tortoise table vs tank?

[tinkthetortoise]

hi everyone, my grandad is going to custom build an open top table for my 11 year old russian tort - is this good for them? will the heat stay in alright with the open top? if anyone has any advice at all on building the table, what to use, if it'll even do him any better having an open top - please share!! we currently have a closed tank but the glass is started to crumble in the corners so we think this will be a better option - as well as for my tortoise. any advice or info on this would be great please, thank you in advance.

 

[solidsounds17]

As long as you you have the right size for your tort you should be fine. I’m not sure how much space you have inside but I know Russians require a hefty amount of space. If possible, you’re better of building an outdoor enclosure.

 

[Tom]

hi everyone, my grandad is going to custom build an open top table for my 11 year old russian tort - is this good for them? will the heat stay in alright with the open top? if anyone has any advice at all on building the table, what to use, if it'll even do him any better having an open top - please share!! we currently have a closed tank but the glass is started to crumble in the corners so we think this will be a better option - as well as for my tortoise. any advice or info on this would be great please, thank you in advance.

The heat will not stay in an open table, so if your room temps are cooler than what your tortoise needs, have grandad build a large closed chamber. It can remain relatively dry for an adult Russian, so using wood should be fine. It is super easy and much more efficient to heat a closed chamber than to be constantly trying to warm an open table.

 

[tinkthetortoise]

As long as you you have the right size for your tort you should be fine. I’m not sure how much space you have inside but I know Russians require a hefty amount of space. If possible, you’re better of building an outdoor enclosure.

we would love to build an outdoor enclosure but where i live it's way too cold, on hotter days we take him out for a run around on the grass but that's all we can offer unfortunately. i'm not sure of the exact measurements of his tank but we got it from specialists so i know it's the right amount - they'll stay the same on the new one. i also walk with him around the house quite a lot but never take my eyes off of him so i know he's 100% safe, he loves that

 

[tinkthetortoise]

The heat will not stay in an open table, so if your room temps are cooler than what your tortoise needs, have grandad build a large closed chamber. It can remain relatively dry for an adult Russian, so using wood should be fine. It is super easy and much more efficient to heat a closed chamber than to be constantly trying to warm an open table.

just a thought - do you think it would be alright with half covered half open? or say one side partly covered with netting or something on a hinge that we can open to get to him? would that keep the heat in better? sorry for all of the questions we just want to do what's best - and we've had issues with the glass and the last thing we need is that shattering or something?thank you for this reply it's very helpful!

 

[jeannettep]

The heat will not stay in an open table, so if your room temps are cooler than what your tortoise needs, have grandad build a large closed chamber. It can remain relatively dry for an adult Russian, so using wood should be fine. It is super easy and much more efficient to heat a closed chamber than to be constantly trying to warm an open table.

Tom, could plexiglass be used for a portion on the cover, not where the light or heat element would be or a plexiglass window halfway down on part of the side? Sounds like they might miss not getting to watch their tort. I know I would if I didnt have a camera in there.

 

[Tom]

just a thought - do you think it would be alright with half covered half open? or say one side partly covered with netting or something on a hinge that we can open to get to him? would that keep the heat in better? sorry for all of the questions we just want to do what's best - and we've had issues with the glass and the last thing we need is that shattering or something?thank you for this reply it's very helpful!

If all or half of the top is uncovered, your heat will rise up and into the colder rom air. Physics. Only by closing the environment off from the cold dry room air, can you easily maintain the temps you want. Or, you can heat the entire room to the temperature you want.