Two questions

[Moozillion]

OK. THis weekend my hubby and I put together the tortoise enclosure for my someday Hermann's. It's 4' x3' x 18". Neither of us has much wood working experience, so there are a number of very small gaps, mostly at the corners where the plywood bows a bit. They're not noticeable unless you get right up to the wall of the enclosure and peek through the joined area.

Question number 1: Should I just leave these little gaps alone to help with air circulation, or should I seal them to keep humidity in? If I need to seal them, will regular caulk or wood putty be OK? (I will be painting the enclosure, but the gaps are just a little too wide to be covered by the paint).

Question number 2: How high above tortoise level should I hang the UV light?

Thanks! (I'm getting excited: we're making progress!!!)

 

[wellington]

I would close them up if you think they are big enough that they could try to use the cracks to climb out. I would use wood putty. As for the light, it depends on the kind you use. It should have a suggest height on the box and then will have to adjust from there if its a mvb.

 

[jtrux]

Well while wood putty is ok im concerned that a piece could break off and be consumed, I prefer type 1 silicone for animal cages.

The UV lights will be fine at the 18" mark so if you have a lid or something to go across the top that would be perfect.

 

[Tom]

Paint won't stick to silicone, but that is my preference for sealing too. If it open topped, there is no need to seal the corners. If it is a closed chamber, some tiny gaps might be okay.

What type of UV bulb? This makes a big difference. Florescent tubes need to be pretty close if you want the UB benefits. Some sources say 12", others say 18" is fine. If its a closed chamber and only 18" tall, you won't be able to use a Mercury Vapor bulb. They are too high wattage and hot. You would probably have to cut a hole in the top, lay in some hardware cloth, and set you bulb on top, but this defeats the purpose of a closed chamber.

 

[mainey34]

Lol..don't worry. My husband did the same thing. Where are the cracks at? The top or the bottom of the enclosure? There are several ways to fix it if it is on the bottom. If its on the top there would be no worry...right? Will it be an indoor enclosure or outdoor?

 

[stasisdc5]

I'd say go with the wood putty. as far as the UV light, the box will indicate the recommended distance. for example my power sun mvb suggests 12" but I tend to raise it up to 15" to lower the temps on a hot day. however, as someone mentioned, UV fluorescent bulbs are not effective at certain distances.so be sure to dou me check that.

 

[Moozillion]

The cracks are both around parts of the floor and where 2 walls join. I'm thinking of silicone caulk.

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It will be an indoor/winter enclosure, so it doesn't need to be weather-proof- just tort proof and keeping some humidity in.

 

[Snowywood]

Sorry to jump on your post, but I noticed your painting your tortoise pen, is this safe as well as varnish? As am in the throws of re-making my tort pen and will use pine wood, will try for natural uncoated pine, but worried if it was varnished it would cause a problem?

 

[Moozillion]

I had asked about sealing the wood, and at least one experienced Hermann's breeder said he uses semi-gloss alkyd latex enamel paint on all his enclosures. Since he's apparently successfully bred torts for years if not decades, that's good enough for me!

 

[Snowywood]

That's good to know! I love the look and smell of uncoated pine, but good to hear that it's not harmful if coated