Upgrading to greenhouse plastic!

[tinytortoise]

Replacing my ugly plastic today and couldn't be more pleased with the result. I've covered the PVC in black felt adhesive to prevent a reaction between the PVC and Polyethylene, and I love the visual effect! The greenhouse plastic will better facilitate the growth of plants in a bio-active enclosure. I've also got a new plant light for the enclosure - the external lamp in pictures. I'm SO excited to see how this all pairs.

About to get the side panels on as well, once I clean my substrate out!

What do you think? I feel it brings the whole thing to a whole new level, like almost Jurassic Park-ish, especially once there are more plants.

 

[Yvonne G]

That should work!

My actual greenhouse was two layers (outside and inside) of some sort of plastic sheeting similar to what you're using, except it was made especially for greenhouses sitting in the sun. The greenhouse is 20 + years old and the plastic was cracking and splitting. I found a company in San Diego (San Diego Plastics) that sells coroplast, and I bought coroplast panels to replace the old plastic on the greenhouse. What a difference it made in the heating. I use an electric oil-filled radiator at night just to keep the plants from freezing, and now with the coroplast panels, I actually feel real warmth inside the greenhouse, whereas before, it just kept the inside above freezing.

 

[tinytortoise]

That should work!

My actual greenhouse was two layers (outside and inside) of some sort of plastic sheeting similar to what you're using, except it was made especially for greenhouses sitting in the sun. The greenhouse is 20 + years old and the plastic was cracking and splitting. I found a company in San Diego (San Diego Plastics) that sells coroplast, and I bought coroplast panels to replace the old plastic on the greenhouse. What a difference it made in the heating. I use an electric oil-filled radiator at night just to keep the plants from freezing, and now with the coroplast panels, I actually feel real warmth inside the greenhouse, whereas before, it just kept the inside above freezing.

View attachment 263322

Ooo yes I did look into the panels too, just for the wrapping of this frame it wasn't quite doable, for future enclosure upgrade I'd consider it for sure.

The new plastic is greenhouse grade (meant for outside use), 6mil polyethylene, filters bad uv - allowing beneficial light for plants, and anti dust - seems to be working.

It's advertised as 4 years per application, and I have enough plastic for 2 backups, haha. Should see her to adulthood. Or at least until I'm tired of the current enclosure!

Planted loads of seeds last night. Mixing my broad leaf mix with grass to help provide safety for some of the broad sprouts (she doesn't eat much grass, so hoping it protects some of them from her endless hunger).

All in all, waking up this morning being able to see her from outside the enclosure, or even just seeing the glow of light off that basking rock makes me so excited!

 

[Yvonne G]

Yeah. . . ya did good!

 

[tinytortoise]

Someone was up early this morning!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Looks great. I think you should have made the frame a bit longer and deeper so it all sits on the ground. But hey, it’s urs, make it work. Looks good.

 

[tinytortoise]

Looks great. I think you should have made the frame a bit longer and deeper so it all sits on the ground. But hey, it’s urs, make it work. Looks good.

This is the first rendition of the lid. When I do it over I'll definitely change some things. Trying to make the most of it as is. I would really like to secure the back like a hinge, so when I need to open it wont slide, that said, it works pretty well now, maybe when better if I altered where the UVB tube hangs.

 

[tinytortoise]

Sprouts!

 

[tinytortoise]

Day 3, grass emerging! Reintroduced my two snails.

 

[tinytortoise]

Day 4, grass doesn't play around...

 

[tinytortoise]

Day 6, impressed by the new grow light! I think Apis loves it too! (Pretty sure she's sprout hunting in the last picture)

 

[CarolM]

Day 6, impressed by the new grow light! I think Apis loves it too! (Pretty sure she's sprout hunting in the last picture)View attachment 263972View attachment 263973View attachment 263974View attachment 263975View attachment 263976View attachment 263978View attachment 263979

I love this. Well done.

 

[tinytortoise]

I love this. Well done.

Thanks [emoji7]
Here's a shot of her yesterday morning!
Hopefully I'll get another this morning before work.

 

[tinytortoise]

This morning, 2.6.19

 

[Blackdog1714]

That is one BIG,Mean Green Thumb. So jealous.

 

[tinytortoise]

Enclosure update, need mini lawn mower!!

 

[tinytortoise]

It's coming along, she's created her own, second hide, in the grass! Dug a little hole~

 

[CarolM]

It's coming along, she's created her own, second hide, in the grass! Dug a little hole~

Looking good. A happy tort a happy parent.[emoji6]

 

[tinytortoise]

Got a new gadget! Here's some footage from my new remote camera, it automatically detects motion and records short clips. Can also remote in from anywhere and check on her!

Camera: https://www.wyzecam.com/