Mortybaby
New Member
Hello everyone!
I am building an enclosure for a young sulcata. I have no experience with reptiles. He is currently in a very tiny plastic tub and needs to be in something larger and healthier immediately. I want to complete this enclosure ASAP. I recently got the tortoise from someone who no longer wanted to care for him. I believe it is a male. The age is also unknown, but he is small, palm size.
The new enclosure size is 5x3ft with high walls, untreated wood, and spray painted on the outside.
This is simply the only thing that has been built. I have the material ready, but I wanted to come on here first and ask for advice before finishing the enclosure.
I have read and learned a lot here and these are my ideas:
Indoor, open, no top: I live in NJ and with a parent so he has to stay in my room
Fully line the inside of the enclosure with a pond liner
Staple the liner from the outside so all wood is covered.
2 2x4s parallel to each other, with space in between, above the enclosure
2 incandescent flood bulbs
UVB: HO T5 lighting kit from Arcadia or Reptisun
Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED
both incandescent lights would be next to each other but not on the same 2x4, warm side effect
LED and UVB on separate 2x4
Timer outlet for all lights- 12 hrs
Terra cotta clay saucer
humid hide box on the warm side of the enclosure
Another hide on the opposite end
Humidifier
black slate tile from a hardware store for basking.
Something to accurately read the temperature, humidity, and UVB
Substrate: local reptile store recommended compressed coco fiber
The only things bought are the terra cotta saucer, substrate, pond liner, and Reptisun UVB, which can go unused or returned if better options are needed.
Please let me know if the two 2x4’s to hang lights above the enclosure are okay. I would also appreciate any recommendations for a humidifier, timer outlet, and control system.
Enjoy my art.
Any advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.
I am building an enclosure for a young sulcata. I have no experience with reptiles. He is currently in a very tiny plastic tub and needs to be in something larger and healthier immediately. I want to complete this enclosure ASAP. I recently got the tortoise from someone who no longer wanted to care for him. I believe it is a male. The age is also unknown, but he is small, palm size.
The new enclosure size is 5x3ft with high walls, untreated wood, and spray painted on the outside.
This is simply the only thing that has been built. I have the material ready, but I wanted to come on here first and ask for advice before finishing the enclosure.
I have read and learned a lot here and these are my ideas:
Indoor, open, no top: I live in NJ and with a parent so he has to stay in my room
Fully line the inside of the enclosure with a pond liner
Staple the liner from the outside so all wood is covered.
2 2x4s parallel to each other, with space in between, above the enclosure
Raised- not sure about height.
5 ft. long (length of enclosure)
Purpose: lighting2 incandescent flood bulbs
1 for each 2x4
ceramic base, reflector dome
not sure about the wattageUVB: HO T5 lighting kit from Arcadia or Reptisun
I bought a Reptisun terrarium hood with 5.0 T5 HO 24 W/ 22’ from my local reptile store but can return
Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED
both incandescent lights would be next to each other but not on the same 2x4, warm side effect
LED and UVB on separate 2x4
Timer outlet for all lights- 12 hrs
Zoo Med environmental control center
Terra cotta clay saucer
humid hide box on the warm side of the enclosure
Another hide on the opposite end
Humidifier
black slate tile from a hardware store for basking.
Something to accurately read the temperature, humidity, and UVB
Substrate: local reptile store recommended compressed coco fiber
The only things bought are the terra cotta saucer, substrate, pond liner, and Reptisun UVB, which can go unused or returned if better options are needed.
Please let me know if the two 2x4’s to hang lights above the enclosure are okay. I would also appreciate any recommendations for a humidifier, timer outlet, and control system.
Enjoy my art.
Any advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.