Double Gular
New Member
Very sturdy Sulcata house build – substrate options
Hi all,
I am building a very strong outdoor house for my adult Sulcata (150lbs, 35 years old). We live in San Diego where weather is warm all year around except for few months. He lives outdoor (our entire backyard with grass) with access to a climate-controlled doghouse where he sleeps at night. I am in the process of building a bigger Tortoise house with all the bells and whistle. I will post some pictures of the build soon. The base of the house is made out of heavy plywood, I would like to waterproof or lay something on top of the substrate so I could rinse off easily. I found some materials at Home Depot, but I think my Sulcata will easily scratch them. Can you recommend something? I am looking for hard surface that is waterproof that can be cut to fit?
My Sulcata house details:
Hi all,
I am building a very strong outdoor house for my adult Sulcata (150lbs, 35 years old). We live in San Diego where weather is warm all year around except for few months. He lives outdoor (our entire backyard with grass) with access to a climate-controlled doghouse where he sleeps at night. I am in the process of building a bigger Tortoise house with all the bells and whistle. I will post some pictures of the build soon. The base of the house is made out of heavy plywood, I would like to waterproof or lay something on top of the substrate so I could rinse off easily. I found some materials at Home Depot, but I think my Sulcata will easily scratch them. Can you recommend something? I am looking for hard surface that is waterproof that can be cut to fit?
My Sulcata house details:
- Dimensions: 4x4x3
- Roof that can be open and close from the top. I might install gas struts
- Framing has been done with 3x3 studs. I had a shop rip 3x6 lumber into 3x3. I think I went little overboard, 2x4 or 2x2 would have been enough.
- ¾ plywood both interior and exterior
- Double Insulation all around
- I will be reusing my Akoma Hound Heater Dog, I am not sure if it will able to heat up 48 cubic feet?
- UVB and UVA light fixture inside
- WI-FY enable Digital thermostat so I can monitor temperature remotely.