Finally. I have decided.

[yillt]

Hi. A couple of weeks ago I asked everyone where I could get enclosures. I am a child and I am rubbish at DIY. I live with my mum and she is no better. But I have decided to finally make an enclosure. I have made one before but I had help from my uncle. Please can you give me ideas on how to make them. The measurements and what they should look like. It needs to be fairly simple but big as I want this to last Billy (marginated) for at least another 3 years. He is already almost 3.

 

[tortadise]

What about a water land tub? The biggest one is pretty good size will last 4 maybe 5 more years for a Margie.

 

[yillt]

Ok. I will have a good look at them. Approximately what size does a 3-9 year old margie need.

 

[tortadise]

9 year old female can be good size and will need a rather large enclosure. At that age they can w around 12-16" and 10-15 pounds. So a nice 4x8 at least enclosure for winter and outside would be best. But you guys get pretty cold winters there right?

 

[yillt]

Hi. I just looked at the tubs online. They are SO expensive. I live in the UK and a small one was almost £400.00. I couldn't find any ones that were big enough. All then big ones were accessible only in the US. also yes our winters are quite cold.

 

[tortadise]

Ah damn. Sorry. Yeah they are pretty pricy. But figured a nice big one would be worth the upfront cost and last many years from now. You could just get a large sweater box or tub if they sell them over there. UK differs from USA in regards that we materialize and sell all sorts of crap. Fortunately for us, it gives many options. Maybe a container place or plastic tub manufacturer in London or something. Orrrrrrrr maybe might have to build one like you said.

 

[yillt]

It is SO HARD to find a cage big enough. All the plastic containers are pretty small. Is this sort of thing ok? Obviously I would take the lid off and decorate it. Maybe I would buy 2 and make 2 levels. But would he get confused by the see through plastic as he has never been in a see through box before.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hey, Bella:

Buy some cinder blocks. They're usually about a dollar apiece (appx. .59 pound). You would need about 4 or 5 of them across the small side, 8 or 9 for the long side and then stack them two high. So you would need appx. 50 or 60 of them. And if you stack them up against the wall of the house, or against a fence, you can eliminate blocks for that side and it would be even cheaper.

And forget the "child" description of yourself. You sound way more mature than most 11 year old kids I've dealt with. You are now graduated to "young lady" status!

 

[Yvonne G]

This one is junk and has since been torn down, but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about. Of course, for a 'pen' you wouldn't need a roof over it:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/housing-a-100lb-sulcata.4744/

 

[Yvonne G]

Here's a better look at cinderblocks for a pen:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/inexpensive-and-easy-outdoor-habitat.24972/

 

[yillt]

Hey, Bella:

Buy some cinder blocks. They're usually about a dollar apiece (appx. .59 pound). You would need about 4 or 5 of them across the small side, 8 or 9 for the long side and then stack them two high. So you would need appx. 50 or 60 of them. And if you stack them up against the wall of the house, or against a fence, you can eliminate blocks for that side and it would be even cheaper.

And forget the "child" description of yourself. You sound way more mature than most 11 year old kids I've dealt with. You are now graduated to "young lady" status!

Thank you so much. This summer he will be mostly outside so that is ok. We are movingly house and I want him to move house to. Would putting the cinder blocks in a garage be ok? Would it be to cold? He would have a heat lamp and all that. The garage is big in our new house. I think the floor is stone but I don't know. I would put a massive hard wooden plank down and the substrate on top of that. Instead of a plank of wood I might also put a large hard-plastic bag. The hard plastic is impossible for tortoises to chew. Would the floor be to cold?

 

[Yvonne G]

A lot of folks keep tortoises in the garage or basement. But why can't you set it up outside? It would work in the garage with a piece of plywood down over the cement then substrate on the plywood. But outside you wouldn't need all that or lights either. Or do you mean you'd build it outside then for winter move it into the garage. Yes, that would work.

 

[StuMac]

Hey Bella, are you able to get to a Home Bargains? I bought 3 fence sets there. They were just over £12 for 3 and they are 10 feet when end to end. You could get a few of them and make a squared off pen. They sit around 18 inches high and come with 2 posts with spikes to jam into the ground to secure them. That way, you can plant lots of weeds and bushes, maybe something dug into the ground for a hide or two. Pop a dish for water and some cheap ornaments and BOOM...perfect outdoor are for around £40-£50. Hope this might give u some ideas. Have a look for my Outdoor Enclosure For Slash thread. This will give an idea of what I mean. Good luck!!

 

[yillt]

A lot of folks keep tortoises in the garage or basement. But why can't you set it up outside? It would work in the garage with a piece of plywood down over the cement then substrate on the plywood. But outside you wouldn't need all that or lights either. Or do you mean you'd build it outside then for winter move it into the garage. Yes, that would work.

Yes. That is what I meant. The cinder blocks were a great idea. How didn't I think of that? I am sure BILLY WILL LOVE that. Thanks or all the help.

 

[tortadise]

Yeah outside is best. For inside you may have to build something for sure. I prowled around and it's hard finding anything available over there.

I did find this. But it's not that big though.
http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/hom.../189lt-jumbo-plastic-storage-box-with-lid-p31

 

[yillt]

Hey Bella, are you able to get to a Home Bargains? I bought 3 fence sets there. They were just over £12 for 3 and they are 10 feet when end to end. You could get a few of them and make a squared off pen. They sit around 18 inches high and come with 2 posts with spikes to jam into the ground to secure them. That way, you can plant lots of weeds and bushes, maybe something dug into the ground for a hide or two. Pop a dish for water and some cheap ornaments and BOOM...perfect outdoor are for around £40-£50. Hope this might give u some ideas. Have a look for my Outdoor Enclosure For Slash thread. This will give an idea of what I mean. Good luck!!

Thanks. That is a great idea too. I might do that for the outside enclosure and the cinder blocks for the inside.

 

[yillt]

Yeah outside is best. For inside you may have to build something for sure. I prowled around and it's hard finding anything available over there.

I did find this. But it's not that big though.
http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/hom.../189lt-jumbo-plastic-storage-box-with-lid-p31

I agree. Outside is best. But in winter Billy certainly needs to come inside. Sorry but I think I might drop the IDEa do plastic containers. Because cinder blocks can be extended whenever you need a bigger cage. sorry.

 

[StuMac]

Forgot to say, Poundland sell dried blocks of Coco Coir for £1 each. The bag snips at the top and you pour in 3-4 litres of water. 5 mins later and we have 10 litres of soil. Perfect indoors and out. hold moisture really well!

 

[yillt]

A lot of folks keep tortoises in the garage or basement. But why can't you set it up outside? It would work in the garage with a piece of plywood down over the cement then substrate on the plywood. But outside you wouldn't need all that or lights either. Or do you mean you'd build it outside then for winter move it into the garage. Yes, that would work.

I just realised something. How would I do the light. I don't think there are any plugs in the garage. He can't sit there in the dark. . Oh no. So many problems.

 

[Yvonne G]

You can hang the light/heat from a chain affixed to the ceiling. Very easy to screw into the beams in the garage. No one complains about drilling holes in the garage!