Finally! Tort barn almost complete

pugsandkids

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Hi guys, I’m Sarah, only a few will remember me but I’ve been a member of TFO for awhile now. I have two sullys and one russian.
My first sully is stunted from poor growth her first few years (before she came to me) so she’s not too hard to house. However I took in a large rescue two years ago. Intending of course to build his barn right away, but you know, life happened.
This weekend we finally got a large part of the build knocked out.IMG_3241.jpg

What’s left includes the heater box, sensor and thermostat. What is everyone using now?
 

wellington

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How big is your sully? The box looks very nice but looks too small for an adult sully. I know you said you have one stunted one, maybe that's his house? I believe a 4x6 or 4x8 is the size @Tom builds for his sullys.
Check out his night box threads.
 

pugsandkids

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Toms night box thread was our main inspiration. This is 4x4, the door is 20” wide, at the moment Sarge is 15” wide. We know we may be building another at some point [emoji57]
 

SULCY

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Did you insulate the box it makes a tremendous difference. Helps keep your electric bill down.
 

Big Charlie

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Where are you located? If you have room inside, most people are using radiators these days. It helps in adding humidity. Others, like me, use radiant heat panels on the roof and kane heat mats on the floor. The thermostat I use can have two things plugged in, so I plug in both the RHP and the Kane and set it to 80F. For the door, you will probably want plastic door flaps to keep the heat in while letting him go in and out.
 

Maro2Bear

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Looking good there... but where are you located? This will help you and everyone best decide what you need inside. Mini oil heater, radiant heat panel, Kane-type pib blanket on the flood, etc.

Keep the updates coming.
 

pugsandkids

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We did insulate all sides with R-7.5 insulation. We are in southern Oregon, planning on using a radiant oil heater, box to be built against the rear wall, plastic flaps at the door as well.
 

Tom

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Looks nice!

I think the door is a lot taller than it needs to be, and you will lose a fair amount of heat that way in the colder months. I would put some sort of solid blocker there. Maybe a section of 2x10 in the opening with another section attached to the inside of the box to mount it to. You can always easily cut some off when he grows taller. And on your next build, I think you'll find it much easier and more efficient to maintain temps with a lower over all internal height. Your box looks to be about 48" tall, but your tortoise is only using the bottom 9 or 10" of it. Your are heating another 39" of air column for no reason, and since heat rises, it will take much more heat to get the floor temps correct in a taller box. A 4" computer fan set on low RPMs might help push the warmer air down for you.
 

pugsandkids

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Looks nice!

I think the door is a lot taller than it needs to be, and you will lose a fair amount of heat that way in the colder months. I would put some sort of solid blocker there. Maybe a section of 2x10 in the opening with another section attached to the inside of the box to mount it to. You can always easily cut some off when he grows taller. And on your next build, I think you'll find it much easier and more efficient to maintain temps with a lower over all internal height. Your box looks to be about 48" tall, but your tortoise is only using the bottom 9 or 10" of it. Your are heating another 39" of air column for no reason, and since heat rises, it will take much more heat to get the floor temps correct in a taller box. A 4" computer fan set on low RPMs might help push the warmer air down for you.

Thanks Tom,
What are you using for thermostats/sensors? Hubby’s already making fun of me running out in the middle of the night this winter to open the box and check temps [emoji849]
Ya I might, but technology could help with that [emoji23]
 

Markw84

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Thanks Tom,
What are you using for thermostats/sensors? Hubby’s already making fun of me running out in the middle of the night this winter to open the box and check temps [emoji849]
Ya I might, but technology could help with that [emoji23]
The most inexpensive solution if your night box isn't too far (less than 80 feet or so) from your, would be to get a simple wireless digital thermometer/hygrometer with remote probes. You can put the main unit in the house and the remote probe (s) in the night box. The readout in the house will show the temperature there as well as the temperature at the remote probe. This is one I have used has three remote probes:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FX8ZGOO/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

For a more complete view of temperatures and graphs monitoring past temperatures so you can check a complete history of temps to see if temps maintained or dropped too much overnight at any time, I use a remote digital temperature/humidity logger by SensorPush. A single unit is $50 and connects by bluetooth to your smart phone by installing a free app. Really easy to use and set up. Whenever you are in bluetooth range of the sensor (usually about 60-100 feet depending upon walls in the way) the app automatically uploads all temperature data to your phone. When you are out of range, the sensor stores data and then downloads to your phone when you again get in range. I love this for my enclosures, night boxes and incubators as I can really see how well temperatures and humidity is actually maintained instead of just getting an instant reading just when I look. SensorPush also makes a wifi gateway you can connect your sensor (or multiple sensors to) that will allow your phone to update and see realtime readings anytime and anywhere you have internet access. ON a trip or vacation I can check temps and if I see an issue, call the housesitter or a friend and have them check things out. The gateway is $100 but has been well worth it to me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AEQ9X9I/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
 

pugsandkids

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The most inexpensive solution if your night box isn't too far (less than 80 feet or so) from your, would be to get a simple wireless digital thermometer/hygrometer with remote probes. You can put the main unit in the house and the remote probe (s) in the night box. The readout in the house will show the temperature there as well as the temperature at the remote probe. This is one I have used has three remote probes:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FX8ZGOO/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

For a more complete view of temperatures and graphs monitoring past temperatures so you can check a complete history of temps to see if temps maintained or dropped too much overnight at any time, I use a remote digital temperature/humidity logger by SensorPush. A single unit is $50 and connects by bluetooth to your smart phone by installing a free app. Really easy to use and set up. Whenever you are in bluetooth range of the sensor (usually about 60-100 feet depending upon walls in the way) the app automatically uploads all temperature data to your phone. When you are out of range, the sensor stores data and then downloads to your phone when you again get in range. I love this for my enclosures, night boxes and incubators as I can really see how well temperatures and humidity is actually maintained instead of just getting an instant reading just when I look. SensorPush also makes a wifi gateway you can connect your sensor (or multiple sensors to) that will allow your phone to update and see realtime readings anytime and anywhere you have internet access. ON a trip or vacation I can check temps and if I see an issue, call the housesitter or a friend and have them check things out. The gateway is $100 but has been well worth it to me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AEQ9X9I/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Bingo!
I’ll need one of my boys to set it up for me, but that’s the one I want. I’ve been reading about them, it’s just nerve wracking to purchase without any real feedback.
The youngest is about to start his senior year of high school, so we are on the brink of getting to do some extended traveling. I want to be positive I’ve got all the failsafes in place and working well before then.
Thank you [emoji4]
 
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pugsandkids

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Question for those with two levels in their “barn”.
Looking at the barn, I’m considering using some cleats to create an area for my smaller guys, using all that dead space.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks for managing temps this way?
 
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