My 1st Enclosure Build

CandyAss

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A bookcase + PVC frame + corregated roof panels + plexiglass = happy tortoises
This is the [mostly] finished result. I have pictures of the different stages of building, but I'll post those another time. The interior deminsions are 56×28×11.5
I sealed the bookcase with FlexSeal (which has a minty scent while wet, but is odorless once cured). I used the clear version, because I wanted to keep the "wood" grain visible. That made it really difficult to see spots that were missed or thin, but I'm glad I put in the extra effort! I think I did 5 coats on the bottom and 3 on the sides.
I still need to put the sliding plexiglass doors on. I'm waiting until I'm totally finished messing around with the substrate, plants, and furniture.
I have more plants to add, but they're still just wee sprouts. They ate one of the dandelion plants down to nubbins within the first 24 hours after moving in! In the mean time I came up with a way to offer greens that they can eat in a more natural manner.
They've been moved in for 2 weeks now and I couldn't be happier with their response! They're more active, eating like horses, and sharing burrow space without piling on top of each other.

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CandyAss

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Screenshot_2019-03-03-17-35-58.pngNot sure why this reply isn't showing up in the thread. Maybe @PA2019 deleted it, but I'll answer anyway.
I chose materials based on several things, but the main requirement was I needed to be able to cut it easily without the use of power tools, beyond a Dremel. I chose the corregated panels specifically because they are made of clear PVC and cost $15 for a 26"×96" panel.
I was attempting to make exactly what you see - an enclosed, but not airtight, pen. I'm concerned with keeping heat, not humidity, in. In fact, the panels on top are removable, since summer temps where I live will negate the need for all supplemental heat, except for the basking spot, and I don't want to slow cook my tortoises. It doesn't really matter what the humidity is 10 inches or more above the tortoise's back, and I don't want my Desert Tortoises to develop URDS. I have a temperature and humidity probe in their burrow, as well as one at their basking spot (added after the pictures were taken). I purposely planted live plants by their basking spot to provide moisture, and I water the plants twice a day to take advantage of evaporation. The substrate under the slate basking rocks is 4" of coco coir, and the layer of DG helps hold the moisture. The moist heat from the basking area, as well as moisture from the live plants seems to be sufficient. If that changes in the future, it's an easy process to seal gaps.
I would take another picture, but the lights are programmed for 5am-7pm and it's 7:12. I have no experience building things that need to have exact angles, and if you look closely that's obvious. If I were doing this as a paid gig, that sort of thing would be a problem. Luckily, this is for me and it's in our music room, where the only people likely to see it are my husband, house guests that are ok sleeping in a cramped twin bed, and me.
 

PA2019

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Yup, I deleted my post right after submitting because I wanted to wait to see more pictures before commenting. But, you explained yourself perfectly so never mind, good luck!
 

Chasen

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Nice build. You might want to make sure the "deadfall" rock is firmly secured and doesn't slide out at the bottom.
 

CandyAss

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Nice build. You might want to make sure the "deadfall" rock is firmly secured and doesn't slide out at the bottom.
I did take that into consideration. There's a strip of marble glued to the floor, hidden by the substrate.
 

Yvonne G

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This is such a nice enclosure. And I really love those babies. I don't think you need to worry about the babies getting URDS, as that's a contagious disease that they get from other tortoises, not from humidity. I have 13, well only 4 left now, hatchling desert tortoises living in a totally closed Vision cage and they're doing just great with all that heat and humidity.

You've put a lot of thought and effort into making a very eye pleasing, as well as comfortable for the tortoises enclosure. I love it.
 

CandyAss

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This is such a nice enclosure. And I really love those babies. I don't think you need to worry about the babies getting URDS, as that's a contagious disease that they get from other tortoises, not from humidity. I have 13, well only 4 left now, hatchling desert tortoises living in a totally closed Vision cage and they're doing just great with all that heat and humidity.

You've put a lot of thought and effort into making a very eye pleasing, as well as comfortable for the tortoises enclosure. I love it.
Thanks Yvonne! I appreciate your feedback. I looked at a lot of your posts before and during this build. I'm trying to balance the advice found here with that of people who swear by keeping DT outside from the start. It's a fools errand, but here I am.
The (much) smaller enclosure they were in before had much higher humidity, and less of a temperature gradient. For the last 2 1/2 months they seemed uncomfortable, and their appetite had dropped. I tried changing what I could, but nothing made much of a difference. Now that they've been in their new enclosure with more than triple the space and better options for temperature regulation, they have perked back up and are devouring food again. It's amazing how much food three little tortoises can consume!
I'm keeping a close watch of their shell development. They get daily soaks and I wipe them off with a damp sponge as needed, because somebody always manages to get poop on their shell.
The "lid" of the enclosure is taller than needed, but I wanted to make sure I had enough room to adjust the position of lamps and heat sources. I don't have central A/C, just a single window type A/C unit in the living room. We get big temperature swings in spring and fall - from the high 30's in the morning to low 90's in the afternoon. I've got a thermostat for the CHE, but the basking lamp is a MVB. As soon as they're back in stock I plan to switch out the MVB for the Arcadia Deep Heat Projector. I have a 24" fluorescent T5 HO fixture to pair with it that I think will work better for my situation.
I guess the theme of this enclosure is really "what works best for my situation, right now". Nothing about the setup is so precious that I can't change it if I find it doesn't work (except the placement of the enclosure itself). My first thought for every aspect was how would the tortoises benefit from this, followed by how could they be injured by this. I tried to think of the worst case scenario of everything I put into the enclosure and if I couldn't think of a way to prevent such scenario, I didn't put it in. For example, the sandstone pavers that make their burrow are on a pvc frame. They can dig all they want and I don't have to worry about a collapse. I can also remove the pavers to check on them or adjust the placement of the temp/humidity probe.
I know everyone here has the welfare of tortoises as their priority, but I do wish they would consider using a less accusatory tone when questioning why or how something was done. I appreciate Yvonne's approach.
 

queen koopa

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“My first thought for every aspect was how would the tortoises benefit from this, followed by how could they be injured by this.”
The bases of all tortoise Enclosures.

I think you covered everything! Great build. Love to see ur torts reaching and eating their live plants!! And I like the bunch tied and hanging down in the enclosure!
 

Flee

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Feb 20, 2019
Messages
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Location (City and/or State)
Atlanta, GA.
A bookcase + PVC frame + corregated roof panels + plexiglass = happy tortoises
This is the [mostly] finished result. I have pictures of the different stages of building, but I'll post those another time. The interior deminsions are 56×28×11.5
I sealed the bookcase with FlexSeal (which has a minty scent while wet, but is odorless once cured). I used the clear version, because I wanted to keep the "wood" grain visible. That made it really difficult to see spots that were missed or thin, but I'm glad I put in the extra effort! I think I did 5 coats on the bottom and 3 on the sides.
I still need to put the sliding plexiglass doors on. I'm waiting until I'm totally finished messing around with the substrate, plants, and furniture.
I have more plants to add, but they're still just wee sprouts. They ate one of the dandelion plants down to nubbins within the first 24 hours after moving in! In the mean time I came up with a way to offer greens that they can eat in a more natural manner.
They've been moved in for 2 weeks now and I couldn't be happier with their response! They're more active, eating like horses, and sharing burrow space without piling on top of each other.

View attachment 266376 View attachment 266377 View attachment 266378 View attachment 266379 View attachment 266380 View attachment 266381
This a great build. I'm working a chest of drawers for my buddy. Do you mind my asking how the PVC pipes are attached? I love the clear walls and thanks for the Flexseal idea. Is there a cover over the top and is it the same material as the walls? You did an amazing job! Of course you have happy torts!
 

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