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.
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.