New enclosure for baby DT

MoreCowbellAz

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I have an 8 month old (I think) baby DT, growing quick so I built him a new larger enclosure. It's 48x36, made of expanded PVC, orchid bark substrate. I'm just about done with arranging the features inside, still want to to put a few live plants in there and experiment with the placement of things, but it's about ready for him to move in. I'm getting the lighting squared away still, then it'll be good to go. It's a bit hard to see, but he's got a couple hides (one of the "warm" side one on the "cool" side), and some things to climb on. He seems to be taking to it, although I haven't moved him in permanently, he still has his smaller enclosure until I move the lighting over.

Anyway, it turned out really well I think, I'm happy with it so far.
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Tom

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This is fantastic! You did a fine job.

Where did you find the PVC sheets? How did you cut it? How did you join it together at the seams? Glue or screws?
 

MoreCowbellAz

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Some more pics when it was under construction, plus a couple for scale where you can see little BabyT (3"). Wccmog10 and Sterant were instrumental in advising, as was Tom (who I continue to bug to death, thanks!). It's 48x36x14, perfect for one 48x96 sheet. I found the 1/2" PVC sheets at PolymerShapes here in Phoenix, I sent them a home made cut sheet with dimensions and they cut it to perfection, dead on with the measurements and 100% square. Then I used #4 wood screws 1.25" long and PVC glue for all the seams. I also made a "floor frame" out of 3/4"x 3" boards for support, the enclosure just sits on top of it. Makes it easy to move without stressing the PVC.

I actually bought two sheets, cut exactly the same, just in case I botched one. It went together perfect though. I was very methodical, measured very carefully, and I used a framing square in assembly.

The most frustrating part of the whole project was sourcing the materials. I've learned I really suck at finding stuff, and I put a lot of time into it but needed help from the aforementioned folks. Had a heck of a time finding 1/2" PVC, and even orchid bark was a major pain. For the bark, at least here in Phoenix, you can forget about Lowes or Home Depot or hardware stores, at least for a large bag. Nada. I found exactly one place that had it, Summer Winds Nursery in Phoenix.

The green plant you see is a 6" tray of cat grass that I'll rotate with another, and I have other trays with bermuda, an aloe, and whatever else I can think of as I go. That "corner" thing is to emulate his favorite basking spot from his old enclosure, he like that "corner" to nestle into and it's spatially similar to his old enclosure. He likes to come out of his overnight hide and head to his basking corner, so I made this spatially the same so it was familiar to him. LOL. Hey it works, he's sleeping right there as I'm typing this.

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Tom

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Reading your post here reminds me of why tortoise keeping is such a great adventure and learning experience. My tortoises have enriched my life and taught me soooooo much over the years. Looks like yours is doing the same for you! :)
 

Lokkje

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I was so excited to read your post. I live in Phoenix and I know that you can’t find the Orchard Bark at Home Depot or Lowe’s. It’s great to find out about a place other than Amazon that I can resource it. I also am very excited because I’m going to be getting an enclosure for my leopard from Mark shortly and I’m not handy at all but it’s nice to see where you can order supplies to build housing for tortoises in Phoenix. Thank you for sharing all that information and your housing is great. I miss my desert tortoises as I am down to only three (one male two female) and I used to have quite a bit more as they were breeding in the backyard. My original fertile male died and his offspring started breeding but I kept an infertile male with 2 females as I’m getting up there in years and people didn’t want to take my tortoises after my death. (What a cheerful thought.) I miss finding the clutches and taking care of the hatchlings. Good luck with your baby and thanks again for sharing the information.
 

MoreCowbellAz

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Yes I am learning a lot, and it's sometimes really stressful because I'm on a learning curve and I get unsure of myself, but it makes me feel good to provide a safe and healthy home for this little creature that was orphaned and a certain goner. He found me, not the other way around, so I'm stepping up and have been since 9/14/19 when he showed up in a retention basin in the middle of metro Phoenix hubub, 1/4 mile from a freeway.

Lokkje - Feel free to let me know if I can help you, I'm a novice still but happy to share what I've learned.

Lighting is now done, and today BabyT (to be permanently named once I know the sex) moves full time into his new enclosure. I've been phasing him in for a few days while I fine tune, he spent about half day yesterday in there and didn't seen particularly stressed, he wandered around, ate, found a napping spot, all the normal stuff.

I couple more notes on the build..............as I said I used screws and glue for all the seams, and I also used marine caulking for all the interior seams just to be sure it was water tight. Probably didn't need it but I figured it couldn't hurt. I plan on keeping the orchid bark inside damp, haven't put any water on it yet but will prob do that today.

Also, I'd never try to cut that PVC myself, it's critical all the seams and edges are 100% flat and square or else you'll never get a good glue joint. On a 4' seem there's a LOT of room for it to go wrong especially since the material is pretty soft. That's everything if you want it to be solid.

Wish us luck with the new digs!
 

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