A Couple Terrariums

[ripper7777777]

I just re-did these two terrariums and thought I'd post a couple pics.



This is Peanut's newly decorated home, the grass weeds are from the yard, I replace them as they get eaten or squashed.

This is Scarlet and Candace. Scarlet was a spur of the moment Black Friday thing, I was actually buying fancy guppies for my daughter on sale when I spotted Scarlet. Candace was bought when my wife was looking for a male RF or hoping to find a male RF, we got Candace out and her eyes were dried shut and she was skin and bones, even though I did not want another Redfoot right now I couldn't put her back. Oh and I know I only supported the petco pet trade, but at that moment all that mattered was the little tort in my hands, but I did educate the people there, who seemed very embarrassed by their lack of knowledge. Candace came home enjoyed a soak and ate a ton of greens and fruit.

So this terrarium was bought and purchased also on black friday and is their temp home until spring, about February here, than they will get a proper outdoor tort table.

 

[Morty the Torty]

I love it! What did you use to build that little bridge?

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And what size are your tanks?

 

[Melly-n-shorty]

Those look really nice!!

 

[ripper7777777]

Sorry, forgot the specs.

Tanks are 40 gallon breeders, one has a 10 gallon tank light the other has a 8 buck fluorescent light mounted inside, tank lights are just way overpriced.

Substrate - Yard dirt, top soil and coir with cypress mulch top dressing

Broken slate tile covers the hide in peanuts cage.

Hide is made from Coroplast hot glued together to make plastic box. It's filled with cypress mulch and peat moss, no soil in there.

The lofts are made from pvc pipe for the legs and 3/16" white acrylic for the base. The handrail is coroplast and the ramp is also coroplast with a nonslip drawer liner cut and glued to fit. The ramp is velcro'd in place for easy removal.

The lids are made from coroplast and angled aluminum.

The insulation is thin bubblewrap type insulation from lowes.

Heat lamps are on dimmers.

Peanuts home has UVB tube, the redfoots have just full spectrum, doubt I need the UVB in any of my terrariums, they go out every chance they get.

The gnome statue is my wifes, she wants gnomes and other things in her garden when we move to the country, so this is the start.



For those that don't know, Coroplast is a lightweight plastic, it's like plastic cardboard. It comes in different thicknesses, it's cheap and very easy to work with. I use x-actos to cut it and hot glue to assemble stuff with it. You can get it from Plastic Retailers in 4'x8' sheets or Check sign shops, they actually throw away more than you'd probably ever use. If you let them know it's for something other than signs they may sell the scraps really cheap or give them to you. When I managed a Fastsigns I was always happy to see scraps go to crafts or projects instead of the trash bin.





Next I plan to design and CNC cut me some feeding dishes, I'm yet to find the right dish, I currently use tupperware lids which work but the torts push the food out.

 

[FBody355]

Nice set ups!

 

[terryo]

Great Viv's. I like how you gave them extra space with the upper level. I love breeder tanks.

 

[ShadowRancher]

Very cool, I like the lofts. Thats a great idea to use the PVC.

 

[pdrobber]

that looks great! it looks like they actually use the ramps, which is awesome. a lot that we see here are just too steep, long, lacking traction, or real motive for tortoises to walk up them.

 

[Talka]

d'aww they're adorable!
Awesome terrariums!

 

[lynnedit]

Those are beautiful! I love that you rescued Candace. Sometimes you just have to do it.
Really nice examples of good Redfoot indoor enclosures.

 

[Tom]

Great enclosures. I love the multiple levels and little cave under the ramp. Good stuff.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

 

[TORTOISEMAN1]

very cool!!

 

[Floof]

Those are gorgeous! I love the insulation idea, too. Do you mind my asking, what you attached it with? I'm thinking I'll have to try that with my little Leo... Always looking for ways to hold that heat in better (and reduce my electric bill a little, lol).

 

[Vlad]

I ve never seen a cage so cool.

 

[turtlemann2]

i agree, thats a very good use of space in fact i think i may copy a few of your ideas : )

 

[FBody355]

I'm just curious, are you ever afraid of them falling off the edge of the ramp? I'm thinking of a ramp, but maybe putting sides on it. Especially since my little guy is just a little hatchling!

 

[ripper7777777]

Those are gorgeous! I love the insulation idea, too. Do you mind my asking, what you attached it with? I'm thinking I'll have to try that with my little Leo... Always looking for ways to hold that heat in better (and reduce my electric bill a little, lol).

It's very simple, I really like this insulation, I had planned on using sheet material but I found this roll and it was the exact height I needed.

You need a small amount of air space between it and the glass, So I cut some plastic and framed out the glass. Basically I put 3/4" strips running from top to bottom connecting the plastic trim on the aquarium. I then used double sided tape all around the perimeters and applied the insulation.

I also applied insulation to the inside of the lid and I cover with towels at night, our house is poorly designed and insulated (old) so it gets cold in here.

I'm just curious, are you ever afraid of them falling off the edge of the ramp? I'm thinking of a ramp, but maybe putting sides on it. Especially since my little guy is just a little hatchling!

Actually, Peanuts ramp has a handrail, I'm not saying the redfoots are smarter or won't fall off, they just seem to be more laid back and take their time getting from one place to the next. Peanut is always exploring and seeing what she can get into.

Although I did have Scarlet smash into my hand one time charging out of her hide when I put some Mazuri in there, so she can and will move fast with motivation.


The hand rail is also the coroplast hot glued on.

i agree, thats a very good use of space in fact i think i may copy a few of your ideas : )

Thanks and feel free to copy or use whatever for inspiration, my greatest ideas are often inspired from others brilliance.