Advice for upcycled cupboard enclosure

[cecemeow]

Hi everyone,

It’s my first time creating an enclosure for my Horsefield torty, William, so I just wanted some tips/advice.

Pictured is the piece of furniture I am in the process of converting into his new home. The idea is the drawer will act as a “tortoise table” and any lights/bulbs can be attached to the inside on the “ceiling”. I’m just wondering what UV strip lights and heater bulbs people recommend? Or if I should use something other than a strip light and heater?

I also want to know if the interior wood needs to be treated with anything and if so, any recommendations for products to use to treat the wood would be appreciated!

Finally, would people recommend including a mister/humidifier in the enclosure for this breed of tort? I currently use a spray bottle to mist his enclosure daily but wondered if a humidifier would be better?

Thank you in advance!

CeCe x

 

[wellington]

What size age is your tortoise?
An adult needs a minimum of a 4x8 and a hatchling needs a closed chamber.
The dresser could be turned into a closed chamber for a hatching but is too small for a juvenile or adult.

 

[cecemeow]

What size age is your tortoise?
An adult needs a minimum of a 4x8 and a hatchling needs a closed chamber.
The dresser could be turned into a closed chamber for a hatching but is too small for a juvenile or adult.

He is 2 years old. I have already researched the size and it is the correct size for him as it is over 6x his length and width. Plus there will be a platform inside for extra surface area and I take him out to roam around daily.

 

[wellington]

If he was bought from a breeder than his age is likely correct
If you bought from a pet store he is likely an adult and much older.
The size would be okay for a short time for a two year old. Not for an adult.
If you want to learn the correct info, you will read the care info from this site. Your choice.

 

[cecemeow]

If he was bought from a breeder than his age is likely correct
If you bought from a pet store he is likely an adult and much older.
The size would be okay for a short time for a two year old. Not for an adult.
If you want to learn the correct info, you will read the care info from this site. Your choice.

He was bought from a breeder and I know his exact birthday. I learn care info from this site and from his vet who specialises in exotic pets. She recommended the size of his enclosure and it is bigger than her recommendation so he can grow into it, but I am aware it is not his forever home.

If you have any advice on the questions I asked, I’d appreciate it. Thanks

 

[wellington]

Okay, that sounds good then.
A tube flourescent for uvb
Incandescent FLOOD bulb for basking
Ceramic heat emitter for any needed day heat and night heat.
Because he is still young, you should keep the humidity up for another year. Fixing plastic or a pop up greenhouse over the enclosure with all lights and heat within the plastic
I would also line the dresser with plastic to help keep it from rotting
Shower curtain liners work fine

 

[cecemeow]

Okay, that sounds good then.
A tube flourescent for uvb
Incandescent FLOOD bulb for basking
Ceramic heat emitter for any needed day heat and night heat.
Because he is still young, you should keep the humidity up for another year. Fixing plastic or a pop up greenhouse over the enclosure with all lights and heat within the plastic
I would also line the dresser with plastic to help keep it from rotting
Shower curtain liners work fine

Great, thank you!
I read that you can also use pond safe epoxy to seal the wood - would you recommend using plastic over using epoxy?

 

[wellington]

Great, thank you!
I read that you can also use pond safe epoxy to seal the wood - would you recommend using plastic over using epoxy?

Either one would be fine. Not sure what the urine on the epoxy would do though.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I could be wrong, the judging by the photos, that looks very small even for a two year old.. it doesn’t look 6ft?

 

[cecemeow]

Either one would be fine. Not sure what the urine on the epoxy would do though.

No problem, I’ll look into it. Thanks for your help!

 

[cecemeow]

I could be wrong, the judging by the photos, that looks very small even for a two year old.. it doesn’t look 6ft?

It’s a lot bigger than it looks. I’ve made sure it’s the correct size - it’s larger than what my vet recommended so he has space, but it won’t be his forever home. I’m aware he’ll need a bigger one once he’s grown a bit more.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It’s a lot bigger than it looks. I’ve made sure it’s the correct size - it’s larger than what my vet recommended so he has space, but it won’t be his forever home. I’m aware he’ll need a bigger one once he’s grown a bit more.

Fair enough, so that draw bit is 6ft in length?if so that will definitely last your two year old a year or two

 

[wellington]

It’s a lot bigger than it looks. I’ve made sure it’s the correct size - it’s larger than what my vet recommended so he has space, but it won’t be his forever home. I’m aware he’ll need a bigger one once he’s grown a bit more.

I think it will be fine for now and you already stated that you realize it will need bigger.
But just an FYI. Most vets have no clue on how to properly care for a tortoise. They give all the old outdated info.
The best for your tortoise is to follow the carsheets on this forum.
Just don't want you to think your vet is a reliable source for care.

 

[Markw84]

He is 2 years old. I have already researched the size and it is the correct size for him as it is over 6x his length and width. Plus there will be a platform inside for extra surface area and I take him out to roam around daily.

Unfortunately wood or upcycled cardboard is not a good material to make a good tortoise enclosure from. It just does not stand up to the higher moisture needed to raise a tortoise. The pond sheild is a good way to try to make it last a bit longer.

More importantly, I know you don't want to hear this, but this is way too small for a Russian tortoise. This looks to be a drawer that is 36" x 18". The very old school rule of at least 6 times the length of the tortoise is way out of date and proven way too small. That is extremely outdated advice you have been given. I know it is normal to trust your vet over the advice here, but your vet is wrong about this. The wisdom gained by years of experience with countless species of tortoises and hundreds of individual tortoises tells a different story about size needed. That will not make a good tortoise enclosure unfortunately.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Unfortunately wood or upcycled cardboard is not a good material to make a good tortoise enclosure from. It just does not stand up to the higher moisture needed to raise a tortoise. The pond sheild is a good way to try to make it last a bit longer.

More importantly, I know you don't want to hear this, but this is way too small for a Russian tortoise. This looks to be a drawer that is 36" x 18". The very old school rule of at least 6 times the length of the tortoise is way out of date and proven way too small. That is extremely outdated advice you have been given. I know it is normal to trust your vet over the advice here, but your vet is wrong about this. The wisdom gained by years of experience with countless species of tortoises and hundreds of individual tortoises tells a different story about size needed. That will not make a good tortoise enclosure unfortunately.

I didn’t think it looked 6 foot length either but obviously I could be wrong. I do however agree that this doesn’t look like it will last as an enclosed chamber needed to maintain 80% humidity! And yep vets will practically advise to put them in a shoebox compared to what they need!
Ultimately I really don’t think this will work as an enclosure either
Perhaps you’ll find this link below helpful!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Markw84]

I didn’t think it looked 6 foot length either but obviously I could be wrong.

The poster never said it was 6ft. The comment was it was over 6 times the length of the tortoise. A long time ago there was a very incorrect standard rule given for size in tortoise enclosures. That was to have it at least 6 times the length of the tortoise. Even back then, anyone who actually kept tortoises knew that was way too small a measure to use.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

The poster never said it was 6ft. The comment was it was over 6 times the length of the tortoise. A long time ago there was a very incorrect standard rule given for size in tortoise enclosures. That was to have it at least 6 times the length of the tortoise. Even back then, anyone who actually kept tortoises knew that was way too small a measure to use.

Oh you’re totally right! I completely misread it! Yeah in that case it’s confirmed my suspicions that it is indeed way too small and I really hope they don’t use it

 

[wellington]

Oh you’re totally right! I completely misread it! Yeah in that case it’s confirmed my suspicions that it is indeed way too small and I really hope they don’t use it

They have been advised from the get go. If you read the response to my first post, it's not likely going to change. If I read it correctly, they will be having a second level. Luckily they know it's not going to last forever and that the tort will need bigger.
Hopefully they will learn enough from this forum to realize the vet is wrong.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

They have been advised from the get go. If you read the response to my first post, it's not likely going to change. If I read it correctly, they will be having a second level. Luckily they know it's not going to last forever and that the tort will need bigger.
Hopefully they will learn enough from this forum to realize the vet is wrong.

I do worry even with a second level this isn’t going to be appropriate but yeah at least it won’t be forever, but even just over a year at this point, they’re two now, so a three year old shouldn’t be in this, I don’t see it lasting long at all