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.