Another Sulcata Enclosure (lots of pics!)

[Menno]

Hi there,

Due to fighting I decided to separate my two little hatchlings. A month ago I started to construct a new 200x140cm (6.6 x 4.6ft) enclosure.
Some pictures for you of the construction process;

The design I made:


For material used is water resistant mdf.




This will be the humid area:


I wanted to give it a natural look. That's why I used styrofoam covered with tile cement. This is my custom made styrofoam cutter:


Homemade rocks;







Today I hope to finish the last things. More pictures will follow!

 

[julietteq]

wauw, thanks for posting pics, it is a beautiful enclosure and I Love the rocks ! Cannot wait to see it finished.

 

[wellington]

Great job. Love it and that you made your own styrofoam cutter. Be sure to update with pics when you get it filled and finished.

 

[Jacqui]

Great job! While I love the rocks, for me personally they create a fear. I have saw how well a tortoise can claw and rip up the foam while in a shipping box. My fear would be he would rip up a rock and then eat the white foam. White being something tortoises often can't seem to resist. I am interested to see how well this holds up after a few months of use. Like I said, I do like the rock look. Can't wait to see it all done.

 

[tortoisetime565]

This is really cool! I lined my cage with plexiglass glass. It was very expensive. But when one turtle grows out of it I cause put another smaller one! xD

 

[Menno]

Thanks for all the comments, I will upload more pictures soon!

While I love the rocks, for me personally they create a fear. I have saw how well a tortoise can claw and rip up the foam while in a shipping box. My fear would be he would rip up a rock and then eat the white foam.

Hi Jacqui,

In order to avoid that the tortoises will rip up the foam, I covered the foam with several layers of cement. Now it is as hard as stone. Here are some pictures I have made during another project:

 

[Jacqui]

Okay, so lots of layers not just a thin single one. Does tile cement hold up well? Never used the stuff so these are serious questions and please don't take offense. I always try to find the weakness in any design, even the ones I come up with.

 

[Menno]

Never mind! I think it is a good thing if people are
thinking along.

Yes, tile cement works well. Use the powder-version. This time I smeared six layers on it. The first layer was as thin as pancake batter. The other layers were thicker. You can even put sand on the last layer to give it a more natural look. There are several tutorials on the internet. (See this one: http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/reptile-terrarium.html )

 

[Tom]

This is very cool. Can't wait to see it in actual use.

 

[Laura]

sticky note this one on top of the enclosure thread!
and Note that he says.. after they started fighting.. he had to separate them.....

 

[Menno]

The enclosure so far. I use special clay-sand for his substrate, so he can burrow holes. The whole right part near the rocks will be grass, so he don't get sand in his mouth while eating.






Clay-sand, it is a bit like loam.



Now I have to wait until the seeded grass comes up. When the UV light bulb arrives I can start testing. The next thing to do is finishing the humid area. More pictures will follow!

 

[littleginsu]

so awesome!!! I love the rocks! Did you have to build it on a pallet or something, like, how would you move it if you had to move it?!

 

[Gtphale]

I made a rock wall for my Mbuna fish tank. It's amazing how easy it was even if you have no artistic ability like me. Oh and you enclosure looks great.

 

[Menno]

so awesome!!! I love the rocks! Did you have to build it on a pallet or something, like, how would you move it if you had to move it?!

Due to the strength of the tile cement I could easily move the pieces into the enclosure.

I'm so happy! I just received two packages with tortoise goodies .

On the first picture can you see a Raptor Solar UVB light blub. This HID-lamp has a high UVB output, which is very important for the tortoises. Since I live in the Netherlands they can only for 1-3 months a year walking outside. Solar Raptor test results can you see here: http://www.econlux.de/Documents/PDF/ECONLUX_Portfolio_RaptorStinger_EN-2012.pdf
(Left you can see the box of the ballast. This lamp operates only with a ballast!)


Food dishes:


This is a large bag of what we call 'Agrobs'. It is a bit like Mazuri, but with less proteïn so you can feed it more often.


Today I hope to finish the humid part of the enclosure. More pictures will follow!

 

[julietteq]

Ik zie net dat je uit nederland komt. Wij zitten nu tijdelijk met mijn 2 leo's in New York maar komen over 2 jaar terug. Waar heb je in hemelsnaam Sulcatas gekocht en waar woon je? Ik neem aan ergens met een giga tuin

 

[Menno]

Ik zie net dat je uit nederland komt. Wij zitten nu tijdelijk met mijn 2 leo's in New York maar komen over 2 jaar terug. Waar heb je in hemelsnaam Sulcatas gekocht en waar woon je? Ik neem aan ergens met een giga tuin

Hi Julietteq,

I've sent you a PM

 

[ub3rsh00]

Wow, that is really, really awesome looking. Great job! Love the styrofoam rocks idea! Whole enclosure looks very good.

 

[argus333]

Looks good but seems like a lot of work for something he will out grow in a year? Maybe think a Russian or red foot to put in there.

 

[[email protected]]

Wow it's amazing xx Want to make me one haha joking but you can if u want x No but seriously it's amazing I don't know what to say xx how long did that all take you !!!?


From Chlöe Essex,England

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Oh and ur design and the real thing look so alike !! Is so good


From Chlöe Essex,England

 

[lynnedit]

Amazing enclosure! Looks like a labor of love for you. You will have hours of pleasure watching your tortoise move around.