so i have RF and Tom on here suggested i build a closed chambers. im having trouble finding any instructions or even materials (besides plywood obviously) to use so if anyone can show me more detailed pictures or a materials list or a general price of how much itll cost i'll really appreciate it. thank you for your time.
closed chambers
- Thread starter baldegale
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Is it a baby?
For babies you can get a year or even two with a low sided, wide glass aquarium. One with a strip UV light mounted inside the lid and a lid consisting on a piece or two of plexiglass.
It's what I would do because it's simple and it works and it will afford you the time it may take to build a much larger one. (If you are planning to keep it indoors long term.)
If you are keeping an adult or a sub adult, you'll need a large rectangular or square frame work with a waterproof liner, a substrate that can hold humidity and a covering that covers most of the enclosure. Temps of as low as 70 at night and 80-90 during the day. Humidity up over 75% and no bright lights, but a good source of UV. No spiral shaped compact CFL bulbs.
For babies you can get a year or even two with a low sided, wide glass aquarium. One with a strip UV light mounted inside the lid and a lid consisting on a piece or two of plexiglass.
It's what I would do because it's simple and it works and it will afford you the time it may take to build a much larger one. (If you are planning to keep it indoors long term.)
If you are keeping an adult or a sub adult, you'll need a large rectangular or square frame work with a waterproof liner, a substrate that can hold humidity and a covering that covers most of the enclosure. Temps of as low as 70 at night and 80-90 during the day. Humidity up over 75% and no bright lights, but a good source of UV. No spiral shaped compact CFL bulbs.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 29,130
- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
What are you using right now?
Include some photos and we can help you tweak what you have to get you going in the correct direction right away.
Include some photos and we can help you tweak what you have to get you going in the correct direction right away.
im just using a low 4x4 plywood box with an inner plastic liner and coco husk substrate. im not home so i dont have any pictures its really hard to keep it humid. also my RF is 5-7 i dont really know exactly but hes not really a baby. i would also use a UVB like this. ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQU8F2O/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20 )i live in an apartment so i cant leave him out like id want to.
Where are you located? If your RF is 5-7 years old, he needs an outdoor enclosure. If you live where it gets cold, he needs a large indoor enclosure for the cold months or a heated shed.
I build mine out of plywood and 2x4s. You can line the bottom of the inside with plastic, or try to find something suitable to "paint" it with, which isn't easy. Lots of conflicting info about this. I've used non-toxic boat paint that is meant to be submerged and I've used "DryLok". Anything bought at a hardware store is not designed to be constantly wet. Not epoxy, not water sealers, not shellac, none of it…
The boat paint works great, but its expensive, relatively speaking.
The boat paint works great, but its expensive, relatively speaking.
- Joined
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- Location (City and/or State)
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That T5 light is great.
But as stated, you need a lot of room for a sub adult Redfoot.
Mine are all the age of yours and all live outdoors, so I honestly can't say what would work.
You need more room.
Try to section off an area of at least 8x8 feet.
The best way to hold in humidity is by covering it. But large indoor enclosures present difficulties.
But as stated, you need a lot of room for a sub adult Redfoot.
Mine are all the age of yours and all live outdoors, so I honestly can't say what would work.
You need more room.
Try to section off an area of at least 8x8 feet.
The best way to hold in humidity is by covering it. But large indoor enclosures present difficulties.
tom's the man for a closed set up!
ed's the man for red's!!
if it helps, i'll post my build however it's for a hermans
in scotland
ed's the man for red's!!
if it helps, i'll post my build however it's for a hermans
in scotland
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index....build...-gonna-be-a-lot-of-questions!.120689/
i would change things,
. don't tarp walls, they climb.
.. don't use plexiglass, it warps.
.. 'box in' glass runners to keep out substrate.
have you read toms tread on closed chambers?
i would change things,
. don't tarp walls, they climb.
.. don't use plexiglass, it warps.
.. 'box in' glass runners to keep out substrate.
have you read toms tread on closed chambers?
where i live currently thats physically impossible. until i move out at least (a year or two) the maximum i can do is 4x8-4x10 max. i cant fit anything bigger. i wish i could keep mine outside but its not possible, should i sell him to someone that can provide better? i just want whats best for him.
i guess it depends in size and age, perhaps you could have a temporary solution until?
If he's five or seven years old, then, in my opinion, he has outgrown the need for a closed chamber. Just build him the biggest enclosure you have room for, then figure out a way to drape a sheet of plastic film over it. This will keep the cooler air from the house out and the warm, moist air inside. Pour water over the substrate then mix it up with your hand and as it dries out, add more water - but try to keep the top layer more dry to avoid shell rot. As you have to add more water, add it in the corner so it flows down under the substrate.
You can build a frame out of wood or pipe or PVC to support the lights and the plastic film. Here's what I'm talking about:
(Believe it or not, that was clean water about a half hour ago. Darned box turtles!)
You can build a frame out of wood or pipe or PVC to support the lights and the plastic film. Here's what I'm talking about:
(Believe it or not, that was clean water about a half hour ago. Darned box turtles!)
thats what i was thinking. hes 5-7 i dont remember how old he was when i got him but his shell is about the size of my hand so probably around 6-7 maybe 8 inches from head to tail. i just want the best i can do and i have about a $600 budget. i'm currently trying to figure out a way to fit an 8x8 in my room but i dont know
i was just looking into the closed chambers because it is really hard to keep things in my room humid and its hard to do something open because i have cats and such. i should probably start looking for someone that can provide better for him
What does the Carapace(shell) measure.
Measure it without bending the tape measure to the shape of your torts carapace. It's called SCL(straight carapace length)
this is the best i can do right now cause im out of state, ill be home later but his shell goes from red line to red line (just his shell)
(sorry if this doesnt help at all)
Unless you have a big basement or garage which us apartment dwellers do not a indoor 8x8 truly isn't possible it would be a pain to make and heat and probably be a eye sore
My redfoot tort is about 9.5 inches and just over 5 lbs, and is about 5 years old. For right now he lives in a 6 foot by 3 foot wooden box when indoors. It is covered in heavy clear plastic shower curtains. I use a heat bulb at each end of the enclosure and one uvb tube across the middle. I use long fibred sphagnum moss as substrate. Here's photo but keep in mind this is in my basement so I don't mind that it isn't beautiful! I personally don't think you have to go 8 x 8. In this 6 x 3 I'm able to regulate temps and humidity to provide a good environment for him. 8 x 4 enclosure would be better, but he's happy in this 6 x 3. I'll be working on an 8 x 4 probably in the fall.
