Composite enclosure build for our Redfooted.

[JN75]

Enclosure mold.
mold release appliedwhite gelcoat backed up by black.Lamination finished.Pulled out of mold and polished part.Insulation and window installed.Lugarti substrate and Lugarti lighting installed. We've used all Lugarti products.
The enclosure maintains 90% + humidty even on a 100 degree California day. We tried other substrates for moisture in our original small enclosure. No other substrate maintained the higher humidity our Redfoot needs like Lugarti does.
Misting system installed for live plants. Along with some artificial plants.

 

[TammyJ]

Wow. That's taking time and using your skills! Where are the tortoises?

 

[Tom]

I couldn't figure out why anyone would make an enclosure shaped like that. Now I see that it is not an enclosure, it is an enclosure lid. Makes sense now. If you are going to keep a tortoise in the wrong climate, then what you have done is the way it should be done. That looks amazing and from what you said, it functions very well. You done an amazing job of designing and executing a solution to your problem. Well done.

The Lugarti substrate is a problem. Its made with sand and soil, both of which should never be used as substrate for tortoises. Humidity is a function of moisture levels. One substrate doesn't work any better than any other for this. Orchid bark is safe, and it maintains the necessary dry surface layer to prevent shell rot, while still being damp underneath for humidity. You can also get it cheaper in bulk here in CA.

Welcome to the forum. Check this out. It is for people new to the forum, not necessarily new to tortoises:

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[ZEROPILOT]

I'm in awe of those carpentry skills.
You've created what is easily one of the most pleasant to the eye enclosures I've ever seen.

 

[mojo_1]

That is a great looking enclosure.

 

[JN75]

The pic shows the substrate I used. Lugarti Natural Reptile Bedding. Been using it for years with no issues.

 

[mojo_1]

The part that I find concerning about the substrate you are using is this, sphagnum peat moss, extremely fine sand both can have a negative impact on the tortoise.