Cooling down outdoor enclosure

[macyfidlerr]

My tort has lately gotten very antsy and unsatisfied in his indoor enclosure but temps in TX have been exceeding 90 degrees F so I am having a hard time cooling down his outdoor enclosure. Any suggestions? I have tried to use sunshades you put in your car windshield to cool down over it as well as watering a lot but it seems the temps aren't really changing. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you.

 

[dmmj]

trees are nature's air conditioner. They work the best in keeping an area cool.

 

[Yvonne G]

Some people set up market umbrellas over the west side of an outdoor enclosure, but the very best way to keep it cool is a large tree on the west side. Having shade close to the ground doesn't allow for good air movement, that's why a tree works best.

 

[mark1]

i agree , trees and shrubs .... grass also helps ............

 

[macyfidlerr]

Some people set up market umbrellas over the west side of an outdoor enclosure, but the very best way to keep it cool is a large tree on the west side. Having shade close to the ground doesn't allow for good air movement, that's why a tree works best.

Do you recommend I take the sunshades out? And try umbrella? There is a tree here over part of it it but it is still hot!!

 

[macyfidlerr]

i agree , trees and shrubs .... grass also helps ............

Thank you, I planted 3 spiderplants and he tries to bury himself in them. Not sure if that means he's still hot.

 

[mark1]

Thank you, I planted 3 spiderplants and he tries to bury himself in them. Not sure if that means he's still hot.

spider plants can grow in the shade , i'd find something to shade the spider plants . where i live i'd plant a shrub on the south east or south west side of the spider plants , the deeper the shade the cooler it'll be .....dense tree cover is great , but that's hard to get in a short period of time ......

 

[macyfidlerr]

spider plants can grow in the shade , i'd find something to shade the spider plants . where i live i'd plant a shrub on the south east or south west side of the spider plants , the deeper the shade the cooler it'll be .....dense tree cover is great , but that's hard to get in a short period of time ......

Thank you. I have no way to get a huge solid tree in one day. So I will try shrubs. I am not sure if there are any that thrive in the heat but I will search. Thank you!!

 

[Markw84]

Trees are great, but take time to grow. I don't know how your yard is laid out and fence / house are situated, but perhaps you can use a shade sail to provide relief until the trees grow.

I have a similar problem shading a large pond. I bought some triangular shade sails from Costco for $20 each. They are about 13 feet long on each side. I use parachute cord and run a line from my roof line to one corner, and then tie the other two corners to lines run from my fence top. Its quite a distance for me across the pond, so I had to use some poles at a few corners to hold it high enough and support. For me I also ran a few more lines across a it also keep herons from entering my pond area.

 

[Yvonne G]

Do you recommend I take the sunshades out? And try umbrella? There is a tree here over part of it it but it is still hot!!

Unless the sunshades are up high, at least 6' above the ground, they're really not helping. Probably mist would be your next option.

 

[Tom]

Shade, misters, sprinklers, and most importantly, they need to be able to get under ground. Dig a hole and bury a half flower pot or half of a five gallon bucket. Then put a big mound of dirt on top of that. It stays so much cooler underground. Here is another way to accomplish it that is a little more involved, but still easy: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/

If you build it so the entrance hole is down hill, it won't flood in the rain. Umbrellas or tarps can help on rainy days too.

 

[macyfidlerr]

Trees are great, but take time to grow. I don't know how your yard is laid out and fence / house are situated, but perhaps you can use a shade sail to provide relief until the trees grow.

I have a similar problem shading a large pond. I bought some triangular shade sails from Costco for $20 each. They are about 13 feet long on each side. I use parachute cord and run a line from my roof line to one corner, and then tie the other two corners to lines run from my fence top. Its quite a distance for me across the pond, so I had to use some poles at a few corners to hold it high enough and support. For me I also ran a few more lines across a it also keep herons from entering my pond area.

View attachment 178506

I LOVE THIS!!! It is beautiful. Thank you so much!!

 

[macyfidlerr]

Shade, misters, sprinklers, and most importantly, they need to be able to get under ground. Dig a hole and bury a half flower pot or half of a five gallon bucket. Then put a big mound of dirt on top of that. It stays so much cooler underground. Here is another way to accomplish it that is a little more involved, but still easy: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/

If you build it so the entrance hole is down hill, it won't flood in the rain. Umbrellas or tarps can help on rainy days too.

Thank you!!! Great ideas!