DIY Baby Enclosure

tinytortoise

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Oct 22, 2018
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Austin, Texas
Hey there,

I'm a newbie tortoise keeper who's been hooked on the forums, hiding in the Hermann's section, and now that this has been constructed; I want to subject it to a more specific audience here in the enclosures section. My baby comes in on Wednesday and I'm so excited & nervous!

For the becoming of this idea please see my first post, Planning for a Hermann's.

I'm still open to feedback, as I'm quality assurance testing everything now (there isn't a tortoise in it, yet).

First day of testing I'm getting Basking-spot 105F 35% humidity, Shade/Cool-side 74F 95% humidity, Open/Warm-side 80F @ 70% humidity, haven't installed hide yet, but plan is humid-hide on Open/Warm-side with moist sphagnum. This data is quite limited currently, as soil moisture will vary, but I'm excited! Picking up a dimmer tomorrow to knock that basking down to 95F, and I'm sure that over the day the Cooler and Warmer sides will hopefully near 80F after a few hours.

Please let me know what you think, all feedback is welcome, as well as questions!
 

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tinytortoise

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Don't let temps drop below 80 for a hatchling. Basking 95-100 is okay.
Otherwise it's sounding good and looks good
Thank you! Does this include at night? From what I read Hermann's don't need night heating, but this may not be relative to hatchling.
 

wellington

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Last edited:

tinytortoise

Active Member
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Oct 22, 2018
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Location (City and/or State)
Austin, Texas
Got it, I don't plan to let it drop below 70F, will check overnight & in the morning and provide heating if needed! They won't be near a window so this should be easy to control, I'm thinking maybe a space heater nearby when it's really cold.
From what I'm gathering it's saying not let it drop lower than 70F, for babies at night, but as adult Hermann's can withstand much lower.
Thanks for bringing attention to this.

Just got all my corners clamped on tight & applied weather stripping to the most vulnerable areas, with lamp it's easily >80F now!
 

tinytortoise

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Oct 22, 2018
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142
Location (City and/or State)
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Just to follow up, Hermann's DO NOT need night time heat. Baby Hermann's can get as low as 55F, at night, comfortably, don't go lower. Below 70, at night, is ideal, no higher. Normal day basking, for baby Hermann's 95F.

Feeling much comfortable going into it! Got my dimmer today & temps are perfect <3.
 

tinytortoise

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Joined
Oct 22, 2018
Messages
142
Location (City and/or State)
Austin, Texas
I went cheap, in a hurry, with $25 plastic sheeting from home depo paint department. But I'd highly recommend starting with higher quality
polyethylene, as my cheap plastic is already wearing quite fast - it's not meant for this purpose.

Here is the plastic I plan to buy when I shrink the lid: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZZX4KL/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
  • One roll of clear plastic film polyethylene covers
  • Superior Strength and Toughness.
  • Higher Light Transmission for optimum plant growth
  • Stabilized Against UV Radiation
  • Five Layers Technology
 
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