Easy to build and functional

[Luvthemtorts]

Lots of posts about how to build an enclosure so I thought I would post a pic of my standard type enclosure.
I have used the same basic design with multiple species and have had excellent results. Obviously the substrate choices, amount of hides and lighting requirements will vary according to species but the same basic box design still applies.
For the basking area I use a MVB and the fluorescents are Lumichrome bulbs which when combined provides a wide spectrum of color on the Kelvin scale.
Hidden underneath the basking light is a countersunk rubbermaid container that allows the females to dig a suitable nest for egg deposition. When not expecting eggs the blue lid in the foreground is placed back on top of the box and covered with the mulch to keep the soil clean and ready for use when laying time rolls around again.
Anyways thanks for looking.

 

[Yvonne G]

Very nice, clean-looking enclosure. Enough room too. Thanks for sharing.

 

[alfiethetortoise]

I Like your enclosusre but do your torts not get bored? Alfie has a plant, stones, water, a hide, cuttlebone, food - her favorite place being on the right of the plant near some stones or tring to climb on the stones! In fact, i dont see and torts on your table so perhaps it is empty after all!

 

[Luvthemtorts]

Alfie,
In fact if you look closely you'll see a happy, healthy and VERY productive female Burmese Star sticking out from behind the hide box.
I can assure you my animals were quite content with their setups as evidenced by their willingness to produce for me.

 

[alfiethetortoise]

Alfie,
In fact if you look closely you'll see a happy, healthy and VERY productive female Burmese Star sticking out from behind the hide box.
I can assure you my animals were quite content with their setups as evidenced by their willingness to produce for me.

I can see your tortoise now, after a where is wally moment! Perhaps there is nothing else for your animals to do?! ha ha just kidding i am sure you take perfectly good care of your tortoises!

 

[-EJ]

That is impressive and really nice.

Suggestion... you obviously have the skill... instead of doing end to end on the bottom... have you thought of dadoing the sides to fit the bottom.

What kind of siding did you use... it looks like a laminate... comprised of 3 inch planks.

Lots of posts about how to build an enclosure so I thought I would post a pic of my standard type enclosure.
I have used the same basic design with multiple species and have had excellent results. Obviously the substrate choices, amount of hides and lighting requirements will vary according to species but the same basic box design still applies.
For the basking area I use a MVB and the fluorescents are Lumichrome bulbs which when combined provides a wide spectrum of color on the Kelvin scale.
Hidden underneath the basking light is a countersunk rubbermaid container that allows the females to dig a suitable nest for egg deposition. When not expecting eggs the blue lid in the foreground is placed back on top of the box and covered with the mulch to keep the soil clean and ready for use when laying time rolls around again.
Anyways thanks for looking.

 

[Luvthemtorts]

Alfie,
Believe me when I first started keeping Chelonia I went through the standard elaborate setups however quickly found them to be unsanitary on a large scale and for the most part completely useless. Over time and studying my animals in great detail I became accutely aware of the animals daily routines and what they preferred.
Case in point is the Burmese Star enclosure above. Spartan yes, but designed to suit her routine and not what I deemed is suitable for her. Also note that she had a huge area to roam compared to many enclosures that are cluttered and too small for the animal.
Lastly I would like to add that in my first posting you will note that I mentioned furnishings as well as lighting and substrate will vary from species to species.

---

Thanks Ed!
I have indeed tried multiple approaches to attaching the sides to the bottom and ulitimately (at least for me) found the above the most stable and least time consuming to construct. The bottom screwing into the sides and using a sufficient amount of screws around the perimeter has prevented any type of bowing of the bottom even at widths of 4ft and lengths of 8ft (a full sheet of standard plywood).
The bottom is marine grade plywood lined with fiberglass shower stall backing, the sides and legs are made of hardwood planking. A bit more expensive than laminate but has withstood the test of time.

 

[-EJ]

I noticed the number of screws you used to secure the sides... serious over building.

Did you look at my plans for the Multilevel enclosure? My design with the materials you used... you'd never need another enclosure.

Still... extremely impressive.

Alfie,
Believe me when I first started keeping Chelonia I went through the standard elaborate setups however quickly found them to be unsanitary on a large scale and for the most part completely useless. Over time and studying my animals in great detail I became accutely aware of the animals daily routines and what they preferred.
Case in point is the Burmese Star enclosure above. Spartan yes, but designed to suit her routine and not what I deemed is suitable for her. Also note that she had a huge area to roam compared to many enclosures that are cluttered and too small for the animal.
Lastly I would like to add that in my first posting you will note that I mentioned furnishings as well as lighting and substrate will vary from species to species.

---

Thanks Ed!
I have indeed tried multiple approaches to attaching the sides to the bottom and ulitimately (at least for me) found the above the most stable and least time consuming to construct. The bottom screwing into the sides and using a sufficient amount of screws around the perimeter has prevented any type of bowing of the bottom even at widths of 4ft and lengths of 8ft (a full sheet of standard plywood).
The bottom is marine grade plywood lined with fiberglass shower stall backing, the sides and legs are made of hardwood planking. A bit more expensive than laminate but has withstood the test of time.

---

 

[Kayti]

Is that fixture for the MVB on the ground? I can't tell from the picture, but if it is it must be really tall. I've been looking for something like that, could you tell me where you got it?

Also, what did you line the inside with?

Thanks a bunch, and great enclosure!

 

[pyxistort]

Wow.. that's a neat and nice looking enclosure. Could you explain more about the nest box? The nesting box would be heavy with soil/sand.

Scott

 

[Luvthemtorts]

Ed,
I agree I tend to seriously overbuild things lol!
I have indeed seen your enclosures and am consistantly impressed with your design. In fact just saw them again tonight in an old issue of Reptiles magazine. In my short time here I don't think some people realize the wealth of knowledge that you have to offer.

Kayti,
Thanks for the comment!
Its a Zoomed light stand screwed to the underside of the enclosure. They are quite durable and well worth the $25.00 or so.
The bottom is lined with fiberglass shower stall backing that is available at Lowes and Home Depot in 4x8 sheets. The rest of the enclosure is sealed with polyurethane and aired out until all smell has disappeared.

 

[-EJ]

You never answered my last email to you.

I really like your 'humid hide'

I also just have to ask... did you measure the spacing on the screws?

Cool on the backing... I thought you might have use marine epoxy but the fiberglass gives me an idea.

Ed,
I agree I tend to seriously overbuild things lol!
I have indeed seen your enclosures and am consistantly impressed with your design. In fact just saw them again tonight in an old issue of Reptiles magazine. In my short time here I don't think some people realize the wealth of knowledge that you have to offer.

Kayti,
Thanks for the comment!
Its a Zoomed light stand screwed to the underside of the enclosure. They are quite durable and well worth the $25.00 or so.
The bottom is lined with fiberglass shower stall backing that is available at Lowes and Home Depot in 4x8 sheets. The rest of the enclosure is sealed with polyurethane and aired out until all smell has disappeared.

 

[Luvthemtorts]

I hate to admit it Ed but I did indeed measure all screw holes. Makes me sound kinda like a dork LOL!
I got the email but wanted to but haven't had time until today to formulate a decent reply and didn't want to just reply with hi. Expect one this evening although I imagine you won't see it until tomorrow. I liked it better when you were on pacific time since it gave me a 3 hour window to catch you before it got too late.

Scott,
Thanks for the reply.
The enclosures height was actually chosen for a particular model of Rubbermaid container. The legs are 24in high and the sides are 12in high. The container is 12in deep which works out great because it rests flush on the floor. Good thing to because it holds 80 pounds of dirt!

 

[GBtortoises]

Nice, functional set up! I have similar box style enclosures that I have used for years with great sucess. Mine are removable from their racks so that they can be removed from the room and re-painted when needed, which is rarely anyway, but it's a nice convenience. Same style living quarters too, simple and easy to keep clean. Decorations look nice, but are more for the person than the animal.

From my professional carpenter/woodworker standpoint I have to say-nice job on the woodwork too!

 

[-EJ]

It's called anal retentive... and I do the same thing.

I liked the time zone reference... gave me a giggle.

I hate to admit it Ed but I did indeed measure all screw holes. Makes me sound kinda like a dork LOL!
I got the email but wanted to but haven't had time until today to formulate a decent reply and didn't want to just reply with hi. Expect one this evening although I imagine you won't see it until tomorrow. I liked it better when you were on pacific time since it gave me a 3 hour window to catch you before it got too late.

Scott,
Thanks for the reply.
The enclosures height was actually chosen for a particular model of Rubbermaid container. The legs are 24in high and the sides are 12in high. The container is 12in deep which works out great because it rests flush on the floor. Good thing to because it holds 80 pounds of dirt!

 

[DoctorCosmonaut]

Its just up to earthquake code. Always better safe than sorry I am the same way... Should have seen how many screws I removed when I was breaking down my old enclosure! Millions! ... But i reused quite a few

 

[Luvthemtorts]

Hasn't seen an earthquake yet but it did withstand me falling in one day. Went to clean the far side and lost my balance and the next thing you know I was face to face with one pretty surpised tortoise lol.

 

[-EJ]

Where did you find that wood... and can I ask the cost? Why didn't you use plywood?

Hasn't seen an earthquake yet but it did withstand me falling in one day. Went to clean the far side and lost my balance and the next thing you know I was face to face with one pretty surpised tortoise lol.

 

[Madkins007]

Very nice!

I notice that many of the more experienced keepers go very spartan on their furnishings (especially if they have larger herds), while a lot of people who are generally either relatively new or only have one or two usually small tortoises prefer more 'naturalistic' enclosures.

I would love to know what the tortoise really thinks about stuff like that!

 

[pyxistort]

Mark,

Very interesting observation. It's like parents provide children what they think best for the kids. However, they don't really know if kids are happy about it.

For me, proper enclosure serve the purpose for maintaining healthy tortoise. Extra decorations serve the purpose more for owners.

Scott