Enclosure Indeciveness

[maxgirlie]

I will be getting a baby sulcata and trying to decide on the best indoor enclosure. I'm leaning towards a large plastic tote to create a closed chamber, but the thought of taking the lid off and dealing with lights and cords is not appealing. I've heard that some create a door for easy access, so I'd like to hear more about those and maybe see some examples.

I've also heard of portable greenhouses and would like input on that as well. I have an 8' x 3' space reserved in my office for the habitat. Any input is welcome and appreciated!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

1. Here is "tote box" plan: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/h...-habitat-out-of-a-55gal-sterilite-bin.217138/
2. Portable greenhouses and hydroponic grow tents are relatively cheap and easy way to make a "closed chamber". Main drawbacks - they don't hold temperatures well (issue for the colder climates) and you will need some sort of water-proof base.
3. PVC enclosures look nice, water proof, have better thermal insulation. The price tag is higher, though. But they can be sold later when your sulcata outgrows the enclosure. Markw84 makes Smart Enclosures 4x3 ft which can be "merged" together to form a 8x3 one. Here is how it looks like: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/marks-smart-enclosure.220091/ If you aren't scared of DIY you can get expanded PVC sheets and try to build your own: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/b...-pvc-enclosed-chamber-–-for-beginners.159220/

 

[Tom]

I agree with everything Alex said.

I only use PVC enclosures. They make your life easy and your tortoise's life better. Mark's Smart Enclosures are the best tortoise life support system made and they are cheaper than if you went and bought all the supplies and materials and did it yourself.

Before you get a baby sulcata, read this thread:

Baby Sulcata Struggling- HELP

We got a sulcata hatchling almost 2 months ago and for the last week, I have noticed he hasn’t been as active or eating as much. It wasn’t a big enough change that I was concerned until a couple days ago. He has been in his hide for the majority of the day and night and I am just really...

tortoiseforum.org

Almost everyone starts them incorrectly. Don't let the above happen to you. Buy from one of the few that start them correctly.

Also, check these two threads out for the current and correct care info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

Finally, do you have acres of pasture? Sulcatas are the wrong species for almost everyone. If you have a ranch style property where it would be easy to keep cattle and horses, then a sulcata can be manageable in your climate. If you are in a regular house with a back yard, you should consider other more manageable species.

 

[wellington]

A pop up portable greenhouse will last almost to the size he can live outside. In fact may last all the way to that time, 2-3 years of age.
They are much cheaper and still work great.
The smart enclosure is probably the very best. But for the cost, it's not worth it to me if you only plan to raise one baby. If you plan on getting more then I'd invest in one. Otherwise go for the greenhouse.
They come in many sizes, 3x6 or if you can squeeze in the 3x9. Google search for the right size and price. The ones in the pic is what you want to look for. Not any with lots of height.

 

[maxgirlie]

I agree with everything Alex said.

I only use PVC enclosures. They make your life easy and your tortoise's life better. Mark's Smart Enclosures are the best tortoise life support system made and they are cheaper than if you went and bought all the supplies and materials and did it yourself.

Before you get a baby sulcata, read this thread:

Baby Sulcata Struggling- HELP

We got a sulcata hatchling almost 2 months ago and for the last week, I have noticed he hasn’t been as active or eating as much. It wasn’t a big enough change that I was concerned until a couple days ago. He has been in his hide for the majority of the day and night and I am just really...

tortoiseforum.org

Almost everyone starts them incorrectly. Don't let the above happen to you. Buy from one of the few that start them correctly.

Also, check these two threads out for the current and correct care info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

Finally, do you have acres of pasture? Sulcatas are the wrong species for almost everyone. If you have a ranch style property where it would be easy to keep cattle and horses, then a sulcata can be manageable in your climate. If you are in a regular house with a back yard, you should consider other more manageable species.

No, I do not have acres and acres, but I do have a yard that will be fun for them to explore and I plan to plant more grass as well as plant things the tortoise can eat once I get to that point.

 

[maxgirlie]

A pop up portable greenhouse will last almost to the size he can live outside. In fact may last all the way to that time, 2-3 years of age.
They are much cheaper and still work great.
The smart enclosure is probably the very best. But for the cost, it's not worth it to me if you only plan to raise one baby. If you plan on getting more then I'd invest in one. Otherwise go for the greenhouse.
They come in many sizes, 3x6 or if you can squeeze in the 3x9. Google search for the right size and price. The ones in the pic is what you want to look for. Not any with lots of height.
View attachment 380919

That looks interesting - I would have to build a base I assume or is there one you recommend out there that would suffice?

I'm also looking at lights, using Tom's main post's advice in this forum but was wondering if this is something like he's referring to for the CHE/Thermostat?

 

[maxgirlie]

Where is the best place to get the orchid bark fine grade?

 

[wellington]

That looks interesting - I would have to build a base I assume or is there one you recommend out there that would suffice?

I'm also looking at lights, using Tom's main post's advice in this forum but was wondering if this is something like he's referring to for the CHE/Thermostat?

View attachment 380932

Yes, that would work for a thermostat .
Check with local nursery for the bark.

 

[Daffodil]

Where is the best place to get the orchid bark fine grade?

FWIW, I've been looking for it as well. I purchased this from Amazon:

Amazon.com

But it was coarser than this one that I think Tom posted.

Just tonight I think I found the one Tom posted. I could only find it at Chewy.

 

[maxgirlie]

FWIW, I've been looking for it as well. I purchased this from Amazon:

Amazon.com

But it was coarser than this one that I think Tom posted.

Just tonight I think I found the one Tom posted. I could only find it at Chewy.

Omg weird, I was literally JUST looking at that! Thank u!

 

[maxgirlie]

FWIW, I've been looking for it as well. I purchased this from Amazon:

Amazon.com

But it was coarser than this one that I think Tom posted.

Just tonight I think I found the one Tom posted. I could only find it at Chewy.

I am terrible with sizes. Will 4 quarts be enough to do a layer in a 50 gallon tote?

 

[Daffodil]

I am terrible with sizes. Will 4 quarts be enough to do a layer in a 50 gallon tote?

LOL So am I. And I'm just a tortoise newbie, so my 2 cents is worth exactly that... 2 cents.

I got the amazon 24 quart bag. I have a 4' x 2' enclosure for my baby Russian. I already had coco coir in it and just put the bark on top. The 24 qt bag seems to be enough for at least two to three of my size enclosure, but I figure I'll eventually use it.

I don't know how 4'x2' translates to 50 gallon tubs, but HTH somehow.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I am terrible with sizes. Will 4 quarts be enough to do a layer in a 50 gallon tote?

4 quarts is 1 gallon, about 230 cubical inches. You need about 4 inches of substrate, so we divide volume in cubical inches by this value and get 57 sq.inches. - that's the area we can cover. Roughly, a patch of 6x10 inches.

 

[Tom]

I am terrible with sizes. Will 4 quarts be enough to do a layer in a 50 gallon tote?

No. You'll need the 24 quart bag.

 

[maxgirlie]

Can someone send a link to the fine grade orchid bark? Also, do you have any specific thermometers/hydrometers you like?

I really appreciate everyone's input. This is extremely helpful.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Can someone send a link to the fine grade orchid bark? Also, do you have any specific thermometers/hydrometers you like?

I really appreciate everyone's input. This is extremely helpful.

This one should be fine: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Better-Gro-8-qt-Orchid-Bark-Twin-Pack-50193/323690096
(make sure you order potting media, not potting mix!)

Or you can get ZooMed Reptibark - but it's more expensive. Other option is to ask at local plant nurseries, sometimes they sell large bags really cheap.

Thermometers/hygrometers - any digital (with a display) from a hardware store. AccuRite are known to be good ones. Can be coupled with "smart sensors" like Govee or TPLink if you want complete measurements history and smartphone notifications. SensorPush are "premium" products - precise and expensive.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi thought I’d jump on to show you some other closed chamber options for when it comes to upgrading

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in handy for you!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I agree with everything Alex said.

I only use PVC enclosures. They make your life easy and your tortoise's life better. Mark's Smart Enclosures are the best tortoise life support system made and they are cheaper than if you went and bought all the supplies and materials and did it yourself.

Before you get a baby sulcata, read this thread:

Baby Sulcata Struggling- HELP

We got a sulcata hatchling almost 2 months ago and for the last week, I have noticed he hasn’t been as active or eating as much. It wasn’t a big enough change that I was concerned until a couple days ago. He has been in his hide for the majority of the day and night and I am just really...

tortoiseforum.org

Almost everyone starts them incorrectly. Don't let the above happen to you. Buy from one of the few that start them correctly.

Also, check these two threads out for the current and correct care info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

Finally, do you have acres of pasture? Sulcatas are the wrong species for almost everyone. If you have a ranch style property where it would be easy to keep cattle and horses, then a sulcata can be manageable in your climate. If you are in a regular house with a back yard, you should consider other more manageable species.

The pro of the PVC enclosure is that it is better insulated than some of the other options.

 

[maxgirlie]

Im super happy to announce that I've decided to get a Redfoot instead of a Sulcata. Sounds like the Florida humidity is better for redfoots. Im going to search for redfoot info, but can anyone tell me if there are any huge differences that I should know about for care?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Im super happy to announce that I've decided to get a Redfoot instead of a Sulcata. Sounds like the Florida humidity is better for redfoots. Im going to search for redfoot info, but can anyone tell me if there are any huge differences that I should know about for care?

1. Diet: redfoots need fruit, animal protein, some mushrooms and leafy greeens. No grass or hay.
2. Humidity: 70-80% even for adults. Muddy puddles, sprinklers and such.
3. Temperatures: in 80-88F day and night, without hotspots. So a basking lamp is not really necessary.
4. Much more shade and hiding areas in outdoor/indoor enclosures. As they live on the forest edge they often move back and forth between open (grasses and shrubs) and shaded (forest canopy) areas.
5. Substrate top layer should be dry whenever possible.