Hatchling Enclosure, Venting

[AmandaGal]

I am setting up a sulcata habitat for a hatchling I will get someday. I'm planning on building a temporary four by two wooden box (probably plywood or MDF) until he gains some size. It will be enclosed, but have glass doors on the front (I know glass will leach some heat). I want to put a ZooMed PowerSun on one side with some sort of humid box and a ceramic heating element in the middle (and maybe a humidifier, I'm planning on testing the temp and humidity before the hatchling gets here to make sure it's working). I'll use some sort of natural substrate and probably some kind of food safe paint for the inside of the enclosure (I haven't figure that out yet, maybe some sort of plastic sheeting for the bottom).

Firstly, does that sound like a decent setup? It seems to fit all the advice I've read here. I have worked with sulcata, but apparently we did everything wrong (they're still alive, but I did go sneak a peak at them last week and I noticed they DO have pyramiding. I honestly never knew that I was a thing. I was told they were supposed to look like that. We put them in an open top tank with rabbit pellets, etc. I honestly don't think they ever got soaked regularly).

Secondly, I know closed means closed, but do I need to build in some sort of vent? The front doors should be a little of a vent, but I don't think I've ever had a reptile in a completely unvented box before. Does closed really mean "closed" or should I cover half the top with a screen? I plan to do some building on it this weekend (I'm probably not getting the tort for a few months, but I'm excited! I've been planning space for him all spring).

 

[Alexio]

It sounds like a good plan. I lovee building over buying, there is so much more you can add and design that you can't buy in a premade tortoise table.
This is a vent I have on mine


You may be surprised, I have a 4x4 ft enclosure that sits next to my ac unit and it doesn't loose as much heat as you may think from the doors.

 

[ethan508]

I'd avoid MDF. It just doesn't hold up to any sort of moisture. Painting helps, but if there is any sort of missing paint and it gets even slightly wet, it swells and deforms.

 

[AmandaGal]

Thanks! Your setup is kind of what I had in mind. I didn't even think about using a plastic heating vent. That's a good option. Thanks.

Good point about the MDF. I'll stick to plywood.

Thanks for the advice.