Input anyone?

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi folks!
I’ve been working hard in getting lots of photos together for a ‘visual inspiration’ thread on housing adult torts, naturally these mainly include outdoor set ups, I know there’s a section on the forums media for enclosures, but some are now pretty dated and some down right questionable when you look through that section lol, when looking for similar threads, a lot of them are so old you can no longer view the images, so believe me when I say I’ve had to do some serious digging to find the photos I had in mind from some of the more well known folks here! It’s taken a lot of advanced searches

I’ve got photos of some adult indoor set ups for smaller species, countless outdoor set ups from dog kennels to raised flower beds, handmade enclosures, some larger examples for giant species, night box examples, some pics of how to safely include an oil heater, dedicated room set ups, deep shade examples, greenhouses, sheds, polly tunnels, the lot! All from a bunch of different sources, I’ve done my best in filtering out those with obvious things that aren’t recommended to be in there(not an easy task either when it comes to looking at different photos! I can’t guarantee I’ve spotted every single one)

I think there was definitely once a thread similar to the one I’m wanting to create, but no where near as many images, and again for some of them you can no longer view them properly.

I’m just curious to see if people would be interested in this? I know I love looking at different enclosures! It’s like I’m creating Pinterest boardsI’ve got over 170 photos so far, so it’ll definitely be my most elaborate one and probably take the longest to put togetherbut if people would like it I’m definitely up for it!!

I’m posting beforehand to see if people have any input! I don’t have hands on experience in an array of different outdoor set ups, I’ve built runs that work during the day, but not a 27/4 outdoor living space, so if you have any important things of note you feel I need to include in this thread that would be great!
I’ll be sure to cover the need of being predator proof/dig proof with a temperature controlled area for night, visual barriers, soak areas, the need for deep shade, but please do weigh in!! Any pointers on different dig proof methods, things you’ve learnt along the way with your outdoor set ups, will be greatly appreciated! The text will be quite brief and to the point as I’m wanting it to be more about just being some visual ideas, I leave it to the keeper to work out the nitty gritty of making each space species appropriate and safe!

Also any better thread title ideas for it? Thanks in advance!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Anybody?…

lol no worries if not folks! Think I’ve got most covered and it’s coming together nicely! Look forward to posting! Do let me know if you have title ideas for it though

 

[Tim Carlisle]

I'm game. Care info largely favors the Littles especially when it comes to housing. A collaboration to discuss the finer points or outdoor enclosures would be great. In addition, I'd love to see a one-stop shop displaying different setups for different geographic areas, fencing and barier ideas, landscaping/hardscaping/aqua features. Heating options per geography, etc. Burrow do's and don'ts, insulation recommendations, overall housing designs, automation....Just to name a few.

 

[wellington]

I personally think outdoor enclosures are very simple and an explanation is enough. 170 pictures is over kill and waste of forum space. Maybe a pic of cinder block and a pic of wood fencing for say a sulcata would be enough. Any of the larger species, which there are two, would/could also use what is appropriate for a sulcata. Most others smaller than a sulcata can do the same or any type of fencing that they like.
Maybe a mention or a couple pics of what can be used for diggers like Russians.
Outside enclosures are a simple fencing appropriate for the species of tortoise and either a night box or a shed.
Plus, we have a section for enclosures. Not many pics there, but that's because people either don't want to post their enclosure there, or they don't know it's there.
Or maybe make a collage of the pics so it's not 170 different pictures but a collage of a bunch.

 

[wellington]

Maybe @Josh can weigh in seeing he owns this forum. If 170 pics is fine with him in one thread, then go for it.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I'm game. Care info largely favors the Littles especially when it comes to housing. A collaboration to discuss the finer points or outdoor enclosures would be great. In addition, I'd love to see a one-stop shop displaying different setups for different geographic areas, fencing and barier ideas, landscaping/hardscaping/aqua features. Heating options per geography, etc. Burrow do's and don'ts, insulation recommendations, overall housing designs, automation....Just to name a few.

Yes I agree! I’ve noticed there isn’t as many photos of adult set ups for larger species on the forum, to be honest when it’s come to looking for good photo references for housing giant species I haven’t been able to come up with as many as I’d like, but still managed to get a good few together, and there’s at the very least lots of visual reference for designs you could easily do on a larger scale for our shelled giants.

Yeah when it comes to different geographical locations I’ve covered an array of set ups with different fencing and boarder ideas, lots of landscapes.

I could do with more aqua features! That’s a really good one actually!

I’ve got some burrow examples but I’d definitely appreciate more insight on the do’s and don’t’s for those.

I’ve addressed the importance of insulation for night boxes, out buildings and such, but again would appreciate specific recommendations!

Got some great housing designs.

With automation, we talking timers for lights/sprayers in larger outdoor spaces?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Maybe @Josh can weigh in seeing he owns this forum. If 170 pics is fine with him in one thread, then go for it.

Oh just to clear this up, there won’t be 170 separate photos! There’s multiple in one image if that makes sense

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I personally think outdoor enclosures are very simple and an explanation is enough. 170 pictures is over kill and waste of forum space. Maybe a pic of cinder block and a pic of wood fencing for say a sulcata would be enough. Any of the larger species, which there are two, would/could also use what is appropriate for a sulcata. Most others smaller than a sulcata can do the same or any type of fencing that they like.
Maybe a mention or a couple pics of what can be used for diggers like Russians.
Outside enclosures are a simple fencing appropriate for the species of tortoise and either a night box or a shed.
Plus, we have a section for enclosures. Not many pics there, but that's because people either don't want to post their enclosure there, or they don't know it's there.
Or maybe make a collage of the pics so it's not 170 different pictures but a collage of a bunch.

I understand where you’re coming from, this is less about the information though and more to serve as a really fun visual thread! I love looking through different set ups so thought it’d be nice for folks to have an up to date space to look through them and add their own

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh just to clear this up, there won’t be 170 separate photos! There’s multiple in one image if that makes sense

I’ve currently got it to 73 collages, please do let me know if this is an issue though @Josh I don’t want to take up space, thought it might be fun idea as people seem to really like the closed chamber one

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I understand where you’re coming from, this is less about the information though and more to serve as a really fun visual thread! I love looking through different set ups so thought it’d be nice for folks to have an up to date space to look through them and add their own

Also some of them are just downright gorgeous!! I’d love for them to all have their own place to showcase

 

[Tim Carlisle]

With automation, we talking timers for lights/sprayers in larger outdoor spaces?

Timers is certainly one aspect. There are many different ways to automate. Power redundancy, atmospheric contingencies, automated/timed doors (open/close), alarm systems (for power failures as an example), ventilation systems, automated feed/watering systems, or even something as simplest as dusk/Dawn automation for lighting. You know...all the things that keep geeks like me hoppin'. lol

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Timers is certainly one aspect. There are many different ways to automate. Power redundancy, atmospheric contingencies, automated/timed doors (open/close), alarm systems (for power failures as an example), ventilation systems, automated feed/watering systems, or even something as simplest as dusk/Dawn automation for lighting. You know...all the things that keep geeks like me hoppin'. lol

Hopefully the thread can serve as a place for more in depth discussion on this, I like to think people will see the set ups, get particularly inspired by some and share how they apply different automation methods to work most efficiently and safelyI’ll admit I’d probably be a little bit out of my depth discussing the nitty gritty of all those in the op, but I did plan on adding in the night box threads

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Hopefully the thread can serve as a place for more in depth discussion on this, I like to think people will see the set ups, get particularly inspired by some and share how they apply different automation methods to work most efficiently and safelyI’ll admit I’d probably be a little bit out of my depth discussing the nitty gritty of all those in the op, but I did plan on adding in the night box threads

Necessity is the mother of invention. Hours and hours of YouTube self-help videos comes in handy too. My tortoise house is shingled. Never in my life had I ever laid shingles before. YouTube to the rescue!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Maybe a mention or a couple pics of what can be used for diggers like Russians.

When it comes to dig proofing, would you say sturdy boarders that are sunk into the ground quite deeply can be enough? Or would you argue that some wire mesh should be ran underneath and planted over? I only ask because some folks like to go all out and dedicate a huge outdoor space for their Russian, I can’t imagine having to run mesh under the ground in those cases, curious what you think

 

[Tim Carlisle]

When it comes to dig proofing, would you say sturdy boarders that are sunk into the ground quite deeply can be enough? Or would you argue that some wire mesh should be ran underneath and planted over? I only ask because some folks like to go all out and dedicate a huge outdoor space for their Russian, I can’t imagine having to run mesh under the ground in those cases, curious what you think

I use concrete footers in mine.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I use concrete footers in mine.

Yeah I’ve always figured that would do the job, I don’t personally own a Russian so haven’t experienced how far down they can dig with an outdoor set up

 

[wellington]

Hopefully the thread can serve as a place for more in depth discussion on this, I like to think people will see the set ups, get particularly inspired by some and share how they apply different automation methods to work most efficiently and safelyI’ll admit I’d probably be a little bit out of my depth discussing the nitty gritty of all those in the op, but I did plan on adding in the night box threads

I wouldn't repeat a bunch of threads. Duplicates are deleted for a reason. It would be better to post the link to the night box thread or any other threads you are using that isn't yours. When people do a search they want the original thread so questions can be asked from the OP that actually knows.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I wouldn't repeat a bunch of threads. Duplicates are deleted for a reason. It would be better to post the link to the night box thread or any other threads you are using that isn't yours. When people do a search they want the original thread so questions can be asked from the OP that actually knows.

That’s what I meant, I’d be adding the link to them

 

[wellington]

When it comes to dig proofing, would you say sturdy boarders that are sunk into the ground quite deeply can be enough? Or would you argue that some wire mesh should be ran underneath and planted over? I only ask because some folks like to go all out and dedicate a huge outdoor space for their Russian, I can’t imagine having to run mesh under the ground in those cases, curious what you think

Either way. Bigger areas usually cinder blocks are buried. Smaller areas are usually hardware cloth or chicken wire laid down. Personally if I were doing a big area, I would do hardware cloth or chicken wire. Lot less work then digging down. The wire can be laid down, walls placed on top of the edge and done. Grass and weeds will grow thru and in a year or two you can't even see the fencing.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Either way. Bigger areas usually cinder blocks are buried. Smaller areas are usually hardware cloth or chicken wire laid down. Personally if I were doing a big area, I would do hardware cloth or chicken wire. Lot less work then digging down. The wire can be laid down, walls placed on top of the edge and done. Grass and weeds will grow thru and in a year or two you can't even see the fencing.

Thank you for the input! Much appreciated