Here is my progress on my hermanns or russian tortoise enclosed table. I rough plumbed 3 freshwater drinking fountains and a small waterfall. 3” of coca coir is next. I would appreciate any questions or concerns any of the more experienced keepers here as this is my 1st attempt at this hobby.
My enclosure progress
- Thread starter Mrgeez
- Start date
It does look really nice. But it has a lot of flipping hazards. The log, and bricks. Those small rocks around the fountains could possibly be a blockage problem if eaten. They should not have small rocks. Also, the stone hedge rocks, if not cemented down, they will be knocked over, possibly hitting the tortoise.
Be sure to not fill it up too much either, they need lots of roaming room to keep healthy, digestion working properly and to keep walking properly.
Also, if this is for a hatchling, it needs to be a closed chamber enclosure
Be sure to not fill it up too much either, they need lots of roaming room to keep healthy, digestion working properly and to keep walking properly.
Also, if this is for a hatchling, it needs to be a closed chamber enclosure
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Yeah, make sure the stones won't fit in the tortoises mouth. Love the shape!
Yes, i will address the small stones. Thank you for pointing that problem out.
The final project will be totally enclosed. Since this is in my unheated barn, my biggest unknown will be if I can reasonably heat it to 80 deg in the winter.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Ooo thanks for the update on your progress!
Agree with all this! Looking good though
Whoa, that's going to be hard if not impossible.
What might help though, is after you make it a closed chamber, put a pop up greenhouse over the whole enclosed enclosure. This will help keep the air immediately around it warmer. Also, if you had to add a portable heater, you could add it to the greenhouse, only heating the area within the greenhouse which will be the enclosure.
Please keep us updated on all the progress and how the heating in the barn worked out.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
What material will you use to make it enclosed? Insulation and air pockets will be key. Can't guarantee it will be enough though.
I am planning to use (10) 150w ceramic heaters. The enclosure is located in a 12x15 enclosed room. But, last week when the outside temps were in the low 20’s, the room temp was 40. Before i invest in the expensive lighting and controls i will need, i need to see if heating will even be possible or feasible.
This pic is the roughing in of the outside walls with sliding plexiglass windows. The ceiling will be 1” wood with insulation on top.
Attachments
A mini oil filled radiator might be cheaper and more likely able to keep it heated.
As for the ceramic heat emitters, only name brand ones are reliable, heat up to temp and last. But each one will need a ceramic socket 10 inch wide dome.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
As a back up plan you may need insulation on the walls and maybe even bottom too.
Yes. Thanks. I thought about that. I also thought the last ditch plan would to just leave them hibernate. I do have 6-8” substrate.
Just be sure, if brumating them, it's a controlled brumation. Leaving them to do it on their own is not recommended. They need to go thru a process and then have controlled temps.
