New Enclosure

[Meraa12]

Hello Everyone! My boyfriend recently bought me a new enclosure for my baby sulcata and I just set it up today. I had him in a 40 gallon tank before this and was saving up money for a new enclosure but I was blessed to get one as a gift! I just wanted to ask if it looks okay with everyone. I foiled up the top to trap the humidity and cut holes for the basking light, LED and CHE. I just ordered another CHE because one doesn’t heat up the other half of the enclosure. I did block off the other half so my little guy wouldn’t go in there at night to sleep. (It’s cold on the other side).I’m happy to say that this enclosure is keeping in the humidity very nicely and my temps are where I want them to be! I have my thermostat set to 82 so that way it doesn’t drop lower than 78 in there. He was very happy to explore his new enclosure. I will be testing it out for a few nights to see if it holds up well!
Thank you all for the help!

 

[queen koopa]

Hello Everyone! My boyfriend recently bought me a new enclosure for my baby sulcata and I just set it up today. I had him in a 40 gallon tank before this and was saving up money for a new enclosure but I was blessed to get one as a gift! I just wanted to ask if it looks okay with everyone. I foiled up the top to trap the humidity and cut holes for the basking light, LED and CHE. I just ordered another CHE because one doesn’t heat up the other half of the enclosure. I did block off the other half so my little guy wouldn’t go in there at night to sleep. (It’s cold on the other side).I’m happy to say that this enclosure is keeping in the humidity very nicely and my temps are where I want them to be! I have my thermostat set to 82 so that way it doesn’t drop lower than 78 in there. He was very happy to explore his new enclosure. I will be testing it out for a few nights to see if it holds up well!
Thank you all for the help! View attachment 315531

Cool. For the babies though, temp should not drop below 82 anywhere in the enclosure. So just kick that up. When you get your other CHE it should be fine.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Nice. When they come back in stock, I would suggest a Radiant Heat Panel for the right hand (cool) side. Much less dessicating than CHEs. Can be hooked right into your thermostat.

Reptile Basics RHPs - https://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels

As others have said, bump your overall ambient temps up...

 

[maxgirlie]

@Meraa12 - I'm considering purchasing a habitat like this. Did you have any challenges with it after using it awhile? Any tips? Thanks!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

@Meraa12 - I'm considering purchasing a habitat like this. Did you have any challenges with it after using it awhile? Any tips? Thanks!

Hello!
These tortoise enclosures, while being very popular, are the bad choice.
It's too small for any grown up tortoise and too "open" to keep high humidity for a hatching. 1/3 of the enclosure is covered with an opaque lid - tortoises don't need such large hide but need more walking space. Enclosure is not tall enough to place good UVB lamp on the meshed top. Wood will potentially rot from contact with substrate.

What tortoise do you have or planning to get?

 

[Yvonne G]

I like it! What a nice surprise for you.

May I suggest trying to figure out something to set it on so you can see in better. Also getting it up off the floor will be warmer.

 

[maxgirlie]

Sulcata. Well that decides that.. I was waffling anyway due to mixed reviews. Glad to have your input. Looks like I'm goimg with a plastic tote, however I'm confused about the lighting and how to configure that. I really don't want it to be a chore to remove the top if I can help it.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Sulcata. Well that decides that.. I was waffling anyway due to mixed reviews. Glad to have your input. Looks like I'm goimg with a plastic tote, however I'm confused about the lighting and how to configure that. I really don't want it to be a chore to remove the top if I can help it.

Some cut a door in the tote wall for quick access. A portable greenhouse is probably easier and you can use it with underbed storage bins (large area and low height). I would suggest to start your own thread so we can address your other questions.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

This is a good guide on making an enclosure out of a plastic tote. https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/h...-habitat-out-of-a-55gal-sterilite-bin.217138/

 

[maxgirlie]

Wow, PERFECT! Just what I needed. Thanks much!