New outdoor enclosure

[Destiny]

We finished the outdoor enclosure it's in our screened in patio so we don't have to worry about predators. There is a 40W CHE in her hide with sphagnum moss. Here are some pics...

If you have any suggestions of things I am missing please help Thanks for all of your help thus far!!! We are so grateful!

 

[jdawn]

Destiny,
What a gorgeous enclosure! She is sure to have lots of adventures! That is great that you have a screened porch and don't have to worry about predators. 'Predator proofing' was one of my bigger challenges. Great job! ~ Jenny Dawn

 

[Yvonne G]

I like it a lot, however, I'm worried about having that CHE inside that small hide box. They can get pretty darned hot.

 

[terryo]

Looks perfect to me. A tortoise paradise for sure. I love that little pond. Could you post a picture of it? Ohhhhh...I just realized that the CHE was inside the hide. That might be a little scary, and being so close to the moss in the hide it would probably dry it out, and it should be warm and humid in the hide. Otherwise...it's great.

 

[Destiny]

Looks perfect to me. A tortoise paradise for sure. I love that little pond. Could you post a picture of it? Ohhhhh...I just realized that the CHE was inside the hide. That might be a little scary, and being so close to the moss in the hide it would probably dry it out, and it should be warm and humid in the hide. Otherwise...it's great.

I have it on one side and I have read the temps and one side is 70 and the side the CHE is on is 80. I have a wet sock with a wet sponge in it hanging through the hide. The humidity last time I checked was 75%. It is going to be around 55 tonight so I put a heavy blanket over the whole enclosure to keep it warm. What should the temps be in the hide? Should I turn it off during the day? It will be 75 and sunny tomorrow.

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Here's a pic of the pond...

 

[ChiKat]

I love the pond! Where did you get it? I'm looking for something a little bigger for my Russian.
Great enclosure! Lucky tort

 

[Destiny]

I love the pond! Where did you get it? I'm looking for something a little bigger for my Russian.
Great enclosure! Lucky tort

I bought it at Lowe's it was supposed to be an extension of a bigger pond. It was only $11! My husband cut out a whole for it to fit down in.

 

[dreadyA]

I have one too, and i also grabbed it from L o w e s. Mine was 7 dollars--I dont even use it! I bought...just cos

 

[ChiKat]

Great idea, I'll have to look this weekend

 

[dreadyA]

&& for your hide...will you be able to take temps through out the day?? I dont know yellowfoots, sorry i cant answer you on the temps.

 

[Destiny]

&& for your hide...will you be able to take temps through out the day?? I dont know yellowfoots, sorry i cant answer you on the temps.

I have not been able to take temps today. I will as soon as I get home and let you know what they are. So does everyone who has outside hides during the summer turn off all heating elements? I would assume I would do so, but I'm a newbie?? At what point (temp wise) so you turn them off?

 

[Maggie Cummings]

It takes time for the heating coil inside a CHE to heat up and a 40 watt one still gets plenty hot, I personally would not have it inside a hide. I use black light bulbs for heat in all my enclosures. They work fine and keep all the habitats warm and cozy.
A CHE would also work fine but turning it on and off would not work well. I would take it out of the hide box, and possibly place it next to the box. Are you planning on leaving your baby out at night?

 

[Destiny]

It takes time for the heating coil inside a CHE to heat up and a 40 watt one still gets plenty hot, I personally would not have it inside a hide. I use black light bulbs for heat in all my enclosures. They work fine and keep all the habitats warm and cozy.
A CHE would also work fine but turning it on and off would not work well. I would take it out of the hide box, and possibly place it next to the box. Are you planning on leaving your baby out at night?

Yes I do plan on keeping her outside at night. I guess that's what I'm wondering, do I turn it on at night while it's cool (58 degrees tonight) and turn it off during the day? I thought the temp in her hide was supposed to be warm. If I take it out at night won't it be 65 degrees? Is that too cold?