New plexiglass coldframe

[Ozric]

Here is a photo of this coldframe I just installed. The torts like it and it allows 60% UVB transmission. Its even got a little door for them to go in and out in the base. I've now got some cacti inside in pots and drinking bowls as well.

Small tortoise in this one

 

[Millerlite]

nice, i was thinking of making a coldfram for my guys,

 

[chelonologist]

Thanks for posting this - it's really got me thinking about doing something similar for my outdoor tortoises!

 

[bettinge]

I really like it! Does it really pass 60%UVB thru? Sounds hard to believe, but I want to. It would be great stuff if it did. What are the details on the plactic, I may buy some.

 

[Yvonne G]

What a beautiful tortoise yard. Thanks for sharing.

Yvonne

 

[Candy]

I love it! I also love your tortoise yard very professional looking.

 

[GBtortoises]

Check out a company called FarmTek. Their website is www.farmtek.com and they sell polycarbonate panels to build coldframes and greenhouses with at reasonable prices. They have several thicknesses and sheet sizes. They also sell all related items such as lighting, misters, timers, thermostats, etc... I have purchased from them in and have been very satisfied with their products and their service.

 

[Crazy1]

You have beautiful tort yard. Nice cold frame. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Isa]

Really nice Ozric! You did an amazing job
Thanks for sharing.

 

[tortoisenerd]

That's beautiful! I hope to do something nice like that someday when I have a yard.

How does that type of enclosure do when it gets hot outside? Is it even warmer in there? I'm just curious...

 

[Ozric]

Thanks for all your kind comments. I am in the UK. The plexiglass material is easily broken and not easy to send anywhere. This was a major problem for me because the German company that makes this coldframe was not willing to send their product to me as they were sure the plexiglass would break in transit. After some problems I found a company in the UK that handles plexiglass all the time and so they dealt with that side of it and the German people were happy to send a kit over for assembly.

Kate is right about the temperature, it can get too hot in there. I have shade inside the frame and of course the tortoises can go outside whenever they want. IT is possible to get a thermostatically controlled device that lifts the lid as required for ventilation- I didn't get one yet as I'm not sure how needed it is in my climate. So far my observations are that the tortoises go outside when its very hot in the coldframe but I am at an early stage with it.

I can confirm the 60% UV transmission really does work with the plexiglass. Depending where we live this might not be worth bothering with but I think it is useful for us here.