NO SUN-WHICH ONE-VOTE

[wellington]

Without a heat pad, won't be needed
With a heat pad, just in case

With heating

Without heating

---

Without a heat pad, won't be needed
With a heat pad, just in case

With heating

Without heating

This is in reference to my previous thread http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-NEED-OPINIONS-NO-SUN

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm thinking with the sun shining on it it might get too hot.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

As long as you CAREFULLY monitor the temps, go for it...tortoises overheat surprisingly fast!

 

[tortoises101]

Tortoises aren't used to heat coming from below them, and I would believe that long term use of heat pads would cause gut problems.

 

[wellington]

Does anyone know if there should be any concern about uv not getting thru if it is called a green house/ cold frame?

 

[HLogic]

As plants do not utilize UV and glass, except for silica, quartz and exotic glasses, typically transmits 10% or less of UVB, I would be surprised if sufficient UVB would be available. Plexiglas (acrylic sold for window replacement) appears to be the best bet...

Reference: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/UVB_Meter_Owners/message/5477

 

[lynnedit]

The second one looks like it is twin wall polycarbonate, that does not let significant UV in, as far as I know and have read. Plexiglass is supposed to be better, but apparently there is still some loss of UV. (nice yahoo link!). Not sure about the plastic in the first example.
I like the idea that your tort could go out, and then back inside to cool off, but it might not really increase UV significantly, at least with the polycarb cold frame.
Still, it seems like a nice idea and a way for your tort to graze, etc.
Could you reproduce the second one with wood sides and a lid covered with plain Plexiglass? Not perfect, but some UV would make it through (lots more than polycarbonate).
Really intriguing idea for those in apartments, etc.

 

[wellington]

I had planned on tweaking the one i decide on anyway to fit my window etc. I could replace their plastic with my own. It is so cold here, that I wanted to start with something and work from there, less time outside working on it if most of it is done already.
I think the wood one with out heat is going to be the one

 

[lynnedit]

Or, after you get it, you could
1) just replace the lid and
2) use these to keep the bottom warm since they are waterproof (plug in inside)
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Flexible-Heat-Ropes


So will the outside part flip up away from the window, so you can open the window when needed, to access it?

 

[wellington]

Or, after you get it, you could
1) just replace the lid and
2) use these to keep the bottom warm since they are waterproof (plug in inside)
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Flexible-Heat-Ropes


So will the outside part flip up away from the window, so you can open the window when needed, to access it?

No, the shorter end will have to be the part that is through the window. I will either be adding a seperate section that stays in the house or half of what you see in the pic will be inside. Either way I will be able to get to him easily if needed. I have to get the box before I can decide which way to do it. I am ordering today. Thanks for the heat rope idea. I will probably have to use something for the inside portion as my house temp is only 70.

 

[lynnedit]

Sounds good. (by 'just replace the lid', I meant just replace the the polycarbonate lid, not sides, with plexiglass for more UV...)
Happy planning!