Operation More Space

[izzy2208]

It's getting colder outside where I live and I am concerned. The tank I have Donatello in isnt holding the heat like it used to. He's constantly destroying the setup too. I dont like him walking around on the carpet as during this season ,my dog is shedding real bad. Im afraid vacuuming isnt enough. We recently cleared out an empy upstairs bedroom,which is going to be used for the torts. Ive saved $250 for this.(I'm still to young too get a job other than babysitting) I"m either gunna build a new enclosure ,or buy one,but I'm not sure which is best. I want him to have the room to dig,climb (he loves climbing up his log then sliding into the substrate) and roam around, but i want to make sure the humidity and temperatures don't drop. the extra bedroom will be kept warm with the window sealed up during winter,to avoid any cold air slipping into the room. Any ideas?

 

[lismar79]

It's getting colder outside where I live and I am concerned. The tank I have Donatello in isnt holding the heat like it used to. He's constantly destroying the setup too. I dont like him walking around on the carpet as during this season ,my dog is shedding real bad. Im afraid vacuuming isnt enough. We recently cleared out an empy upstairs bedroom,which is going to be used for the torts. Ive saved $250 for this.(I'm still to young too get a job other than babysitting) I"m either gunna build a new enclosure ,or buy one,but I'm not sure which is best. I want him to have the room to dig,climb (he loves climbing up his log then sliding into the substrate) and roam around, but i want to make sure the humidity and temperatures don't drop. the extra bedroom will be kept warm with the window sealed up during winter,to avoid any cold air slipping into the room. Any ideas?

what kind of heat lamps are you using? How big/ old is your tort?

 

[tortdad]

$250 is a small budget so I recommend you build one to save cash and maximize your dollar. Do you have anyone who can build it for you?


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)

 

[izzy2208]

Donatello is 5" we think he's about 2 years old but not sure tho. And my dad is amazing at building stuff. He builds all kinds of things from shelves,to robots, to bending titanium. He's great with aquatics,reptiles,and building and setting up pumps,filters, sensors,etc. I know its low but its all I can do. Right now all we have is 2 100watt uv lights. We had a 50 watt uvb zilla desert light thingy but it burnt out n I was debating whether to buy it again.Were thinking of getting a Che light but haven't really fully decided on it tho. We have access to more stuff online or store, and its OK if I go alittle over budget, I'll just owe my parents money and extra chores for awhile I really feel like he deserves more than the tank he has.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

With the ideas here and your dad good at fabrication, I'll bet you end up with something nice that's within your budget.

 

[izzy2208]

I'm thinking of a natural looking enclosed, like with soft, plentiful substrate for digging n plenty of room to explore, with real plants, and maybe small,natural looking pond not too deep ( he loves to swim probably cuz he floats lol) i would test water and temperature several timesdaily and my dad said he can help create a good pump\ filter for it. I want to make sure he has deep enough substrate to hide and dig . And plenty of things to make him feel "at home" lol. I always keep fresh, chopped ,orchard grass in enclosure to munch on and a calcium block too (hes not real coordinated so its pathetic watching him struggle to eat the full length orchard grass) any ideas on what material would be best to build enclosure out of? I want to make sure it holds humidity and heat tho

 

[lismar79]

I would absolutely get a CHE if you do not have another night heat source. You should not dip below 80-85 for this guy at any time.

I built all of my enclosures using paneling, & sheets of sub flooring wood.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/old-bed-enclosed-chamber.88366/

 

[izzy2208]

OK thx

 

[wellington]

I think if you do it yourself, 250.00 will be plenty. Can he have the whole room? I would use a portable oil filled radiator heater on a thermostat to heat and keep the whole room at 80. Then you can hang a baskng light. Add a humid hide, plastic tote with lid. Turn it inside down and cut a hole for him to enter. Use the lid as the bottom, add coconut coir and warm water. Cut a hole in the top (which will be the bottom of the box) line with tin foil and set a CHE over hole to keep the hide warm, 80 or above with 80% humidity. Line the floor of the room with plastic and add all the substrate and climbing things you want.

 

[Alaskamike]

Your tort is still small. If $ right now is the issue I've seen people use kiddy pools to advantage. Nice high sides, keeps mess in and a quick easy fix. Daily soaks are a must if it's open with household humidity ( which is usually around 40%). Even If your house is kept at like 72f you could put a small oIl filled space heater in the bedroom and keep that room at 80-85 easily and cheaply with door shut.

These plastic pools in several sizes can be found at Walmart or sometimes on craigslist. A terra catta plant saucer for soaking and drinking, some god substrata and hides with UVB and you're good.

It's tempting to build , but so often they don't have enough walking around room.
Good fortunes

 

[Alaskamike]

One other idea - a used bookshelf turned on its back makes a quick easy enclosure. You might have to put a plywood bottom on it but the $ could be less if you locate a used one. .

And these you can instal a plexiglass top on and really control heat / humidity very well.

If you go this route just remember that your UVB bulb should be IN the box , as the plexiglass would reduce the value of it.

 

[izzy2208]

Thanks. Im also debating on another ubv bulb should i get another or nah? Hes gunna be indoors all winter so i wanna make sure hes getting wut he needs. And what kinds of plants can i grow in there that are safe n editable?

 

[Alaskamike]

I don't know what kind of UVB you are using. The coil types have shown eye problems for some people.

I like the fluorescent long tube type.

 

[Alaskamike]

Pants - really with a UVB you can grow almost anything. If it's on 10 hrs / day anything will grow if kept watered in good soil mix. Don't fertilize as your tort could get into it.

TORTOISE SUPPLY sells a good seed mix for torts. Several actually. I grow them in an under the bed plastic container and once big enough they won't trample it I carve out a section and transplant into there outside enclosure. Once roots are established it just keeps growing even when they nibble it to the ground.

There are many plant lists here Look them up and see. Do not just buy a plant and offer it. They could be treated with a systemic chemical that pulls up into the leaves to repel insects. Not good. Most plant and let grow a long time before giving to torts.

But if you can find weeds they can eat , you know it's not been treated , you can dig it up and plant in their enclosures. Dandelions are good for this. With UVB they will stay alive.

 

[izzy2208]

Thanks everyone for all the help and good ideas, we are nearly halfway done with new enclosure. We have a 5 car garage with the spare garage made into an indoor enclosure. With a dog door in back that leads to a 13x18 enclosed area in backyard for summer .

The new indoor enclosure for winter is inside upstairs. The enclosure is 8'×4'x3h with plexiglass( purchased but haven't picked it up yet.)
LIGHTING:
2 Che lamps
2 uvb.
1 incandescent light for basking heat and xtra light.
SUBSTRATE:
Moist Organic dirt with no fertilizers or chemicals added Mixed with cococoir.
HUMIDITY:
2 homemade misting machines placed on set timers.
A 3'x4'mini pond that's 4" deep at shallowest, and 8" at deepest. Its made from one of those black plastic pond thingy.
My dad is currently working on the filter. And water temp regulater (I think that's wut its called but not positive)
We have 3 humidity guages and 3 acurate thermometers that we will place throughout the tank.
A 1×1 plastic storage bin,its made of same plastic as tuperware stuff, turned upside down with a 6"h x5"w opening. It is filled with alittle pete moss, coco coir, and dirt. We tested it for 3 days.It kept at 85°f and 95-100% humidity at day and night
DECOR:
We bought a spring mix and lots of that calcium pet grass. Note:We will order more plants as we go..

How does this enclosure and setup sound so far?

My phone isnt currently not working and cant take pictures.but I will posts pics as soon as I can.

 

[izzy2208]

The outline frame of enclosure is made of , sanded, but not treated or sealed Brazilian wood.

 

[Tom]

Sounds like you and Dad have it all worked out. I was going to tell you to show this thread to Dad for some ideas.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/

Show us pics when its done, so we can get some ideas from you!

 

[izzy2208]

Thanks and well post pics as soon as we can

 

[omgdoubletacos]

One other idea - a used bookshelf turned on its back makes a quick easy enclosure. You might have to put a plywood bottom on it but the $ could be less if you locate a used one. .

And these you can instal a plexiglass top on and really control heat / humidity very well.

If you go this route just remember that your UVB bulb should be IN the box , as the plexiglass would reduce the value of it.

Haha! I did this for my little guy. It works really well!