out door pool for rt's

[Jenn1]

Hi all,
Thought I would share this.
Went to walmart and got a pool.Had holes in it so got it for cheap.
Got some seeds growing in the pots,and the kids built some houses for them and painted them.
Its still in the works and its pretty hot in the day.So I only have taken them in it a few times.Plus I need a lid for it.

 

[Josh]

i have a very similar setup but since my guys are so small i only leave them out there for a few hours at a time. i was thinking a good lid might be chicken wire curled over the edges. you could cut a little hatch for easy access too.

 

[Isa]

Very nice enclosure Jenn

It gives me ideas for next summer

 

[egyptiandan]

Looks great Jenn

What I do with pools is ring the pool in 3 foot chicken wire. That will keep almost everything out and it's easy for you to reach in. It also slips off easy so you can move the pool around.

Danny

 

[wayne.bob]

cool setup!!!!

 

[jasso2]

isnt this small for 3 rt?

 

[Yvonne G]

isnt this small for 3 rt?

That was my first thought too, Jasso: I think its even too small for one Russian. all tortoises need lots of room for exercise. However, this pool set-up is a good temporary arrangement until the outdoor pen can be built.

Yvonne

 

[Jenn1]

Thanks for the replys.
This pic is when I started it.First time putting the torts in it.
They loved it.
Since its pretty hot,and I cant put the torts in it yet,
(need the top still) I put some seeds in it yesterday.
Cant wait.
Great ideas on the chicken wire.Think thats what im going to do.Thanks

 

[Jenn1]

1 more

 

[Crazy1]

Nice Jenn, what you have done with the pool. The third pic puts the size into better perspective.

 

[Jenn1]

I thought it would.Does look small,until you see the torts in it.
Thanks,

 

[wayne.bob]

well from the last picture your torts seem to be having fun digging thats for sure!! and it looks way bigger when the torts are in it. your tort pool looks nice and i think they will love to swim around their new "play pool" lol

 

[drgnfly2265]

That's a great idea

____________________________________________________

Jamie

1 Sulcata (Bowser)

www.myspace.com/bowsertortoise

 

[terryo]

What do you keep your boxie in Jenn? Do you have some pictures? I love the pool idea.

 

[CGKeith]

Jenn, I have questions that you may or may not have thought about.

It appears that it is on the patio, I assume that it is covered. Will it stay there or be moved out in to the yard when temps allow. I'm guessing that it will be kinda heavy so you won't be moving it much.
If it ends up out in the yard you will want to be very careful about water from rain or sprinklers. Even if it has holes in it the dirt will keep it from draining fast enough, it is a pool and it will fill up quicker than you think.

 

[Jenn1]

Its on the back patio.It has a cover on top of it.
I cant put it out in the yard, cuz we have red ants and they chase us.Meat eaters, LOL.
Its still pretty hot out.Im scared ill cook the torts,so ive only been taking them out,early morning,or late night.And they dont like it at night.So now early morning.I sit out there with them always.Lots of crows out here and hawks.
Also the seeds are growing very fast in the pots.

 

[Jenn1]

What do you keep your boxie in Jenn? Do you have some pictures? I love the pool idea.

Thanks terryo,
I have EBT, Bow in a 45 gallon rubbermaid container.S/H is cb July of 06"
Got box from Joe,Carolina pet supplies.I get most of my stuff and info from him.Hes a real great guy and helped me save my 3 RT's.
Heres a few pics for ya,
http://aboxturtle.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_page=4

 

[Laura]

They are really good climbers and escape artists! I would make sure they cant climb onto the houses or pots or use them as supports to climb over. Put the houses in the middle. I used a pool for my outdoor pen too. mounded the dirt higher in the middle, put the houses there, and they walked in circles all day like they were going forever...then got comfy and didnt do that too much.
Punching lots of holes in the bottown made water drain out quickly enough and you could water the plants as well. To help with drainage , i put gravel down first, then dirt. but it was also too heavy to move!

 

[Crazy1]

Red Ants: mix a solution of dawn dishsoap with water and water the mound. Or if not pets put boraxo or corn meal they will eat it and kill the colony. Dishsoap you may need to use more than once just watch the mounds. A friend of mine swears by this method of getting rid of red ants.

 

[Jenn1]

Thanks everyone,
I have more options now.
Im going to get the top this weekend.
Any one have a pic of a top.Might give me more help,on building one.
Wanted to add that everyone has been great here on the forum