Outdoor dilemma

[Kristen and cirby]

Cirby is coming up on 7 and has been outside for 2 years. I did my best to build a good enclosure. The house has insulation and a heat pad controlled by a thermostat. I'm in Sacramento and in the winter it freezes once or twice a year. Her house is always 10 degrees warmer than outside but I can't ever get it to 80 degrees even during the day in the winter. It is usually 60-70 degree in the winter. When it's cold and I check her she doesn't feel cold or appear in distress. Is this senerio OK? If not how can I increase the heat without it getting too hot or dry.

Also what is the minimum humidity she can tolerate?
Thanks

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Are you using a heater? The pig blanket is not enough. I use an oil-filled radiator type heater and at the lowest setting it keeps Bob's 20'X12' shed at 80 degrees winter snow, freeze and summer. It's made by DeLonghi. I got mine for $40 at Home Depot
I use a vaporizer like for kids colds nightly, I figure he's out in Oregon's humidity during the day and at night an $11 vaporizer works real well....

 

[Tom]

What size and type of house?

10 degrees over outside ambient is not enough. You need more heat and/or more insulation in there. Your box size and type will dictate which heat source would be best.

Here are two ways to go:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

 

[dmmj]

More or better heat, same with insulation. 10 degrees above outside, won't work when it freezes. I do think I am gonna go stay in bob's shed over the winter. Who's with me?

 

[Kristen and cirby]

I had her dog house made. It has double walls with insulation in between and some sliding vents on the side I can open up in the summer. It's roughly 3 foot square so I don't think it will take much to heat it. I just don't know the best thing to use.

 

[Tom]

I had her dog house made. It has double walls with insulation in between and some sliding vents on the side I can open up in the summer. It's roughly 3 foot square so I don't think it will take much to heat it. I just don't know the best thing to use.

If the ceiling is 24" or less, then a radiant heat panel plugged into the same thermostat as your pig blanket should work. If the ceiling is higher than that you can make a mount out of 2x4s to lower the RHP. Or you could use a mini oil heater, like in my thread that I linked.

I would block those vents off. They are not needed. They are just letting your heat out, even when closed.

Find RHPs here: http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels

 

[Maggie Cummings]

More or better heat, same with insulation. 10 degrees above outside, won't work when it freezes. I do think I am gonna go stay in bob's shed over the winter. Who's with me?

I know you're makin fun, but I have had many a good nap in that shed in the hay....yep!

 

[dmmj]

Actually I am serious;y considering the move. It sounds very warm, plus bob could be my roommate. Though he would prob. consider himself my landlord.

 

[Kristen and cirby]

Thanks for your replies. Me and Cirby appreciate it.
I am just nervous at the thought of leaving the heat on all the time. What if it gets too hot for her or it even catches on fire.
I think I would be more comfortable with the electric one. Are you just using a plain simple one from Target or is it a special indoor/outdoor one?
In the summer her house can get to 100 easily. That worries me too. She can always get out. Is that OK?

What should be my goal for humidity? Is there a good brand humidifier you like?

Thank you so much for your replies. I will try not to bog you down with millions of questions. Cirby has a little pyramiding and I want to do all I can to prevent it from getting worse.

Me and Cirby couldn't fit well in her house. Besides we would both be fighting for the heat pad. LOL

 

[Tom]

Actually I am serious;y considering the move. It sounds very warm, plus bob could be my roommate. Though he would prob. consider himself my landlord.

I had a great comment, but vulgarity is not welcome on family oriented forums, so I will behave. But it woulda been funny...

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I had a great comment, but vulgarity is not welcome on family oriented forums, so I will behave. But it woulda been funny...

Yep, I too am soooo tempted.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for your replies. Me and Cirby appreciate it.
I am just nervous at the thought of leaving the heat on all the time. What if it gets too hot for her or it even catches on fire.
I think I would be more comfortable with the electric one. Are you just using a plain simple one from Target or is it a special indoor/outdoor one?
In the summer her house can get to 100 easily. That worries me too. She can always get out. Is that OK?

What should be my goal for humidity? Is there a good brand humidifier you like?

Thank you so much for your replies. I will try not to bog you down with millions of questions. Cirby has a little pyramiding and I want to do all I can to prevent it from getting worse.

Me and Cirby couldn't fit well in her house. Besides we would both be fighting for the heat pad. LOL

Please DO bog us down with loads of questions. That is how we all learn. Seriously. We are all hear to talk tortoises, so not a soul will be bothered by a million tortoise questions. If you come on here and start asking questions about your car's transmission, you probably won't get a lot of answers...

Answers: You will run whatever heating elements you use on a separate thermostat, so they will shut off when the temperature is warm enough. It will not overheat. If you set things up correctly fire risk is minimal.

I get my "mini oil-filled radiant heaters" from Walmart for about $30. They work great. Run them on your own separate thermostat and only use them on low.

The radiant heat panel might work better for you since it won't take up any floor space in your small box.

I've seen my night boxes heat up to 120 degrees on a hot summer day. No big deal. They can come and go as they please and they have cooler spots elsewhere. Sometimes they like the hot boxes and sit in there to warm up their core.

For humidity, just put a five gallon bucket in the night box 3/4 full of water. The evaporation and warm air will add the needed humidity. Alternatively, you can build shelves and put tubs on the shelves.

There are examples of all of this in the threads I posted for you.

 

[Tom]

Yep, I too am soooo tempted.

Going to PM!

 

[Kristen and cirby]

This is way off the subject but I am having so much trouble finding my way around this site. I can't ever do what I need to do. How do you post photos? I am trying to sell a killer inside enclosure and can't post a photo of it.
This forum is so wonderful but I am not tech savvy and I don't know where to ask for help.
Does anyone know any tricks?
Thanks

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

It's your thread, which a few of us have hijacked.
You'll get used to it.
Are you on a computer, or a phone ap or something ?
if it's a PC, then if you've got the photos on your computer, click on 'UPLOAD A FILE' next to the post reply button. This should take you into your photos and then you can select what you want to post.
Not sure anyone will want a killer enclosure, mind you.
Sounds a bit dangerous.

 

[leigti]

This is way off the subject but I am having so much trouble finding my way around this site. I can't ever do what I need to do. How do you post photos? I am trying to sell a killer inside enclosure and can't post a photo of it.
This forum is so wonderful but I am not tech savvy and I don't know where to ask for help.
Does anyone know any tricks?
Thanks

Are you using the website or the app? I personally find the app much easier to navigate.

 

[Kristen and cirby]

That's where I get even more confused.
I try both my desktop and I pad and go via web site or face book. I don't think I have gone through the app. I will give it a try. Thanks for the other hints too. I will get there's some how.

Oh by the way

It's not really a killer enclosure but Cirby was definitely in heaven when she was in it.