Question about tortoise tables

[justnoskill]

I'm thinking of building an enclosure for my redfoot. Should the wood be treated at all with a finish or something to block out moisture? If not...don't they get moldy from the high humidity?

Thanks

 

[Madkins007]

Well coated, and/or lined with plastic or something. Making a 'bathtub' of a tough plastic works nicely- like a shower curtain.

 

[justnoskill]

Thanks again

 

[tortoisenerd]

A heavy shower curtain, shower pan liner (thick gray plastic at a home improvement store they will cut for you), or pond liner works great. You can use a staple gun to attach it. I would love to experiment with using spray-on truck bed liner or similar to essentially make a plastic surface in a wood tort table. Some people like to treat the wood with polyurethane in addition to the liner (use water based, follow the instructions on the container as for the number of coats, and let it de-fume for about a week).

There are however other options besides tort tables, but for large ones the price gets up there quickly. I got a Vision plastic tub for my tort for Christmas (about 6 x 3, semi opaque, and they make an even bigger one)...these are made with reptiles in mind so they have some nice size choices. Stock tanks (like for livestock) can work too...they come in metal or plastic. Waterland makes two sizes of land tubs (black plastic). We like the look and ease of cleaning better for a plastic tub, and are hoping it will be a good investment. We just didn't want to deal with the extra weight of the wood and the difficulty of building something as large as we needed.

Its important to get the enclosure up off the floor either way, so you are looking at building or buying a table/stand (for drafts, ease of seeing and caring for the tort, and to make heating it easier). For redfoots, many people make an aquarium or vivarium work...helps with humidity...and its easier because you don't need the extreme temp graidnet like desert torts...but I would beware of air circulation. Either way, you are likely covering part of it.

 

[justnoskill]

Thanks. I have her in a large storage tub, the picture is in another post, but it seems like it's too small. It's only temporary, the best I could come up with when the boyfriend "suprised" me bringing her home.

Good to know there's several options available for larger size enclosures.

Thanks

 

[Mao Senpai]

In a month or so when I move, I will be building new enclosures or two and I am going to try out the marine resin idea to coat the inside. Since it's used to coat boats and stuff to waterproof them I figure it would work fine for the enclosure. Not to mention give me ideas on other things.

 

[John]

here are my two the first is coated with spar urethane,the second is a crate lined with selfadhesive linoleum.i am currently building an 8x8 enclosure iwill be using an old pool liner for this one

these worked for me cause other than the urethane i didn't need too buy any materials,so they might not be perfect but they are functionable,note the first one is made of birch plywood except for the hide box lid itry not too use pine,the crate is o.k. cause its lined 12 inches up with linoleum. thanks john

 

[lynnedit]

I am building an inside tort table soon, too, and do plan to coat with spar urethane, water based, as well. However, I do think the marine resin or fiberglass coating over the top is a very good idea (I have a Russian and hear they can dig through linoleum). You can pour it on, brush it over all surfaces and let it set.
I am sure the urethane would likely be enough, but this is extra protection...
I saw this link somewhere here on this forum, I believe. Scroll down to Tom's entry.
http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/help-me/47169-polyurethane-polycrylic-tortoise-box.html

In a month or so when I move, I will be building new enclosures or two and I am going to try out the marine resin idea to coat the inside. Since it's used to coat boats and stuff to waterproof them I figure it would work fine for the enclosure. Not to mention give me ideas on other things.

 

[John]

I am building an inside tort table soon, too, and do plan to coat with spar urethane, water based, as well. However, I do think the marine resin or fiberglass coating over the top is a very good idea (I have a Russian and hear they can dig through linoleum). You can pour it on, brush it over all surfaces and let it set.
I am sure the urethane would likely be enough, but this is extra protection...
I saw this link somewhere here on this forum, I believe. Scroll down to Tom's entry.
http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/help-me/47169-polyurethane-polycrylic-tortoise-box.html

In a month or so when I move, I will be building new enclosures or two and I am going to try out the marine resin idea to coat the inside. Since it's used to coat boats and stuff to waterproof them I figure it would work fine for the enclosure. Not to mention give me ideas on other things.

i keep leopards so not worried about the digging right now,for the record i,ve used urethane for several enclosures mostly for snakes,and am getting away from it for a few reasons the main one being there are far better things out there now so its time too give up some of my old habits i've kept reptiles 35 years now and can be hard headed and set in my ways at times.but it only makes sense too change this one urethane if used must be spar (outdoor grade) which is around 45 bucks a gallon it usually takes four coats.so thats four days and then a week or more too air out.the heavy rubber iners can be much cheaper if not free if your creative and its a few hours installation.just my experience. john