Questions about enclosure set-up

[afia365]

Hello,

I see many lovely pictures people share of their enclosures, and am intending to redecorate my Hermann’s one soon. I just have two queries -

One; how are people able to keep certain areas within the enclosure looking a particular way? (almost like mini biomes; separate section where there's stone, plants etc). My tortoise usually destroys any semblance of sections by walking all about through them and moving bits and bobs everywhere. I'm not entirely sure how to achieve this, but would really like to so she has more to do/explore in there.

Two;
How can one prevent mould from forming within the enclosure? I've wondered at how people are able to grow plants inside their tortoise tables and enclosures - how would this be achieved without damaging the wood or causing it to rot? Similarly, how can one keep coir and grass substrates moist without mould forming on them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello,

I see many lovely pictures people share of their enclosures, and am intending to redecorate my Hermann’s one soon. I just have two queries -

One; how are people able to keep certain areas within the enclosure looking a particular way? (almost like mini biomes; separate section where there's stone, plants etc). My tortoise usually destroys any semblance of sections by walking all about through them and moving bits and bobs everywhere. I'm not entirely sure how to achieve this, but would really like to so she has more to do/explore in there.

Two;
How can one prevent mould from forming within the enclosure? I've wondered at how people are able to grow plants inside their tortoise tables and enclosures - how would this be achieved without damaging the wood or causing it to rot? Similarly, how can one keep coir and grass substrates moist without mould forming on them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello!

> One; how are people able to keep certain areas within the enclosure looking a particular way? (almost like mini biomes; separate section where there's stone, plants etc

The answer is... it's not possible Every tortoise has an appetite for destruction, landscape redesign and an iron will to make a mess out of anything. So eventually, substrate layers and areas are mixed up, plants got trampled, hides dragged around. You made a photo of a pristine enclosure before that - you are in luck. Keeping things neat and tidy is a daily job. Larger enclosure, heavier decorations, plants bolted to the walls help a little bit Making different biomes, microclimates and such is fun even if it doesn't last for long - adapt, rebuild, try once more (no jokes here, my routine, basically).

> How can one prevent mould from forming within the enclosure? I've wondered at how people are able to grow plants inside their tortoise tables and enclosures - how would this be achieved without damaging the wood or causing it to rot? Similarly, how can one keep coir and grass substrates moist without mould forming on them?

The best way to protect wood from moisture is not to use wood. Plastics such as HDPE or expanded PVC are the way to go. However, for wooden (or melamine) enclosures, lining the bottom with pond liner or similar plastic fabric works well enough (5 years or more if done right).

Preventing mold on the substrate is a bit more tricky if you want live plants (if plants can grow in substrate, then mold can too). Bright light, some air movement, timely removal of food leftovers help. Also, avoid waterlogging the substrate. Adding detrivores (e.g. springtails) also helps to contain mold growth. Most enclosures go through "mold boom" initially, yet after 2-3 weeks things usually stabilise and mold can be seen only occasionally.

The easier way is to have potted plants and inert substrate (cypress mulch, orchid bark and pure coco coir aren't susceptible to mold).