Stock Tank?

[KoopaDaTroopa]

Hello people! I have a baby Russian tortoise and I was wondering if a outdoor stock tank that is sealed with hardware is a good idea? If it is a good idea I plant to get a 300 gallon stock tank when my tortoise in a adult or subadult. As for the rain, I'm pretty sure I could use a pool cover. If any of you had or have stock tanks please let me know if its a good idea and why or when not.

 

[Yvonne G]

Baby tortoises do best in a closed, humid environment.

 

[KoopaDaTroopa]

Baby tortoises do best in a closed, humid environment.

Im talking about adult.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

For adult Russians, a minimum of 8 by 4 feet is recommended.

 

[Tom]

Hello people! I have a baby Russian tortoise and I was wondering if a outdoor stock tank that is sealed with hardware is a good idea? If it is a good idea I plant to get a 300 gallon stock tank when my tortoise in a adult or subadult. As for the rain, I'm pretty sure I could use a pool cover. If any of you had or have stock tanks please let me know if its a good idea and why or when not.

A 300 gallon stock tank would make a great outdoor enclosure for sunning, exercise, and grazing in fair weather. They all have a drain plug which can be removed for drainage. 3-4 inches of river rock topped by 8-12 inches of a perlite free soil/dirt mixture for growing plants would allow for some nice weeds and food plants to be grown, but allow for rain to run out the bottom. Or you can just cover it when you are expecting rain.

Your tortoise will eventually outgrow this and need something bigger.

 

[Yvonne G]

Im talking about adult.

Sorry, I guess I didn't read the whole question.

 

[zovick]

Im talking about adult.

If you do use a stock tank, make sure that you keep the drain plug open to allow water to get out. I know at least two people who have had their tortoises drown in such tanks when torrential rains fell and filled the tanks.

If the tank has no drain plug, you can drill a few holes in the sides at a height which will keep the water at a survivable depth if you happen to get such a storm and are not home.

 

[ATHiker17]

A 300 gallon stock tank would make a great outdoor enclosure for sunning, exercise, and grazing in fair weather. They all have a drain plug which can be removed for drainage. 3-4 inches of river rock topped by 8-12 inches of a perlite free soil/dirt mixture for growing plants would allow for some nice weeds and food plants to be grown, but allow for rain to run out the bottom. Or you can just cover it when you are expecting rain.

Your tortoise will eventually outgrow this and need something bigger.

I'm considering this idea for next spring as a spot to take the babies and juveniles out for an hour or so. My concern is how hot the black plastic will get after a bit of direct sunlight. The whole purpose of getting them outside is to get sunlight, but I don't want them injured. What are your thoughts?

 

[COmtnLady]

You don't want your tortoise to be unable to get into shade, even better, double shade (think a hide placed under a bush, or a bush under an umbrella/roof). While getting UVB is really important, these guys can't regulate their body temps without being able to get away from it when they start feeling too warm.

And -
Every species of tortoise needs to be in an enclosed chamber for the first two to three years of life. It actually isn't particularly good for little ones to be out in variable air temps and inconsistent humidity for any length of time. Think mid-80s for each.

They also need daily warm-water (95F) soaks. for at least a half an hour. Don't allow them to get chilled.

 

[Tom]

I'm considering this idea for next spring as a spot to take the babies and juveniles out for an hour or so. My concern is how hot the black plastic will get after a bit of direct sunlight. The whole purpose of getting them outside is to get sunlight, but I don't want them injured. What are your thoughts?

I use lots of black tubs and I've never had an issue with those compared to any other container in the sun.

 

[zovick]

I'm considering this idea for next spring as a spot to take the babies and juveniles out for an hour or so. My concern is how hot the black plastic will get after a bit of direct sunlight. The whole purpose of getting them outside is to get sunlight, but I don't want them injured. What are your thoughts?

I always used galvanized metal stock tanks. Never had a problem with heat from the sun being an issue.