- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
- Messages
- 8,803
Mike hello!
, in any case of what you decide to use as flooring, two things I have learned , which sorta ties in with the lighting,temp ect.... If your area is cold .. 50 to me is freezing ( it's about average 72 here and I worry about the damp, cooler nights we get sometimes for my leo's and sully's)...and Iam sure to a species who's orgins/genetics are from Africa its cold for them too! I didnt say it was impossible to keep one in these temps, but ...??
The raised floor is a great idea .. and as others posted.... Block off outside suround to "grade" level to keep the *critters* out. ( funny you cold peeps .. prob dont have to deal with ants .. or do you?). To be direct, the most important thing is to think about is cleanliness , and EASE of cleaning. For your floor , if you do use ply wood, make sure at least 3/4 and spend the extra and get marine plywood , it will last longer. The down fall of using ply... it warps ( no matter how close your floor joist are together) and this process is even excelled when your tort urinates on the floor. SO with that in mind you should
A: .. extend the lip of the floor beyond the actual house ( this way the debri does not collect under your floor in your void when washing out....
B : Slope the floor . From back wall at 2%... ( or 1/4 per foot) . This will allow for drainge when " wash out " time is needed.
To be honest the best for outdoor enclosure's is Concrete! you can slope the floor , great for wash out ,use any substraight ...timithy hay , alfa ect ...to keep tort happy/warm for bedding .
When dirty you sweep out , hose down . sanatize .. and add new Hay *POOF* its done and clean!
This sounds like an extreme , but honest later down the years when ya see your 100 lb torts poop you'll understand.
Which brings back to the temp ... all this is a plan ahead ..if its cold and your tort spend alot of time indoors .. then .. Wa ~La .." makes sense" ... When they are small its not all that bad .. but think of the Grand Picture ...For such a Grand Tortoise ! =:>)
PS : if you do use plywood .... I would coat it with a " truck bed" rubberized coating ... its easy to apply , cost effective , and found at auto parts store. This will put a moisture barrier and save your plywood. Plus it makes it easy to wipe out.
Happy Building!
JD
, in any case of what you decide to use as flooring, two things I have learned , which sorta ties in with the lighting,temp ect.... If your area is cold .. 50 to me is freezing ( it's about average 72 here and I worry about the damp, cooler nights we get sometimes for my leo's and sully's)...and Iam sure to a species who's orgins/genetics are from Africa its cold for them too! I didnt say it was impossible to keep one in these temps, but ...??
The raised floor is a great idea .. and as others posted.... Block off outside suround to "grade" level to keep the *critters* out. ( funny you cold peeps .. prob dont have to deal with ants .. or do you?). To be direct, the most important thing is to think about is cleanliness , and EASE of cleaning. For your floor , if you do use ply wood, make sure at least 3/4 and spend the extra and get marine plywood , it will last longer. The down fall of using ply... it warps ( no matter how close your floor joist are together) and this process is even excelled when your tort urinates on the floor. SO with that in mind you should
A: .. extend the lip of the floor beyond the actual house ( this way the debri does not collect under your floor in your void when washing out....
B : Slope the floor . From back wall at 2%... ( or 1/4 per foot) . This will allow for drainge when " wash out " time is needed.
To be honest the best for outdoor enclosure's is Concrete! you can slope the floor , great for wash out ,use any substraight ...timithy hay , alfa ect ...to keep tort happy/warm for bedding .
When dirty you sweep out , hose down . sanatize .. and add new Hay *POOF* its done and clean!
This sounds like an extreme , but honest later down the years when ya see your 100 lb torts poop you'll understand.
Which brings back to the temp ... all this is a plan ahead ..if its cold and your tort spend alot of time indoors .. then .. Wa ~La .." makes sense" ... When they are small its not all that bad .. but think of the Grand Picture ...For such a Grand Tortoise ! =:>)
PS : if you do use plywood .... I would coat it with a " truck bed" rubberized coating ... its easy to apply , cost effective , and found at auto parts store. This will put a moisture barrier and save your plywood. Plus it makes it easy to wipe out.
Happy Building!
JD