Tort outside hide construction and results, 20 f lows.

[GreatWest]

Hide I built for Shellie. We are in Las Vegas NV where it gets down to 20f. Thanks to Tom for his crucial construction tips ( not to big!, heat above and below Tort and many more). While some may find this a little rough , I remember my fathers words "Your not building a Piano!" Don't get bogged down on making it perfect. The base is Pressure Treated (PT) 4x4 with PT 2x4 rim joists, the base insulation is the same 1 1/2 foam through out (except lid is 1"). use 9/16" or better for the floor itself. Walls are 2x2's with 1/8" hardboard (Masonite) on the inside and 3/4" 1x 6" used as siding. It is all nailed & stapled together . The lid/roof can be 2x2 frame also, but i used light angle as I had it laying around. In fact I only purchased the roofing , insulation and plywood floor. Teh rest i had , that is why you see some PT 2x2's. The lumber I had was twisted and ugly but it worked. The heat is Kane (100w?) pig mat below that runs 115f though it supposed to be 95f max. Above heat is 200 W Cozy Products Chicken coop heater mounted to the lid that runs11

 

[Maro2Bear]

But the chickens. Are they in there as well.?

Nice build!

 

[Tom]

Hide I built for Shellie. We are in Las Vegas NV where it gets down to 20f. Thanks to Tom for his crucial construction tips ( not to big!, heat above and below Tort and many more). While some may find this a little rough , I remember my fathers words "Your not building a Piano!" Don't get bogged down on making it perfect. The base is Pressure Treated (PT) 4x4 with PT 2x4 rim joists, the base insulation is the same 1 1/2 foam through out (except lid is 1"). use 9/16" or better for the floor itself. Walls are 2x2's with 1/8" hardboard (Masonite) on the inside and 3/4" 1x 6" used as siding. It is all nailed & stapled together . The lid/roof can be 2x2 frame also, but i used light angle as I had it laying around. In fact I only purchased the roofing , insulation and plywood floor. Teh rest i had , that is why you see some PT 2x2's. The lumber I had was twisted and ugly but it worked. The heat is Kane (100w?) pig mat below that runs 115f though it supposed to be 95f max. Above heat is 200 W Cozy Products Chicken coop heater mounted to the lid that runs11 View attachment 352856 View attachment 352841 View attachment 352842 View attachment 352843 View attachment 352844 View attachment 352845 View attachment 352846 View attachment 352847 View attachment 352848 View attachment 352849 View attachment 352850 View attachment 352851 View attachment 352852 View attachment 352853 View attachment 352854 View attachment 352855 View attachment 352839 View attachment 352851

I love your semi-circle door, and your roof is fantastic!

Yeah... The chickens gotta go somewhere else, or the tortoise does.

I don't think the heat mat and RHP will be enough to heat a box that large in those temps. I use the Kane mat/RHO combo in my 4x4 foot box which have an internal floor of around 39x39 inches and 21 inches of airspace once its all built.

Your box appears to be white a bit larger than that. Your thermometer will answer this questions for sure, but I think you need a mini radiant oil heater for a box this size. You also need weather stripping around the top and clear door flaps to hold heat in.

 

[GreatWest]

But the chickens. Are they in there as well.?

Nice build!

The chicken have their own coop, they are nosy. Thanks . Some questions I still have - There is a "master" thermostat (if you will) that is set for 75. The under mat gets to 115, overhead 112 , surface temps. The stat reads 74 while Shellies shell reads 69 (as shown). I have found her off the mats a few times (cooling down?). Does she need a window to see the time of the day? It is totally weather stripped so I'm wondering about ventilation. The hog matt says no flammables so no to hay substrate. I'm thinking of p gravel or dirt . What would be a good substrate? I'll be looking at a mini oil heater. Thanks again.

 

[Tom]

The chicken have their own coop, they are nosy. Thanks . Some questions I still have - There is a "master" thermostat (if you will) that is set for 75. The under mat gets to 115, overhead 112 , surface temps. The stat reads 74 while Shellies shell reads 69 (as shown). I have found her off the mats a few times (cooling down?). Does she need a window to see the time of the day? It is totally weather stripped so I'm wondering about ventilation. The hog matt says no flammables so no to hay substrate. I'm thinking of p gravel or dirt . What would be a good substrate? I'll be looking at a mini oil heater. Thanks again.

Set the thermostat to 86 in winter, so that heating elements remain "on" when the air temp in the box is less than that. Reduce them to 80 when favorable sunny weather abounds in spring and fall, and shut it all off during your scorching summer.

Place the probe from the thermostats far from any heat source and down low in the box.

Don't worry about the surface temps of the mat or RHP.

Regular dirt from the yard makes the best substrate. Safe, easy to clean, and good for the tort.

No need for a window. Their burrows have no windows in the wild, and once you open the door in the morning, the tort can see the daylight through the clear flaps.