I want my tort (a not-yet purchased Hermann's) to get used to high humidity because s/he will be in an outdoor enclosure most of the year. Here in south Louisiana our DAILY humidity ranges from 90%-50% much of the time. It averages out to 70% daily but it feels a lot muggier!
I got the indoor/winter enclosure started last week: 1/2 inch untreated plywood floor and sides 4' x 3' and 18" tall. I will be using primer plus 2 coats of semi-gloss latex enamel to paint it and will seal any crevices with silicone caulk. I plan to put a hinged plexiglass top on it to help keep humidity in.
I intend to use a combination of organic potting soil and coconut coir (70-30% ratio) because I want it heavily planted. I will be sinking some pots into the substrate (I've got begonias and spider plants rooting now) and will sow tort seed mix directly into the soil. I know plants will increase the humidity of the enclosure.
Do I need to think about ventilation? I read somewhere else that a person provided natural ventilation by drilling just a few larger holes closer to the substrate level and a few smaller holes near the top (smaller so they would't lose too much humidity). Or is it easier to just prop up the lid? I work full time and my hubby is not "into" torts enough to check on the enclosure humidity during the day to make adjustments.
I got the indoor/winter enclosure started last week: 1/2 inch untreated plywood floor and sides 4' x 3' and 18" tall. I will be using primer plus 2 coats of semi-gloss latex enamel to paint it and will seal any crevices with silicone caulk. I plan to put a hinged plexiglass top on it to help keep humidity in.
I intend to use a combination of organic potting soil and coconut coir (70-30% ratio) because I want it heavily planted. I will be sinking some pots into the substrate (I've got begonias and spider plants rooting now) and will sow tort seed mix directly into the soil. I know plants will increase the humidity of the enclosure.
Do I need to think about ventilation? I read somewhere else that a person provided natural ventilation by drilling just a few larger holes closer to the substrate level and a few smaller holes near the top (smaller so they would't lose too much humidity). Or is it easier to just prop up the lid? I work full time and my hubby is not "into" torts enough to check on the enclosure humidity during the day to make adjustments.