Tortoise question

nuno · 02-12-03, 08:32 AM

Hi everyone, My friend has two Tortoises and needs a new enclosue. She is using melamine but due to the high humidity required the melamine is ruined. Can anyone suggest a good enclosure building material that can stand high humidity and look good. Due to the fact that I have no knowledge of Tortoise husbandry I have come for your help.

( I don't think the melamine was sealed properly)

Thanks,
Nuno

Wu-Gwei · 02-12-03, 11:24 AM

What kind of a tortoise does your friend have???

Cheers,
JJ

Scotty Allen · 02-12-03, 12:06 PM

3/4 " plywood, stained and multiple coats of varnish.

nuno · 02-12-03, 12:06 PM

Oh sorry they're redfoots thanks!!

Wu-Gwei · 02-13-03, 07:31 PM

I figured it would be Red Foots. I haven't seen too many other tropical species.

Anyway, cyprus mulch by itself or you can make a mixture of topsoil, sphagnum moss and "Bed-A-Beast." Whatevere you use, it's important to find something that can retain the moisture for the tort.

I have even heard of people using newspaper as well, but that's their choice. I think you need to choose something for yourself. It may depend on your area and your tort's preference.

Good luck.

Cheers,
JJ

Linds · 02-15-03, 10:30 PM

I'm in the process of building a new enclosure for my redfoot. I'm building it out of pegboard, OSB, with pine faceplates. I've been searching for what seems like forever for a solution to the humidity problem. I wanted the enclosure to be able to hold up to peat moss or topsoil, and not just short term. I have decided to go with an epoxy finish. This will be able to withstand the wettest conditions, and longterm at that. Even melamine isn't waterproof, and will eventually give way (even if sealed properly) under wet conditions. Another option I was looking into was putting a pond liner in the bottom and urethane on the rest of the enclosure, but that still wasn't sealed enough for my preference. Hope this helped

nuno · 02-16-03, 02:43 AM

Linds, That's really helpfull thank-you sooooooo much!!

gfisher2002 · 03-10-03, 10:26 PM

I usually line my enclosures with 1/16 or 1/8 inch plexiglass. Linolium, malamine or other water resistant materials works equally as well. I don't have glass sides though, I use 3/4 inch plywood with plexiglass lining.(I found 2X4 sheets of 1/16 at co-op for $14) I found my torts never really understood glass. They always tried to walk through it. Maybe I'm spoiling them but I thought it might be stressful.

gfisher2002 · 03-10-03, 10:29 PM

Oh, sorry to post again but I was going to say....I use 75% Cypress Mulch and 25% Sand. (50/50 for my russians) The play sand from Home Depot is like 5 bucks for a massive bag. Just watch your red foot doesn't eat the sand around his food dish.

Jaylyn · 03-11-03, 10:15 AM

For my redfoots I use a base of 50/50 sand/peat moss and then cover it with a couple inches of sphagnum moss that I keep moist. Mine are still small - so the big sweater box works for now...Great ideas for when they are older, though.
Jaylyn

jadegrasse · 03-17-03, 10:40 AM

I'm building one out of 3/4" ply and am building it so that two rubbermaids fit snug to the bottom of the enclosure. There will be screened vents below the tubs to allow any water that does make it down to dry out. It will have sliding glass doors that lift out for easy cleaning and will be totally enclosed with a double sealed screen top for other herps when the torts out grow it. The white malamine looks good and is cheap but you get what you pay for.

Alain