2017 Tortoise Enclosure

[Jan W]

All very impressive.

Are you totting up the cost? Or if you are like me I never go for a total and then everything seems quite cheap!

I'm adding a cold frame outside this year with a little house attached and that seems like a big job. Beatrice is happily taking herself off to bed in their pen inside an outhouse, but Bertie would just stay outside if he could. I've been interested to hear ideas on this so thought I will give it a go. I think I will use one of Alan's ideas too.

I am so looking forward to photos of the torts in there eventually.

[CherryBrandy]

Originally Posted by Jan W

All very impressive.

Are you totting up the cost? Or if you are like me I never go for a total and then everything seems quite cheap!

I'm adding a cold frame outside this year with a little house attached and that seems like a big job. Beatrice is happily taking herself off to bed in their pen inside an outhouse, but Bertie would just stay outside if he could. I've been interested to hear ideas on this so thought I will give it a go. I think I will use one of Alan's ideas too.

I am so looking forward to photos of the torts in there eventually.

So like your style Jan ! Going to try that formula for calculations in future ! We need to feast our eyes on Tort Knox too btw !! CB

[Midlandtortoise]

Tiling and grouting is complete. Please excuse the glass it's not clean The tiles are 6.5 inches high in sides. Granted I know females will climb over everything when gravid. I'm gonna play this by ear.
I've spent quite a lot on this not really had a budget just a vision in my head. I will be landscaping outside. The shed is really for the poor weather and colder days. I will be putting a door outside for them to go in and out as they please. Just got to decide on colour for the wood now. Electrics and outdoor area to be completed next.

[Suze65]

What! Dirty glass ! Only joking. Your vision for your torts is outstanding, your dedication to your torts is exceptional, and wonderful to see. Really enjoying seeing this tort shed evolve. Please post more pics of the outside enclosure as it evolves , we love to see other people's ideas.

[emma_mcraf]

Originally Posted by Suze65

What! Dirty glass ! Only joking. Your vision for your torts is outstanding, your dedication to your torts is exceptional, and wonderful to see. Really enjoying seeing this tort shed evolve. Please post more pics of the outside enclosure as it evolves , we love to see other people's ideas.

Agreed. It's really nice to see the shed evolve, step by step.
With the hatchlings and the shed both on the go, you must be dreaming about torts too!

[Midlandtortoise]

I appreciate all your kind words.

[Sulkys'Dad]

Looking fantastic! I'd intended going this way myself but have now decided to dedicate an 8x4 section of an existing shed.

Are you relying on daylight for UV or will you be adding UV lights?

This is the bit I'm really struggling on. i was going to fit a greenhouse window to flood with UVB but I'm told on the Sulcata FB site that these windows still filter. I'm really not convinced that the UV tubes/lights emit the UV far enough in a large enclosure.

[Midlandtortoise]

I will use t5 strip lights more than likely. I may look at getting a UV meter to monitor levels. The glass is horticulture grade.
Painted just to seal around tiles



Now sealed



Really nice day today therefore decided to prepare the outside area. Theres a lot of work being done here. There were slabs and all sorts in the ground which Ive spent clearing. Also the ground needs levelling off to stop water trickling onto shed base



I've not put blocks in place they were just there for a guide. I will be making a wall with these and putting coping stones and rendering in time.

[emma_mcraf]

So much thought and hard labour going into this. Thanks for the update.

[Midlandtortoise]

Wall is going up since the weather was wonderful today

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Managed to get the front done today

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