View Full Version : need help building a tortoise pen
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 5:40 PM
so it looks like imma be keeping this guy/girl
my bro's GF cant provide for it nor have the knowledge or understanding to care for it properly. women :irked:
so now realizing how big they get i want to build a 6'x4'x16'' grow out pen for it. hopefully ill be moved out by the time she gets enormous.
but im not sure how imma do it, what i do know it is gonig to be a frame cage out of wood, very light in weight so i can put it indoors during the fall and winter months.
i intend to seal it with something so to protect the wood from the weather and the toroises nasty habits :irked: :nilly:
please help me out
oh heres a pic of the little stinker :D
right now it resides in a 40 gallons, sh was in bad heath when i took her in afew weeks ago, but is making good progress.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a29/FiShBoI87/Picture701.jpg
whats worse is that she is two year old and at this size
a two year old should look like this
rallysman
07-20-2007, 5:42 PM
How about an aluminum frame (pop riveted) with plexiglass windows? you could get everything from lowes or home depot and it would weigh very little
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 5:45 PM
How about an aluminum frame (pop riveted) with plexiglass windows? you could get everything from lowes or home depot and it would weigh very little
is it cheap?
rallysman
07-20-2007, 5:47 PM
Fairly inexpensive. Probably a bit more than wood, but it would be worth it.
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 5:54 PM
how would i go about constructing it?
sounds like welding is involved
rallysman
07-20-2007, 5:54 PM
how would i go about constructing it?
sounds like welding is involved
Nope, with pop rivets all you need is a drill and a pop rivet gun. Really really simple.
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 6:04 PM
Nope, with pop rivets all you need is a drill and a pop rivet gun. Really really simple.
sweet
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 6:04 PM
btw this would be my first diy project so im not familiar with these terms like "pop rivets" so bare with meh :)
rallysman
07-20-2007, 6:06 PM
Here is a quick rundown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_rivet
Keep in mind that when you attach the plexi to the aluminum frame it will add a lot of strength.
i would have built a ply wood box and finished it with stain and poly
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 6:26 PM
what about a plywood base with four 2x4's on each length wise and maybe some kind of resin covered metal mesh going around the whole thing.
iunno
rallysman
07-20-2007, 6:30 PM
what about a plywood base with four 2x4's on each length wise and maybe some kind of resin covered metal mesh going around the whole thing.
iunno
sounds heavy:)
when you start covering things in resin it gets expensive. Price it:)
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 6:31 PM
sounds heavy:)
when you start covering things in resin it gets expensive. Price it:)
k
TheBloodyIrish
07-20-2007, 6:51 PM
I would suggest doing a wooden, plastic or metal pen. Transparent surfaces don't fare well with turtles and tortoises.
Look up what people had done for tortoise tables and pens.
I too would go against using plexi (unless it wasn't see through). Tortoises dont grasp the concept of being able to see somewhere and not go there, and don't do well because of it.
rallysman
07-20-2007, 8:32 PM
I stand corrected. I was only thinking of the enclosure and not the tortoise. I would still use an aluminum frame and maybe PVC sheets instead.
(I don't know much about a tortoise habitat, sorry:()
TheBloodyIrish
07-20-2007, 8:34 PM
(I don't know much about a tortoise habitat, sorry:()
Don't worry, a lot of people don't; one of the reasons why I don't keep them -- I don't know enough about them. Well that, and I don't want to give them to my great grandchildren.
cichla1004
07-20-2007, 8:37 PM
I stand corrected. I was only thinking of the enclosure and not the tortoise. I would still use an aluminum frame and maybe PVC sheets instead.
(I don't know much about a tortoise habitat, sorry:()
Then why are you telling him how to build one? ;) LOL
I usually just fasten 4 pieces of wood to a bottom sheet of plywood using metal brackets and wood screws. I built a 4' x 2' x 16" high tortoise table for my hatchling sulcata this way. It looks like this. Not my pic but mine is almost identical. I built it for about $27
http://www.petzoo.co.uk/images/tortable4big.jpg
cichla1004
07-20-2007, 8:40 PM
BTW, that second pic would be a world record if it was really two years old. The one you took in isn't really that undersized. I think my brothers big guy was 8 inch straight line measurement at 2 years. I'm 99% sure that second one you pictured is more like 4 or 5 years old. My 6 month old is 3 1/2 inch straight line measurement.
Heres a good growth chart http://www.anapsid.org/images/sulcata/sulcata-growth-charts.pdf
rallysman
07-20-2007, 8:42 PM
Then why are you telling him how to build one? ;) LOL
I was suggesting a way to build a light weight, water resistant, portable enclosure to the dimensions he provided (for a low cost).
I wasn't aware of the need for opaque sides. I guess a can of paint could have cured my original "design"
TheBloodyIrish
07-20-2007, 8:43 PM
One can still advise how to build something. ;) He just changed the plexi to PVC now that he is armed with new information.
Awesome turtle pen dude, and I love the gardening you did. :)
cichla1004
07-20-2007, 8:45 PM
I know, I was just messing with him! LOL He actually gave pretty good advice for not knowing much about tortoise pens.
I wish I could take credit for that pen but I can't, I found it online. Mine is nearly Identical though, I'll have to post up pics sometime tomorrow. The little guys sleeping right now so I don't want to bother him.
TheBloodyIrish
07-20-2007, 8:48 PM
:WHOA: Wait... that's not yours?
BAN!
Just kidding. I knew it wasn't yours; I am just pulling your leg.
cichla1004
07-20-2007, 8:49 PM
Yeah if you read the post you'll see where I mentioned that.
TheBloodyIrish
07-20-2007, 8:54 PM
:naughty:
I wonder if anyone actually read these coloured fonts.
You need to definitely post your enclosure if you can.
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 8:56 PM
Then why are you telling him how to build one? ;) LOL
I usually just fasten 4 pieces of wood to a bottom sheet of plywood using metal brackets and wood screws. I built a 4' x 2' x 16" high tortoise table for my hatchling sulcata this way. It looks like this. Not my pic but mine is almost identical. I built it for about $27
http://www.petzoo.co.uk/images/tortable4big.jpg
YES!!! thats what im talking about!! excellent, it might not be the lightest thing but i think it will work.
ill go with that design
dont worry levi, that idea might come in handy when i get a green iguana someday
rallysman
07-20-2007, 8:59 PM
YES!!! thats what im talking about!! excellent, it might not be the lightest thing but i think it will work.
ill go with that design
dont worry levi, that idea might come in handy when i get a green iguana someday
Goodluck bro, make sure you do a DIY thread:D
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 9:02 PM
instead of fluresent tubes though im gonig with two 150 watt powersun bulbs
tortoise trust did a study a found them verry effective and reliable and put out move uvb than tubes
ive used them two nd am very pleased with there perrformance :) :)
rallysman
07-20-2007, 9:03 PM
be careful del, 300w may leave a big carbon stamp;)
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 9:03 PM
be careful del, 300w may leave a big carbon stamp;)
i know :(
good thing i changed all the light bulbs in my house to a lower wattage :D
cichla1004
07-20-2007, 9:09 PM
instead of fluresent tubes though im gonig with two 150 watt powersun bulbs
tortoise trust did a study a found them verry effective and reliable and put out move uvb than tubes
ive used them two nd am very pleased with there perrformance :) :)
I use a 40 watt reptisun and keeps things warm enough. Don't overdo it, they only need about 90 degree fahrenheit (sp?) basking spot.
DeLgAdO
07-20-2007, 9:14 PM
I use a 40 watt reptisun and keeps things warm enough. Don't overdo it, they only need about 90 degree fahrenheit (sp?) basking spot.
actually now im thinknig about 1 150 powersun watt and a 75-100wtt night lamp
john C
07-21-2007, 12:06 AM
man those tortoise get huge i use to have red-foot and yellow foot tortoises and i used 3/4" ply and laminate for counter tops was not light but you need it to be rigid or it will bow. good luck and enjoy your new pet
see if you can find a book called general care and maintenance of African spurred tortoise by Philippe de Voosjoli great book and affordable
cichla1004
07-21-2007, 2:04 PM
man those tortoise get huge i use to have red-foot and yellow foot tortoises and i used 3/4" ply and laminate for counter tops was not light but you need it to be rigid or it will bow. good luck and enjoy your new pet
see if you can find a book called general care and maintenance of African spurred tortoise by Philippe de Voosjoli great book and affordable
I agree, find that book. Tons of good info in there.
RalphP
07-22-2007, 7:55 PM
Hi
I dont know the weather or if you can but I kept my spur tortise in a pen outside.When she was small and the temp got below 40 I brought her inside.As she got bigger her pen had a large plastic box with leaves grass hay she went in there and kept warm.Sorry no pics I will say being outside she was a lot healthier.
Good luck
RalphP
DeLgAdO
07-22-2007, 8:11 PM
Hi
I dont know the weather or if you can but I kept my spur tortise in a pen outside.When she was small and the temp got below 40 I brought her inside.As she got bigger her pen had a large plastic box with leaves grass hay she went in there and kept warm.Sorry no pics I will say being outside she was a lot healthier.
Good luck
RalphP
did the box have any heating source?