plants

cove61 · 30-06-2006, 10:03 PM

i see on some of the tables you have plants on them, are they real or fake, i have now decided to use a large rabbit cage (in case my youngest cocker spaniel decided to try and join any tort that may be there (he's not nasty or anything just wouldnt trust him) it arrived today and looks rather bigger than i expected, as i still have no tort yet i am still looking at stuff to put in to make it look less empty, if i put in fake ones will it try to eat it or will they not bother.

veebee · 30-06-2006, 10:12 PM

You can get fake ones from reptile shops, I use one to cover the unsightly wires, but real ones are better inside the enclosure, you can keep them in the pots and change them for variety. You could add a tray of weeds, or a pansy, petunia and cactus's etc, all are safe for them to eat.

Vivienne

Puncture.uk · 01-07-2006, 12:42 AM

Just to add a note of caution though... Not all species of cacti are safe - the 'Christmas Cactus' (actually a succulant) is poisononous to tortoises and some species like Opuntia Microdasys have real nasty irritant glass-fibre like hairs. These 'hairs' won't give you or your tort a nice time - they are a real, reeeaaal pain to get out!!
I would definately go for real plants / trays of weeds rather than plastic though if you can - I would hate to think what plastic might do to their insides... I'm not sure if they are stupid enough to eat them though?
In my parents garden they have a SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) cable running into their shed and always complained of it looking unsightly against the plants. I got thinking and remembered having some 'real-tree' / 'Supaflauge' gun tape (google it!) - I taped the SWA up with it and it was problem solved (just make sure you dont wack a spade through it after by mistake!!) - Now, maybe you could employ something similar on the ugly wires etc? Just an idea anyway

I would always try and run any cables through PVC conduit/ PVC water pipe if you can - This prevents them getting nibbled and/or prevents UV induced cable break down etc. If you do though only fill the conduit with cables to about 40%-45% capacity else it may get to hot.

Sam

01-07-2006, 01:00 AM

what is uv induced cable break plase

linda

Puncture.uk · 01-07-2006, 01:39 AM

It is where exposure to UV radiation from the sun breaks down (cracks or makes brittle etc) the flex / cable's outer PVC sheath. This could lead to short-circuits, earth-leakage or fires etc etc. Also, the conduit / pipe (make sure it IS PVC AND NOT METAL!) keeps the cables from getting to hot in the sun (the hotter it gets = the more electrical resistance = possible failure of the appliance)

And besides all of the boring electrical mumbo-jumbo above, I think it makes everything look a lot neater!

01-07-2006, 02:05 AM

thanks puncture

i am still learning

much appreciated

linda x

30-06-2006, 10:03 PM	#1
cove61 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: aberdeen Posts: 37	plants i see on some of the tables you have plants on them, are they real or fake, i have now decided to use a large rabbit cage (in case my youngest cocker spaniel decided to try and join any tort that may be there (he's not nasty or anything just wouldnt trust him) it arrived today and looks rather bigger than i expected, as i still have no tort yet i am still looking at stuff to put in to make it look less empty, if i put in fake ones will it try to eat it or will they not bother.

30-06-2006, 10:12 PM	#2
veebee Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,109	You can get fake ones from reptile shops, I use one to cover the unsightly wires, but real ones are better inside the enclosure, you can keep them in the pots and change them for variety. You could add a tray of weeds, or a pansy, petunia and cactus's etc, all are safe for them to eat. Vivienne

01-07-2006, 12:42 AM	#3
Puncture.uk Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Staffordshire Posts: 18	Just to add a note of caution though... Not all species of cacti are safe - the 'Christmas Cactus' (actually a succulant) is poisononous to tortoises and some species like Opuntia Microdasys have real nasty irritant glass-fibre like hairs. These 'hairs' won't give you or your tort a nice time - they are a real, reeeaaal pain to get out!! I would definately go for real plants / trays of weeds rather than plastic though if you can - I would hate to think what plastic might do to their insides... I'm not sure if they are stupid enough to eat them though? In my parents garden they have a SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) cable running into their shed and always complained of it looking unsightly against the plants. I got thinking and remembered having some 'real-tree' / 'Supaflauge' gun tape (google it!) - I taped the SWA up with it and it was problem solved (just make sure you dont wack a spade through it after by mistake!!) - Now, maybe you could employ something similar on the ugly wires etc? Just an idea anyway I would always try and run any cables through PVC conduit/ PVC water pipe if you can - This prevents them getting nibbled and/or prevents UV induced cable break down etc. If you do though only fill the conduit with cables to about 40%-45% capacity else it may get to hot. Sam

01-07-2006, 01:00 AM	#4
aprillinda Guest Posts: n/a	what is uv induced cable break plase linda

01-07-2006, 01:39 AM	#5
Puncture.uk Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Staffordshire Posts: 18	It is where exposure to UV radiation from the sun breaks down (cracks or makes brittle etc) the flex / cable's outer PVC sheath. This could lead to short-circuits, earth-leakage or fires etc etc. Also, the conduit / pipe (make sure it IS PVC AND NOT METAL!) keeps the cables from getting to hot in the sun (the hotter it gets = the more electrical resistance = possible failure of the appliance) And besides all of the boring electrical mumbo-jumbo above, I think it makes everything look a lot neater!

01-07-2006, 02:05 AM	#6
aprillinda Guest Posts: n/a	thanks puncture i am still learning much appreciated linda x

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