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Old 14-08-2016, 03:56 PM   #1
Anyfoot
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Default How I built my indoor hingeback enclosure

This is how I built my indoor enclosure for when I had 4 homes hingebacks, I've since upgraded to a much bigger one, but this design could work for a few other species too.
The concept is basically in 2 halves, one side is covered with perspex, this side contains the heat and uvb, its covered so I can keep the heat and humidity levels correct year round. The open side is basically an indoor garden that is open to the natural room temps. This enclosure is about 5x6ft, so not huge but with plenty of outdoor time when possible it works fine.

I started with 2 simple cargo creates I had built(about £50 for both), you could easily do this with 2 old cupboards or chest of drawers laid on there back, we just didn't have any at the time.
Then I cut a hole in each box to act as a doorway between the 2.
Then I lined both boxes with a liner, pond liner will do but they sell a heavy duty liner at B&Q much cheaper, I've known people use shower curtains too, anything that will hold the moist substrate from rotting the wood. As these are a rainforest species they require it extra wet.

Then I put in coco coir for substrate at around 6" deep, followed by plants, hides, dried leaves, cyprus mulch. Basically anything that imitates the forest floor and provides safety for worms, slugs, snails, woodlice and any other bugs that get in there. This helps to create an indoor bio ecosystem.
It worked very well apart form my herd got too big for this enclosure.

You can see where I had to upgrade the fence because these guys are the masters of climbing in the tortoise world.

Anyway, hope it helps someone with ideas.














Then I upgraded the fence






Because this species is a forest dwelling tortoise it doesn't require a basking spot and doesn't like it too bright, so i created a fake vine canopy under the UVB source, So the UVB acts like its dappled through the trees.



Thank you

Craig

Last edited by Anyfoot; 14-08-2016 at 04:00 PM.
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Old 14-08-2016, 06:56 PM   #2
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Really well thought out Crqig, simple but effective!
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Old 14-08-2016, 08:17 PM   #3
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Very impressive and given me lots more ideas to be a little more creative in the outbuilding area.

Thank you
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Old 15-08-2016, 01:58 PM   #4
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Very clever, Craig. It looks really good. As Lynn says, simple but effective. I'm sure it'll give others a lot of ideas.
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Old 15-08-2016, 02:02 PM   #5
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Thanks Emma,. Yeah there are always many ways to achieve the same thing, if this thread gives just one person some new ideas then it was worth it.
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Old 15-08-2016, 02:22 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anyfoot View Post
Thanks Emma,. Yeah there are always many ways to achieve the same thing, if this thread gives just one person some new ideas then it was worth it.
Definitely and you underestimate yourself - with the photos of the enclosures you've been posting I think you'll be giving lots of people some incentives and ideas.
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Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine
Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca
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Old 15-08-2016, 09:43 PM   #7
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That's brilliant, and very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 15-08-2016, 09:48 PM   #8
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loving all the wood. Very very nice and great ideas, CB
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Old 16-01-2017, 06:01 PM   #9
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Amazing! Well done
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