How do I set up a greenhouse for the tortoises?

[justmeandmytortoise]

I have bought a 6x8 greenhouse and plan to house the tortoises in it.

A friend who does DIY has kindly offered to put it up for me.

On three sides he has dug into the soil a 'trench' for footings to lay the frame on. He has placed breeze blocks (the pale blue ones that are light to carry) into the 'trench' ... no concrete, and then filled in the 'trench' around the breeze blocks with the soil. The breeze blocks are completely sunken in with only the tops showing.

One side has the breeze blocks cemented onto a concrete path.

He plans to lay the metal frame on top of the breeze blocks ....

I know nothing about DIY ... building etc.

Is this ok? Will the breeze blocks soak up the water and collapse after a few years? Would love some advice please .... Thanks

[lynnedit]

Unless your soil is very sandy, etc., then what your friend is doing sounds fine.
Hopefully the soil is packed down below and around the breeze blocks.
Will he cut a small door for them to get in and out to an outside run?

[sandy]

Originally Posted by justmeandmytortoise

I have bought a 6x8 greenhouse and plan to house the tortoises in it.

A friend who does DIY has kindly offered to put it up for me.

On three sides he has dug into the soil a 'trench' for footings to lay the frame on. He has placed breeze blocks (the pale blue ones that are light to carry) into the 'trench' ... no concrete, and then filled in the 'trench' around the breeze blocks with the soil. The breeze blocks are completely sunken in with only the tops showing.

One side has the breeze blocks cemented onto a concrete path.

He plans to lay the metal frame on top of the breeze blocks ....

I know nothing about DIY ... building etc.

Is this ok? Will the breeze blocks soak up the water and collapse after a few years? Would love some advice please .... Thanks

Hi Wendy

Having used concrete and the light grey/blue brieze blocks around the garden for walls to keep tortoises from going where they shouldnt:0) The lighter ones do absorb water and can easily break. Concrete ones are heavier and more sturdy.
My GH's are both on footings with bricks to support the frame. I have had them at least ten years now, with no problems with them.
The light blocks will and do disintegrate eventually.

[justmeandmytortoise]

Thanks Sandy ... I spelt breeze blocks wrong ... do you think I need to tell my DIY chap to dig them all up and replace with concrete?

[sandy]

Originally Posted by justmeandmytortoise

Thanks Sandy ... I spelt breeze blocks wrong ... do you think I need to tell my DIY chap to dig them all up and replace with concrete?

If it were me I would say yes, to be on the safe side. I did ask Roy who did my GH if the light brieze blocks would absorb water, and he agreed they would. Saying that bricks do, but they dont disintergrate so easily:0)