tortoise table

[user 19915]

Any one got a video or know of some simple plans for a tortoise table for indoor use

 

[monkeybiter]

Have a look on eBay for tortoise tables. I almost got round to making and selling them at one time, the standard available is mostly very poor and the prices are very high.
You will see that plans are not really needed for most.
I would suggest you use mfc and seal the joints around the base [inside] to prevent any urine or water spillage soaking into the 'wood' and to enable easy cleaning.

 

[user 19915]

Sorry for my resonance but what is mfc

 

[monkeybiter]

Melamine Faced Chipboard ;

e.g. http://www.diy.com/search/results/?question=mfc

 

[user 19915]

Thank you could i seal the inside with SILICONE SEALANT ? Would this affect the tortoise in any way

 

[monkeybiter]

AFAIK Yes, but the bog standard stuff comes with a biocide anti fungal or similar, so you need to use the stuff without just in case there is any detrimental effect on the animal.

e.g. http://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect.c...BxhthsPstKx2yEuWurQl-_xyt_NvDHCjYphoCaU3w_wcB

This is what I would use, I don't think you'll have any problems with it in combination with the MFC, but make sure once applied it is smoothed back to avoid any pokey bits for the animal to bite.

 

[xy mosian]

Here's me thinking " You'll never stand a pint on a curved top like that."
xy

 

[monkeybiter]

Here's me thinking " You'll never stand a pint on a curved top like that."
xy

If you place them upside down the males can be quite useful, whereas the the females are not fit for purpose. Bah. Humbug. !

 

[Claymore]

what would a tortoise do with a table? do they sit on mini chairs for dinnertime? ya learn something new everyday! 9-)

 

[user 19915]

My tortoise is a little shy and i was hoping she would come out of her shell :lol:

 

[Homerjh]

I made one for our Leopard, was VERY easy.

a sheet of MDF, IIRC it was 3/4" and was a standard sheet size in B&Q, cant remember exact but was probably 1.5M longish by 80cm or so (dont quote me!)

then each sidewall was butt jointed, 2 planks high of pine square planed. Screwed from the underside.

this made a substantially strong and big table.

then a mount for the heat lamp, this was essentially an upside down L, metal L bracket, and a screw with big washer for the lamp end.

i did have a shelter area, but it wasnt really used so removed it.

Also used B&Q sticky floor tiles for the base and walls to make it easier to keep clean.

this lasted a number of years till he outgrew the table and is now outside in a heated shed (32 degree under his lamp, ambient in the rest of the area is no les than 25!) , with a large outside run.

I then affixed 4 legs (3x2" wood) to each corner and was a workbench/table in the cellar for another few years, rock solid and stable as anything.

there was plenty of water and suchlike spilt, no real damage to the wood apart from discoloration after the years.

worked perfect for the needs.

also if you go this route i would get 4 handles and attach them to the sides for easier movement, it was big and heavy!

i cant find any pictures, but if you want me to hunt, i will try toi dig some out tomorrow.

 

[shed9]

You could place a sheet of cut correx (corrugated thick plastic) sheet in the base. I did this for an indoor guinea pig run I made for my daughter which is a similar design to a tortoise table. The correx is cheap, available in most colours, resists fluids and easy to replace over time.