cant see it being a problem, think'll get some in

 

I arent sure what you mean by decking boards - do you mean for decking for an outside area? If so have they got anything on them at all? Long as its untreated and a non toxic wood it'll be fine - ask at the shop and they should be able to tell you if its toxic or not (check for when its wet as well as dry)

Happy building : victory:

PS - are skirting boards high enough for the sides do you think?

 

yeah, the decking boards that go putside are the ones i mean will ask in store if they are un treated

skirting i would use enough pieces to make the sides high enough to stop any escapee's and for a deep sub

I arent sure what you mean by decking boards - do you mean for decking for an outside area? If so have they got anything on them at all? Long as its untreated and a non toxic wood it'll be fine - ask at the shop and they should be able to tell you if its toxic or not (check for when its wet as well as dry)

Happy building : victory:

PS - are skirting boards high enough for the sides do you think?

 

I too would say as long as it's not been treated with anything and is non toxic wood then they should be fine
Good luck with it

 

Blimey, thats a miss then

will go check out some ply and mdf from B&Q this week

Thanks for your help Mrs M - appreciate it

 

:2thumb: you're welcome - good luck on your build!

 

My OH fits decking.

The green tinge is treated to stop it swelling/splitting in rain, basically designed for outdoor use.

I'mnot sure as far as the toxicity goes but better to be safe than sorry. You can buy untreated decking.

Also skirting comes up to 6" but it would be difficult for you to make a solid, neat looking structure out of it as its quite thin.

How about making a frame out of 2x2? then place plywood on the exterior or non treated decking.

 

cheers matey - sounds like a plan......i shall be hitting B&Q in the next day or 2

cheers

My OH fits decking.

The green tinge is treated to stop it swelling/splitting in rain, basically designed for outdoor use.

I'mnot sure as far as the toxicity goes but better to be safe than sorry. You can buy untreated decking.

Also skirting comes up to 6" but it would be difficult for you to make a solid, neat looking structure out of it as its quite thin.

How about making a frame out of 2x2? then place plywood on the exterior or non treated decking.

 

problem you have is if you get stuff from b&q that is for external use it will have been treated with something...
even marine grade ply is treated to make it waterproof.
std ply should be fine. or as you said get some 6" wide floor boards etc.
if you have a timber yard near you they might be a better bet. B&Q is expensive for wood stuff.
i would prob use ply for the base to rather than mdf... mdf swells like mad when it gets wet or damp, ply is a bit better.

 

got a quote of around 50 quid ish from a timber yard for pieces of wood to construct a 5x3 tort table

thought DIY would work out cheaper than this

 

You could buy a bookcase from Argos, tip it on its back and dont use the shelves - hey presto!!! :2thumb:

Or advertise asking for a bookcase from Freecycle or any old wood and you may well get something for nothing :2thumb:

 

yeah, mat be cheaper and less hassle with the bookcase option, IKEA may be worth a look

Using bookcases, do people still seal them with aquarium sealent etc

 

Yep, healthy tortoises pee like anything! :lol2:If you get one of the veneered one's, all you have to seal is the joints.

 

looking for a 5ft-er, there s a 6ft bookcase in Argos for like £43, which is good, but may be too tight a squeeze in the bedroom....hhmmm

i am tempted, but think will see what is on offer at IKEA at the weekend

 

If you go to IKEA they very often have a load of FREE wood and shelving
in the car park... and in their discount section you can often buy a shelving unit that can be converted into more than one tort table.
The "freebies" are IKEAs take on Freecycle... some brilliant pieces of wood not just veneer either!

Donna

 

Coolio - will keep me eyes peeled then

If you go to IKEA they very often have a load of FREE wood and shelving
in the car park... and in their discount section you can often buy a shelving unit that can be converted into more than one tort table.
The "freebies" are IKEAs take on Freecycle... some brilliant pieces of wood not just veneer either!

Donna

 

Had a thought, i have 6 Star torts, 2 are 3yr old, 1 is 1.5yr old and the 3 others are approx 6 months old - do you think it is ok to house them together on a 6ft table??

Seen a few bookcases that are 6ft-er's and was wondering if it would be OK??

cheers

 

Long as there's enough room for them to all get away from each other and to sleep, eat, dig in etc., cant see it'd be a problem :2thumb:

I used marine ply, it's fine. It's not like tortoises are going to eat it!

I wouldn't use MDF for anything, it is horrible, horrible stuff to work with (glasses and goggles definitely required to cut MDF), it warps as soon as it looks at water and leaks formaldehyde unless you seal it properly.

I didnt know it leaked things - useful to know thanks for that :2thumb:

I find Marineply so expensive - we've used old wardrobes/chests of drawers and all sorts of bits of wood for tables : victory:

 

I used marine ply, it's fine. It's not like tortoises are going to eat it!

I wouldn't use MDF for anything, it is horrible, horrible stuff to work with (glasses and goggles definitely required to cut MDF), it warps as soon as it looks at water and leaks formaldehyde unless you seal it properly.

 

I meant would there be enough space for 6 small stars to live in a 6ft table

 

cheers Mrs M

 

Got some goodies from IKEA....a bookcase just over 6ft for the stars for £29.90, and a 4ft shelving unit that i can use as table for the 2 hermans, this i got in the 'bargin corner' reduced from 55 quid to £15

Just need to get some aquarium sealant and some ply for a solid base - job done

 

:2thumb::2thumb::2thumb: brilliant - I do love a bargain!!!


Wish we were nearer to Ikea - its hundreds of miles from us, mind you so is everything else :lol2:

 

We'll trade you - we come and live in Cornwall, you can come live nearer IKEA....we love Cornwall ......we went to Boturnall barns with the dogs back in 06, and loved it, so we just paid for my parents to go there in Sept for their anniversary present ......and think we will be going there in Oct 2011....love it

 

Bookcases sorted, PHEW, just wating for sealent to go off, so fingers crossed the topsoil will be in tomorrow, then the torts can enjoy their new HUGE boudoirs

 

Do people generally use more than 1 basking lamp for large enclosures??

My torts are in their new converted bookcase enclosures now, 1 6ft and 1 4ft, the basking area is at one end towards a corner, but the rest of the open space is a large area, so wondering if its better to put 2 lamps on the table to create a larger basking area or 2 separate basking areas??

Any thoughts?

cheers