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my neighbor gave me a large preformed pond which i'm going to use as an indoor enclosure for my 3 two-year old redfoots...It's approx 5 1/2 ft x 4 1/2 ft x 18 inches in the middle and then there is a ledge approx half way up, almost like a seat...i'm not sure what is best and cheapest to use, especially in the 18" deep portion which i'll need to fill atleast 9" plus a few inches more above the ledge (or seat) portion...It'll probably need atleast 8 to 10 bags of topsoil just to fill the deep part...i'm guessing i'll have to change the top 4 or 5 inches pretty frequently, but hopefully the lower down dirt can just be turned periodically...it's going to be indoors, so i need to keep it from smelling too bad...i'm thinking about having a few yucca trees or something like that (which hopefully the redfoots won't destroy) in the middle (deep part) and hopefully will take up some of the need for as much topsoil...i know i have to be careful with certain plants/trees including the need to check to make sure there's no fertilizer,etc in the dirt the plant comes in...anyway, I'm basically planning to use top soil and then some timothy hay on top and have several hiding spots/caves for the torts to get away from the heat...will have some basking areas (with stone and slate) and then a damper area with hopefully higher humitity...have some ideas, but nothing concrete on lighting and heating (will likely use 2 or 3 heat emitters)...i'm a novice with this, so please help with your input and suggestions...thanks!

Andy

At the very bottom I would put about 2 inches of 1 inch or so river stones, and then on top of that some mulch, and then the top soil. This will allow for some drainage. As for lighting maybe it would be easiest to use a couple power sun bulbs or something similar. I would also plant any plants you want in there and let them grow for a few weeks before you put in the torts. This will give the plants some time to develop a bit of a root system and get some growth in first.

i was going to use mulch (looking for cypruss but may end up using cedar) with topsoil on top - probably 5 or 6" of each, but i can do the stone at the bottom...i am looking to order some mixed grass, weed, etc seed from turtlestuff.com, unless anyone has any other suggestions...i plan to let it grow in there for a little before adding the torts but will also section off parts where they cannot get at the plants and allow them to grow...i need to get the temp and humidity where where it needs to be before i put them in there anyway...lastly, what were the bulbs you were referring to? I was thinking about doing separate 24" 10.0 uvb bulbs (in 2 double strip lights i already have and then 2 or 3 ceramic heat emitters...BUT, i was also looking at the combo heat and light bulbs and was wondering if they're any good and what are the pros and cons...either way, everything (heat/light) will be hung from the ceiling...

The bubls I am referring to are mercury vapor bulbs, there is a thread going on, on the general tortoise forum about the pro's and cons of them. You should read it, they will have UV and heat in one bulb. They are tempermental though and people have problems with them blowing. I myself use ceramic heat emitters and reptisun bulbs, but I have smaller enclosures than what you are planning. If you go with the reptisuns, the 10.0's are a good choice

i guess i'm still up in the air about the 10.0s/heat emitters versus mercury vapors...i read a few less than flattering posts on the mercury bulbs...i'm going to call and see what they have to say at bigappleherps...they were VERY helpful and not pushy at all when i first set up my current tank...I have a pair of i think 100 watt heat emitters and 2 24" 5.0s now...most likely, i'll use a total of 4 24" 10.os (on sale right now) and then 2 (or possibly 3) heat emitters - 1 250 w and 1 100w repticare ceramic heat emitters - hopefully that will be enough...the 2 100w emitters i have now are going strong and i've had them over 2 years, so no reason not to get the same thing.

From what I understand the MV bulbs is you need to have them hanging straight down and to not touch them with your skin, wear gloves.

The 10.0's and heat emitters would work just as well though. As long the torts had on hot spot to go to and warm up it should work out well.

pic of the enclosure...pics don't show the lights/heat emitters, but i have a 250 and a 150 heat emitter and then 2 x 24 " strip light with 1 mystic bulb and 1 10.0 uvb bulb along with a seperate 8 1/2 inch compact 10.0 uvb...i'm thinking about adding a 100 watt basking lamp for one very warm spot up by the rocks (top of the pic)...it works nice having one side with lots of moisture (right side) and one side somewhat dry and warmer (left side with cabin and basking area)...they split time between both sides equally...i am going to build a stand this week to raise it about 2 - 2 1/2 ft above the floor and keep it away from my dogs...i also have 3 trays with forage grass and weeds which i will rotate into the enclosure...i have one tray in now (not in the pics) and they LOVE it - just put it in a few days ago and they are already going to town on it...figure i'll have to rotate trays every week or two...

Looks awesome! I bet your torts are very happy in their new home