How to Build a Tortoise Tank

If you live in a climate where winter temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, consider building an indoor tank for your pet tortoise. Although tortoises prefer outdoor enclosures, a spacious tank that mimics the reptile's native woodland or semi-arid desert habitat and climate will keep it cozy. Depending on the species of tortoise you keep, prepare to build a tank that can accommodate an adult tortoise weighing up to 70 pounds and measuring 24 inches in length.

Things You'll Need

  • Large dresser drawer
  • Rubberized tote
  • Glass aquarium
  • Moss
  • Coconut husks
  • Dry hay
  • Grass clippings
  • Wood chips
  • Clamp-style light fixtures
  • Strip light fixture
  • UV-B bulb
  • Heat bulb
  • Hollow wood logs
  • Decorative stones
  • Hiding box
  • Shallow bowls
  • Wire-mesh screen top
  • Hinges
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a climate-controlled location for the tortoise tank. Selecting a heated basement, garage or porch will minimize tortoise waste odors in the home.

    • 2

      Convert a large, wooden dresser drawer, rubberized tote or glass aquarium into a tortoise tank. Pick an enclosure that allows for a minimum of 3 square feet of floor space for a hatchling-size tortoise.

    • 3

      Layer the base of the tank with moisture-retaining peat moss, sphagnum moss or shredded coconut husks for a tropical species. Or use dry hay, grass clippings or wood chips for a woodland tortoise.

    • 4

      Attach a clamp-style light fixture fitted with a UV-B bulb to the top of the enclosure. This helps the tortoise digest and absorb calcium from its food.

    • 5

      Add a heat lamp to the tank. A strip light or clamp-on fixture with a 40- to 60-watt bulb can heat a 3-square-foot enclosure to approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 6

      Decorate the tank with hollow wood logs, flat stones, round stones and a wooden hiding box to promote exercise and create a sense of security.

    • 7

      Place a shallow-lipped bowl in the enclosure to hold water. Choose a plant saucer or similar vessel large enough for the tortoise to climb into and fit its entire body. Fill the bowl with just enough water to almost reach the tortoise's chin.

    • 8

      Add a second shallow bowl to the tortoise tank for food.

    • 9

      Attach a wire-mesh screen to the top of the tortoise tank to keep children and other pets out of the tank. Use a hinge closure so the entire lid lifts, making it easy to access the tortoise and clean the tank.