My fiancee and I adopted a Cherryhead 6 months ago. We named her Toti. She was kept in a very small enclosure for 2.5 years and did not get the exercise and nutrition she needed, which is why she has some pyramiding. We kept her in her old enclosure for a few months while we planned/saved for/finally built her new home, which is in this video.
About the enclosure:
The substrate is nine inches deep, with six inches of it cypress mulch. On top of the mulch is 3 inches coconut husk in her hide-out, bark along the walkways, and walnut casings in the hot area. We were hesitant about the walnut casings because we heard it could cause compacting. The first month we kept her in the new enclosure we kept a close eye on her to make sure she did not try to eat it and continued to have regular bowel movements. She has not tried to eat it and continues to have regular bowel movements. We decided to keep it in because she enjoys digging her limbs in it and it hasn't caused any problems. (At the first signs of compacting we are prepared to remove the walnut casings). Under the walnut casings is a layer of rocks which warm up during the day and continue to keep the area warm for a few hours after her lights turn off (Her lights are on an automatic timer which turn off at 8:30pm and turn on at 7:30am.) This hot area stays consistently at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and lowers to 80F for about fifteen minutes after we spray the enclosure (We mist the entire enclosure three times a day, 800mL). On top of the misting, we have a ReptiFogger running 13 hours/day which helps keep the enclosure humid.
The pond is filtered and heated with a submersible heater which keeps the water comfortably at room temperature. The submersible filter keeps the water moving so the temperature is generally consistent, but it is a slight amount warmer under the heat lamps. We give Toti's pond a full clean and water change once a week. We can change the depth of the water easily by adding or removing aquarium stones. The depth in the video is what we have found to be most comfortable for her. I know that having deep water is a drowning risk but because the enclosure is so large we have never seen her climbing up the sides, so she has never fallen on her back (this used to happen often in her old enclosure).
The three plant boxes are all removable, and we have put in plants that are all tortoise-friendly (Hibiscus, Bromeliad, Aloe, and Cane). Her cooler end of the enclosure is consistently around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, but a little warmer in her hide-away (we added a 50 watt black light bulb to increase humidity in the hide-away).
We feed Toti every morning, various greens and a constant supply of pellets. Her favorite treat is un-spiced Pumpkin Pie filling. We coat her food in a reptile calcium and vitamin spray supplement. She also has a cuttlebone
The walls above the substrate are taller than Toti is long so there is no chance of her escaping, but it is large enough that she doesn't try to climb the sides of the enclosure. Under the substrate is a thick plastic lining to keep the wood from absorbing water. The black paint is actually an outdoor fence stain so it resists water absorption. We are in the process of finding another Cherryhead to accompany Toti.
We are always looking for ways to improve her enclosure. It is still unfinished (especially around the pond area, which we intend to build up with some more plastic plants to include more hiding places for Toti).
Please leave comments or suggestions! We are new to caring for tortoises and appreciate any advice you may have regarding our enclosure. (I will have to re-measure, but I think the size of the "L" shape is nine feet by six feet, and the thickness of the "L" is three feet in the longer and shorter sections).