New keeper need advice
- Thread starter Ian555
- Start date
TerrapinStation
Well-Known Member
I think you are doing the right thing. Just give one tortoise the best quality of life and care you can, and hopefully others can step up and take care of the other 2. Best of luck!
Morning lyn have you pucs of you lights etc need to go and buy adap
Hi Ian I do hope the other 2 find as a good as a home as you can give. They are not being cared for as they should, no chance of you taking them as planned , changing their care/diet and then re homing? Sorry - shouldn't make you feel guilty. Maybe print off a caresheet and give it to who ever looks after the torts to see if they can change it.
The MVB I use is an Arcadia D3 150w or you can get the 100w or Arcadia mini d3 80w - depends on size of enclosure. That is from Pets at Home about £40ish.
They do other makes but DONT buy a coiled or long thin loop type cfl as these have been known to damage torts eyes.
I bought the rest at The Range
CHE = £21 Wide dome cermic holder x2 = £50 Thermostat = £35
The MVB I use is an Arcadia D3 150w or you can get the 100w or Arcadia mini d3 80w - depends on size of enclosure. That is from Pets at Home about £40ish.
They do other makes but DONT buy a coiled or long thin loop type cfl as these have been known to damage torts eyes.
I bought the rest at The Range
CHE = £21 Wide dome cermic holder x2 = £50 Thermostat = £35
The Range do cheaper basking lights which I also have for winter use for extra heat, but they have very little uvb which is essential for torts so don't be mistaken into thinking an ordinary basking light will be OK.
With the MVB/CHE holders - avoid using the clamps that come with them as they have been known to fail and fall causing fires or injury.
Hanging is better as you can adjust the temp by raising or lowering. I was advised that about 10 inches above shell is ok but you really need a digital temp gun (I bought mine off Amazon for about £10) they are great for spot checking your temps.
With the MVB/CHE holders - avoid using the clamps that come with them as they have been known to fail and fall causing fires or injury.
Hanging is better as you can adjust the temp by raising or lowering. I was advised that about 10 inches above shell is ok but you really need a digital temp gun (I bought mine off Amazon for about £10) they are great for spot checking your temps.
Sorry lyn to be a pain how many lights should be in there
I am right to say set up 1 light one end with thermostat temp to be ??
Set up 1 light the other end on a thermostat temp to be ??
Just gotta getbit right as going to purchase when store opens
I am right to say set up 1 light one end with thermostat temp to be ??
Set up 1 light the other end on a thermostat temp to be ??
Just gotta getbit right as going to purchase when store opens
That's where the CHE is needed - it just gives heat and no light - but my tort also has a radiator on in his room 24/7. When you adapt your shed maybe you could use oil filled rads to help raise the ambient air temp
Where are you keeping him to start?
That's great but would strongly advise getting a temp gun- it is invaluable for spot checking temps in different areas without having to move the gauge around and for setting the height of the mvb and che - cause the temp at tort level is cooler than higher up.
