A few Russian tortoise questions

[Marcos123]

My tortoise has been doing overall fine, very active but he hasn't been in his water bowl yet, I clean it daily and what I feed him is collard greens, celery, cucumber, and lettuce, also I have a question about lighting I have looked on the forum and I know I have the right bulbs but do I turn both of them on for the whole day one on then turn it off each for 12 hours or what?

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

We need to know what type of bulbs you are using to answer your question about how much to have them on.

Your diet choices need some improvement too, but that is why we are here.

Give these a read through. They will answer a lot of your questions and possibly point out a few things you hadn't thought of:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[Marcos123]

Hello and welcome.

We need to know what type of bulbs you are using to answer your question about how much to have them on.

Your diet choices need some improvement too, but that is why we are here.

Give these a read through. They will answer a lot of your questions and possibly point out a few things you hadn't thought of:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

I am using an Exo terra 75w and a 5.0 UVB light

 

[Tom]

I am using an Exo terra 75w and a reprising 5.0 UVB light

Is the 75 watt a "spot" bulb?
Is the 5.0 a coil type cfl bulb?

If yes to either, you've been sold the wrong stuff. If the 5.0 is a strip bulb, AKA long tube type, then it is safe to use, but not effective as a UV source. The 5.0 bulbs produce almost no UV even when the meter is just 10 inches away. To be effective, you need a 10.0 bulb mounted 10-12 inches away, or one of the newer and more powerful HO bulbs if you need to mount it farther away.

Both basking and UV bulbs should be on for 12-14 hours a day. Best if they are set on a timer.

 

[Marcos123]

Is the 75 watt a "spot" bulb?
Is the 5.0 a coil type cfl bulb?

If yes to either, you've been sold the wrong stuff. If the 5.0 is a strip bulb, AKA long tube type, then it is safe to use, but not effective as a UV source. The 5.0 bulbs produce almost no UV even when the meter is just 10 inches away. To be effective, you need a 10.0 bulb mounted 10-12 inches away, or one of the newer and more powerful HO bulbs if you need to mount it farther away.

Both basking and UV bulbs should be on for 12-14 hours a day. Best if they are set on a timer.

The bulb for uvb is a tube like one and the 75 watt is a Exo terra 75 watt intense basking spot light

 

[Marcos123]

Hello and welcome.

We need to know what type of bulbs you are using to answer your question about how much to have them on.

Your diet choices need some improvement too, but that is why we are here.

Give these a read through. They will answer a lot of your questions and possibly point out a few things you hadn't thought of:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Aalso how can I improve his diet?

 

[Tom]

Aalso how can I improve his diet?

From the care sheet I linked:

Diet:
Russian tortoises need broadleaf weeds. You will need to learn about the weeds near you and which ones are okay to feed or not. Pics can be posted here on the forum in the "Plant ID" section, or you can take samples to a local nursery. Look for dandelion, sow thistle, mallow, filaree, hawksbit, and many more. If you are not 100% sure that your source is free of pesticides and other chemicals, don't feed anything from there.
You can grow your own food too. Here is one of my favorites: http://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix
I also get lots of seeds here: http://www.groworganic.com
If you must use grocery store foods I like to favor spring mix, endive and escarole heavily. Also add in carrot tops, cilantro, mustard, turnip and collard greens, and lots of other leafy greens.
It is a good idea to add a product called "Salad Style" to grocery store greens to add some fiber: http://www.tortoisesupply.com/salad-style-food-topper/
This is a new food topper and I like it a lot so far: http://www.tortoisesupply.com/HerbalHay
You can also feed them grape, mulberry and hibiscus leaves, tender young spineless opuntia cactus pads, Mazuri tortoise chow and ZooMed Grassland tortoise food. Alternating and mixing up any of these foods will give your russian a good diet and meet its nutritional needs.

 

[Tom]

The bulb for uvb is a tube like one and the 75 watt is a Exo terra 75 watt intense basking spot light

I wouldn't use a spot. Floods are much less harsh on the carapace. Pet store stuff is over-priced. You can the same things and better stuff at the hardware store for a fraction of the price.

 

[Marcos123]

From the care sheet I linked:

Diet:
Russian tortoises need broadleaf weeds. You will need to learn about the weeds near you and which ones are okay to feed or not. Pics can be posted here on the forum in the "Plant ID" section, or you can take samples to a local nursery. Look for dandelion, sow thistle, mallow, filaree, hawksbit, and many more. If you are not 100% sure that your source is free of pesticides and other chemicals, don't feed anything from there.
You can grow your own food too. Here is one of my favorites: http://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix
I also get lots of seeds here: http://www.groworganic.com
If you must use grocery store foods I like to favor spring mix, endive and escarole heavily. Also add in carrot tops, cilantro, mustard, turnip and collard greens, and lots of other leafy greens.
It is a good idea to add a product called "Salad Style" to grocery store greens to add some fiber: http://www.tortoisesupply.com/salad-style-food-topper/
This is a new food topper and I like it a lot so far: http://www.tortoisesupply.com/HerbalHay
You can also feed them grape, mulberry and hibiscus leaves, tender young spineless opuntia cactus pads, Mazuri tortoise chow and ZooMed Grassland tortoise food. Alternating and mixing up any of these foods will give your russian a good diet and meet its nutritional needs.

Ok thank you so much this really helped