So here's my next question. Has anyone raised a tortoise/tortoises using an open table, heating the substrate and providing a basking area? Maybe providing a heated (heat from using a CHE) humid hide for sleeping and a place to hide out?
I had read a thread a while back where someone had set up and open table for their tortoise and humidity levels down at tort level was good. I have always thought a tort table didn't make sense cause your CHE would be running constant but if your using pads or heat ropes to only do the substrate, the CHE wouldn't be an issue. Another reason I have stayed away is because of humidity but after I read that thread and add that the rep room my table would be in is kept at 85-87 degrees and humidity runs 65-88% all the time I don't think that would be a concern either. I have used closed chambers, followed Toms care sheet as close as possible, since day one and my guys are very smooth, my sulcata hatchlings are very healthy and seem to be doing just fine. My leopards are totally different story. I'm down to just one leopard now. She seems to be healthy tho, so fingers crossed. Anyhow, I had planned on building a huge enclosed chamber in my rep room but have been wondering about the whole table idea since I have noticed the change in my guys when I reduced their substrate temp. Plus I'm thinking with a table I could build multiple levels which is just more walking space.
My idea for the enclosed chamber:
L shaped, one side 8x4 the other side 4x4, 30" tall. I would have the basic same set up that I have now. Basking area, on warm side, CHE set up on thermostat, zoo med t5 high output 10.0 UVB tube lights would light entire thing, basking and UVB tube lights on timers. On the cool side I would have a 18"x18" ceramic tile for a feeding station, it's textured so they get good traction but it's a breeze to clean daily. Terra cotta saucer for water on cool side. Right on the edge of the warm side another larger terra cotta saucer used as a "jacuzzi". I was planning on switching the substrate. I was thinking organic soil so I could literally plant the entire enclosure w grasses and plants. Multiple humid hides and perhaps some other decor as sight barriers and hiding places.
The open table;
I could build levels that are attached w ramps, use organic soil and plant it full of grasses and plants. Use pads or heat ropes to keep substrate heated to 87-90 degrees. Each level would be lighted w the UVB tubes just as the enclosed one would and a basking area and humid hides provided in one or a couple levels. I haven't given the table as much detailed thought as the enclosed chamber cause the idea just popped up but I would like some feed back on this, like I say, toms suggestions and care sheets is what they are use to and they seem to thrive from this but I also think I could create more walking room w open tables so I wanted to reach out and see if anyone has used the open table and how it did for them, feed back of ya see any problems or things I have missed. I'm getting ready to go get supplies in the next couple days and just wanted some info from more experienced tort parents.
Thanks in advance!
I had read a thread a while back where someone had set up and open table for their tortoise and humidity levels down at tort level was good. I have always thought a tort table didn't make sense cause your CHE would be running constant but if your using pads or heat ropes to only do the substrate, the CHE wouldn't be an issue. Another reason I have stayed away is because of humidity but after I read that thread and add that the rep room my table would be in is kept at 85-87 degrees and humidity runs 65-88% all the time I don't think that would be a concern either. I have used closed chambers, followed Toms care sheet as close as possible, since day one and my guys are very smooth, my sulcata hatchlings are very healthy and seem to be doing just fine. My leopards are totally different story. I'm down to just one leopard now. She seems to be healthy tho, so fingers crossed. Anyhow, I had planned on building a huge enclosed chamber in my rep room but have been wondering about the whole table idea since I have noticed the change in my guys when I reduced their substrate temp. Plus I'm thinking with a table I could build multiple levels which is just more walking space.
My idea for the enclosed chamber:
L shaped, one side 8x4 the other side 4x4, 30" tall. I would have the basic same set up that I have now. Basking area, on warm side, CHE set up on thermostat, zoo med t5 high output 10.0 UVB tube lights would light entire thing, basking and UVB tube lights on timers. On the cool side I would have a 18"x18" ceramic tile for a feeding station, it's textured so they get good traction but it's a breeze to clean daily. Terra cotta saucer for water on cool side. Right on the edge of the warm side another larger terra cotta saucer used as a "jacuzzi". I was planning on switching the substrate. I was thinking organic soil so I could literally plant the entire enclosure w grasses and plants. Multiple humid hides and perhaps some other decor as sight barriers and hiding places.
The open table;
I could build levels that are attached w ramps, use organic soil and plant it full of grasses and plants. Use pads or heat ropes to keep substrate heated to 87-90 degrees. Each level would be lighted w the UVB tubes just as the enclosed one would and a basking area and humid hides provided in one or a couple levels. I haven't given the table as much detailed thought as the enclosed chamber cause the idea just popped up but I would like some feed back on this, like I say, toms suggestions and care sheets is what they are use to and they seem to thrive from this but I also think I could create more walking room w open tables so I wanted to reach out and see if anyone has used the open table and how it did for them, feed back of ya see any problems or things I have missed. I'm getting ready to go get supplies in the next couple days and just wanted some info from more experienced tort parents.
Thanks in advance!
