grandlinegirl
Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2015
- Messages
- 43
Hello everyone!
I've decided to take the plunge into tortoise ownership. I've been in contact with a breeder and I will find out tomorrow when the breed of tort I want is available (Hermann's). I would like to start buying supplies, however, so I can set things up in advance. I understand it's very important to have a proper setup for hatchlings and I don't want to make a mistake.
Supplies:
- 55 gallon tank with sides/front blocked off halfway (so tort can't see out). Lid made of plexiglass with a hole for an MVB and another hole for a CHE to keep up ambient temps
OR (depends what I can get my hands on first)
- 50 gallon rubbermaid tote, same type of setup. Lid kept on with holes for the MVB and CHE (holes lined in tinfoil to protect plastic)
Reason for CHE is my house is pretty chilly and I want to keep a constant ambient for a hatchling. I was thinking I could put this in the middle so there's still a cool end? It'd go MVB, CHE and then nothing at the other end so there's still a cooler spot... Does that work??
- Substrate of coconut coir
- Humid hide box filled with sphagnum moss (possibly with a heat mat beneath it to increase humidity, on a thermostat of course??)
- Shallow terracotta water dish
- Flat slate rock for under basking light
- Larger pebbles for water dish to sit on
- Another hide
- Thermometers (digital - not sure how many. One for basking spot, one for cool end and one for ambient??)
- Hygrometer (digital)
- Thermostat or lamp dimmer to control lights/temps (one for CHE, one for MVB)
I was thinking about putting some plants in there but I have no green thumb and they'll probably die. I've killed every plant I've ever had
Is there anything I'm missing? Anything that needs to be changed?
I've decided to take the plunge into tortoise ownership. I've been in contact with a breeder and I will find out tomorrow when the breed of tort I want is available (Hermann's). I would like to start buying supplies, however, so I can set things up in advance. I understand it's very important to have a proper setup for hatchlings and I don't want to make a mistake.
Supplies:
- 55 gallon tank with sides/front blocked off halfway (so tort can't see out). Lid made of plexiglass with a hole for an MVB and another hole for a CHE to keep up ambient temps
OR (depends what I can get my hands on first)
- 50 gallon rubbermaid tote, same type of setup. Lid kept on with holes for the MVB and CHE (holes lined in tinfoil to protect plastic)
Reason for CHE is my house is pretty chilly and I want to keep a constant ambient for a hatchling. I was thinking I could put this in the middle so there's still a cool end? It'd go MVB, CHE and then nothing at the other end so there's still a cooler spot... Does that work??
- Substrate of coconut coir
- Humid hide box filled with sphagnum moss (possibly with a heat mat beneath it to increase humidity, on a thermostat of course??)
- Shallow terracotta water dish
- Flat slate rock for under basking light
- Larger pebbles for water dish to sit on
- Another hide
- Thermometers (digital - not sure how many. One for basking spot, one for cool end and one for ambient??)
- Hygrometer (digital)
- Thermostat or lamp dimmer to control lights/temps (one for CHE, one for MVB)
I was thinking about putting some plants in there but I have no green thumb and they'll probably die. I've killed every plant I've ever had
Is there anything I'm missing? Anything that needs to be changed?