You're 13 ? I remember I was 16 when I got my boxie. I also had a lot of support from My parents with helping with his setup and care. I've seen your Sulcata you had and sold. Then you were looking at another Sulcata and now a Pancake correct ?
Just asking.
I will note that I think it is awesome that your trying to learn. That's showing you care in the first place.
Hi Luke. If you want a hardy very active tort go with a Russian, don't fall into the trap of because it's small it doesn't need a big enclosure. They are super active and require a fair size enclosure for all that energy they have.
Read this care sheet before you make your mind up. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
In my experience pancake do better with an opaque (not see through) enclosure sides. Simple substrate of sandy soil, and many hides that they can feel on their back (carapace) when they tuck themselves in. I use bricks and ceramic tiles with the upside of the tile facing down, so their back can push against a smooth surface. They use water alot, so I have tried to offer two smaller water dishes, and/or a chicken type water tray (where it's an inverted jug on top of a ring, that fills by gravity). They are really messy with their water. I think they are more susceptible to too high a heat than most tortoises, make the high heat with a spot of heat (95 F to 100 F) in an enclosure otherwise kept no warmer than mid 80's F.
They spend a vast majority of their time sitting under the tile or other shelter you may make, looking out at their world. Inverted canned food boxes, (that tray like box the has sides about an inch or so) make great hides for when you might have them in quarantine. One of the more successful zoos for breeding them used many layers of newspaper for the off exhibit pancakes, on sandy soil with a water tray. This is a species where 'keep it simple' works well.