Vivarium?????

[eddie_boy]

Hi there. i am looking to get a tortoise on friday but i need to get a vivarium (ideally starter kit, i have nothing so far..so needs lights etc.) first of all. i need it by friday. does anyone know where i can get one at a reasonable price online or in the Milton Keynes Area. alternatively is it safe to build or use a large wooden box and covert this in to a home for the tortoise. if i was to do that. what additional items would i need to buy eg heat lamps, uv lights etc.

Thanks,

Ed.

 

[bikerchicspain]

The wooden box is a better idea, You would need a heating source and a UVB source. I use zoomed ceramic heat lamp, I have a UVB strip light as i dont need to use it that much as the torts are outside mostly.Although most of the people on here would recomend zoomed powersun,Its a UVA/B light plus a heat lamp, Then youve got the reptisun which you can get in 10,0 or 5.0 UVA/B.. Try the tortoise trust page its got loads of info on there.....hope this helps http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

 

[eddie_boy]

thank you very much for your advice.

 

[Crazy1]

Ed, What type of tort are you getting? Lighting, heat, substrate all depends on the type and size of the tort. There are alot of enclosures in this forum http://tortoiseforum.org/forum-7.html
And this thread gives nice pics of a new set up http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-661.html

 

[eddie_boy]

Ed, What type of tort are you getting? Lighting, heat, substrate all depends on the type and size of the tort. There are alot of enclosures in this forum http://tortoiseforum.org/forum-7.html
And this thread gives nice pics of a new set up http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-661.html

Thank you very much. that is extremely helpful. i'm really pleased to see that an enclosure can be made quite cheaply and easily. i must admit i was quite worried about getting an enclosure but this has given me some confidence.

i am looking to get a Hermanns tortoise, this is what my local pets at home sell. i think i am definately going to do the plastic tub enclosure, originally i was going to build a box out of wood, which i have seen on other sites but i'm liking the fact with the tub idea it is easier to see the tort.

My next question would be is top soil fine to put a new hermanns tort in?

 

[Stazz]

I use organic soil for my Greek....it's safe for them, has no pesticides or chemicals. You can also use shredded aspen, it's great and easy to clean.

 

[bettinge]

A few thoughts:
1) You don't need a UVB bulb in your first week. Their need is a must, but if you wait a week....or two to get a bulb, thats fine IMO! Many believe, as I do, that proper lighting (as proper as artifical lighting can be) stimulates appitite, so don't wait too long.
2) A 10.0 UVB buld is too much for a tort. I feel these bulbs were designed for vertical enclosures for chameleons and NOT horizontal enclosures for torts. Go for the 5.0 bulb or a mercury vapor bulb. I use ZooMed products. I will never use a 10.0 for my torts or a 5.0 for my Chams!
3) I buy everything here, they are great! http://lllreptile.com/

 

[eddie_boy]

thank you for you info... i have been looking at these two items. just wondered if someone could check them out and tell me if i am safe to go ahead and order these. also i'm not sure whether to get a 160w bulb or 125w bulb.

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/reptiles/equipment/lighting/spot_lights/114906#more

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rep...-fittings-487/exo-terra-glow-light-27543.html

with the clamp lamp what would be the ideal size?

thanks again. sorry to keep asking all these questions!

 

[tortoisenerd]

I wouldn't personally recommend that bulb due to the inferior UVB output. The Mega Ray or T-Rex Active Heat bulbs are good, as is the new Powersun model. I'd get the lower wattage bulb (such as 100 watts), because they are still very bright, and they are made for the average enclosure. The higher wattage are made for a larger enclosure for big or multiple torts. Look at this website for some detailed technical info.

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

You want a deep 10 inch hood with a ceramic fixture (like that 25 cm one) for the MVB, as it is large (like a flood light) bulb, and you want to disperse the heat/light/UVB over a large radius. You will also likely need a lamp stand to raise and lower the bulb to adjust the temperature easily. You probably don't want a cover on the enclosure if you can avoid it (unless you have other pets). Some people would typically place the bulb on a screen cover, but then you can't adjust the height of it, which is vital, and some screens prevent all the UVB from getting through. The effect of screens is also detailed in that link above. The bulb face needs to be parallel to the substrate, so you need a stand to clamp the light to; don't clamp it to the enclosure at an angle (due to bulb wear and UVB dispersal).

I personally think you need to have the entire enclosure set up and tested out for the temperature gradient before you even THINK of bringing the tort home. If you didn't have the MVB from the start, you'd need a heat and light source at least, so you'd end up buying bulbs and fixtures anyways. You are not ready for the tort unless you have the enclosure ready, have a vet on call to check the tort out that is experienced in reptiles, and are well read in the husbandry, etc. Of course you will need to make changes to the enclosure as you learn though, but it is stressful for the tort to have unnecessary changes made after it arrives home. Especially if you get it from a pet store or a place where it may have not had the best conditions, it may be vital that has good UVB right away to prevent Metabolic Bone Disease or similar. So, I respectively disagree with the previous poster.

I agree that 1) organic soil 2) coconut fiber and play sand or 3) aspen are all some choices. I personally like the aspen due to the light weight and other aspects (as does my tort). I also had trouble keeping moist substrate warm since I live in a cooler damper climate.