Thanks for the advice Yvonne. Perhaps this is not one of those "the more the better" situations... you use a regular incandescent bulb as a heat lamp? That's so crazy it just might work. I will definitely consider that if I find my temps are too low.
I'm going with the 100W SB Mega-Ray bulb...
Thanks to everybody for the helpful replies. I've never seen my tortoise eating substrate purposely but I think I will play it safe and move to a top soil / coir or perhaps top soil / sphagnum mix when I have a chance. I don't soak him but he soaks himself regularly in a shallow water dish that...
Shenanigans! Then why does every tortoise-related website suggest that a mix of sand and loam or coir is the best substrate? If it isn't, then what is the best substrate?!?!
emysemys - I am in OH.
Thanks,
Jacob
Just made a 31"L x 31"W x 14"H, linoleum-lined, aquarium sealant-sealed enclosure for my Russian Tortoise. I have been using exo terra lights from the pet store but I am planning to upgrade to a mega-ray bulb.
Question - is a Mega-Ray SB 100W (...
Okay, so I have been using a 50/50-ish mix of Bed-a-Beast coir and calci-sand for my Russian Tortoise. Honestly I'm not sure what people mean by 50/50 sand/coir... weight? volume before coir is expanded? after? Just eye-balling it after mixing and saying "hmmm, looks like half and half"...