Nite nite termite
New Member
Hi my name is Marsha. I’m 62 years old and I acquired my first tortoise. A red foot tortoise that is nine weeks old. He’s in a black industrial tub with a yellow top from Home Depot the biggest one they had. I have approximately 6 inches of cypress mulch mixed with two bags of spagnum moss for substrate. I have two different sizes of clay pots on their sides that are not only full of substrate halfway up they are also covered in substrate. Both were soaked for 24 hours before placed in the cage, as a matter fact all of the clay pieces were. He has a 100 W red basking lamp in a dome reflector and strip lights that are UV b for reptiles in the form of 2 18 inch fluorescent lam and to end. He has a 100 W red basking lamp in a dome reflector. And strip lights that are UVB for reptiles in the form of 2 18 inch florescence laid end to end. Water dish basking dish and feeding dish are all terra-cotta. I’m doing great with my temperatures but of course I’m struggling with humidity. Please advise… If I am to understand what I am reading even if I cannot keep a consistent 70% or above, since I’ve read so many varying temperatures I’m going with the average of 70%, as long as I keep it as close as I can and and also keep One of the hides nice and damp and humid he will choose it when he needs it and be OK? Is that enough to prevent the dreaded pyramiding? Do I absolutely have to have a humidifier? I spray him often but I am aware that he should not be too wet/waterlogged, and I would have no idea how often to use a humidifier and I certainly can’t afford a humidifier and a timer right this minute. I sprayed him often and I fluff his substrate often so that it stays slightly damp and not soaked. I live in Saint Augustine Florida but of course it’s not as humid in my home as it is outside. I am definitely going to close off most of the top. But I do want to be able to see him so I don’t wanna close the whole thing up I’m afraid of cooking him if I do LOL help!