A look, please?

[Masin]

So this is my 3rd time posting and first time via the app AND with an attached picture no less...go easy!
I decided its best to just post a picture that way we can get the best help with our enclosure! Currently it's a 20 long...can't wait to go bigger. Eco earth below, even after the owner of the store argued alfalfa pellets were the best, 50w basking light on the left paired with a 13w 10.0 UVB light. The third lamp is her 60w red night light. Just put in the stones around the border and her aloe. Feeding her a heavy mix of greens and offering mazuri. She's not eating a ton though. I'm posting to see what we're doing right and what needs improvement. I'm not sure what my warm and cold side temps should be along with humidity. I purchased a thermometer with the probe (left) to check her ambient, but dunno if it's measuring right. We also have a point and check for thermometer for the bottom etc.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Audrey:

It looks like a pretty nice habitat, but it would be better if we could see the tortoise inside it. That would tell us if its big enough for him or not. That UV light isn't the coiled variety is it? They're bad for tortoises' eyes.

 

[Masin]

Hi Audrey:

It looks like a pretty nice habitat, but it would be better if we could see the tortoise inside it. That would tell us if its big enough for him or not. That UV light isn't the coiled variety is it? They're bad for tortoises' eyes.

It's a repit Glo one, and yes...it's a coiled kind :/ Yikes. What do you suggest to replace it? Aw, my poor girls peepers!
Let me get her out of her hide, she was tucked in still.

 

[Masin]

Here you go!

 

[Yvonne G]

That's a nice size habitat for that size tortoise, but he'll outgrow it in a few months, so be prepared.

Quite a few of us use the Mercury Vapor Bulbs. They provide heat plus UVB in the same bulb. They are quite expensive though.

 

[NudistApple]

If you have recently bought the hood (petsmart has a 60 day return policy) you can return it and get this kind;

It is made for that kind of bulb, and when mounted sideways like that, the light emitted is much less harsh to the tortoise.

I really love how you have the enclosure set up, with the slates and all. It's very attractive!
And just something else to look out for, red bulbs can sometimes trick tortoises into eating things that aren't edible, like their substrate, and they wind up getting impacted. It might not be an issues for you though, since you are using it as a night-light, and at that age your tortoise probably puts herself to sleep long before dark. I know mine does!

 

[Masin]

That's a nice size habitat for that size tortoise, but he'll outgrow it in a few months, so be prepared.

Quite a few of us use the Mercury Vapor Bulbs. They provide heat plus UVB in the same bulb. They are quite expensive though.

Thank you! We're going to look into them, cost isn't an issue if it's what he/she really needs to be healthy and happy! And the idea of both together is worth it in my opinion! What wattage would you suggest?

Right now her temps aren't working out. The red bulb is 60w and I just checked on her and her warm side is at 74-76, I can't seem to get her temps worked out well and of course she's held up in her hide.
She has been getting daily outside time, she runs around with my partner and works up an appetite, eating a lot when she comes in, but once inside she goes right to her hide. I'm trying to get it ideal for the lil bitty but I'm not doing something right

 

[wellington]

If you have recently bought the hood (petsmart has a 60 day return policy) you can return it and get this kind;

It is made for that kind of bulb, and when mounted sideways like that, the light emitted is much less harsh to the tortoise.

I really love how you have the enclosure set up, with the slates and all. It's very attractive!
And just something else to look out for, red bulbs can sometimes trick tortoises into eating things that aren't edible, like their substrate, and they wind up getting impacted. It might not be an issues for you though, since you are using it as a night-light, and at that age your tortoise probably puts herself to sleep long before dark. I know mine does!

That is still a coil bulb. I wouldn't chance it. Return it if possible and either get the MVB or if you have enough heat in there, get the tube fluorescent uv bulbs.

 

[Masin]

If you have recently bought the hood (petsmart has a 60 day return policy) you can return it and get this kind;

It is made for that kind of bulb, and when mounted sideways like that, the light emitted is much less harsh to the tortoise.

I really love how you have the enclosure set up, with the slates and all. It's very attractive!
And just something else to look out for, red bulbs can sometimes trick tortoises into eating things that aren't edible, like their substrate, and they wind up getting impacted. It might not be an issues for you though, since you are using it as a night-light, and at that age your tortoise probably puts herself to sleep long before dark. I know mine does!

That is still a coil bulb. I wouldn't chance it. Return it if possible and either get the MVB or if you have enough heat in there, get the tube fluorescent uv bulbs.

What wattage would you suggest with the MVB? I'm going to go by and take a look tomorrow. And for night what heat source should we go with if the red one isn't preferred? Ceramic?

 

[Laura]

beside the light issue.. you will need more humidity, and I'd bury the water dish and food dish so he doesn't have to climb over the rim to get to things.
At that temp,, he may not eat much.. he needs to be warmer to eat and digest ...
CHE is a good night time heat and day too.. Sunshine is a very important thing as well. and calcium of course.. get a cuttle bone, in the bird section, and place in the tank.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Nice!

 

[tyguy35]

I use a 125w solar glo mvb works real great keept temps perfect. i keep it at one end so one side is cooler and it still lights the enclosure. also Im not sure if it was mentions but have to keep the humidity up. I know first hand at what it can do to help a tortoise got my guy with a little pyramiding and now hes growing smooth. I use a repti fogger by zoomed on one side keeps him moist and happy loves staning in the fog. hope that helps out.

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lol your set up looks a bit like mine but way nicer haha heres my set up seems to work

 

[Tom]

If you click the links in my signature below, you'll find my opinions on all this stuff.

 

[acrantophis]

Try covering a portion of the screen with something inflammable, like glass or a tile. This will trap a lot of the heat that escapes and also raise humidity. ;-)