boxie lighting

[lismar79]

I may be getting a 3toe next week and am planning out my shopping needs.
I have a 4.5x3.5 enclosure that is 24 inches tall solid plexi. Need heat and uv. I have extra ches if needed
Is this good?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQU8G3M/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
With
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F95Z1Y/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I only have evert used powersun mvb bulbs & fluorescent fixtures/ lights confuse the heck out of me....

 

[leigti]

I cannot get your second link to open. I also have a three toed box turtle in an enclosure very similar size to yours. I got several suggestions from people here on the forum. And I have a T5 HO hood 48 inches,and 5.0 HO bulb my enclosure is 20 inches tall. And I have 265 W floodlights on one end of the enclosure for heat.I will be posting pictures soon for input from others.I put a bunch of plants in there to help block some of the lights because I was told box turtles don't like a lot of light.

 

[leigti]

I realize my reply probably wasn't much help, but I set up my enclosure with Tips from people on the forum so I hope it is right. It sounds to me anyway that you were on the right track. Hopefully some more experienced people well pipe in soon.

 

[lismar79]

I realize my reply probably wasn't much help, but I set up my enclosure with Tips from people on the forum so I hope it is right. It sounds to me anyway that you were on the right track. Hopefully some more experienced people well pipe in soon.

Thanks!

 

[lismar79]

I cannot get your second link to open. I also have a three toed box turtle in an enclosure very similar size to yours. I got several suggestions from people here on the forum. And I have a T5 HO hood 48 inches,and 5.0 HO bulb my enclosure is 20 inches tall. And I have 265 W floodlights on one end of the enclosure for heat.I will be posting pictures soon for input from others.I put a bunch of plants in there to help block some of the lights because I was told box turtles don't like a lot of light.

Where did you purchase you light?

 

[leigti]

Where did you purchase you light?

I ended up getting it from tortoise supply.com.they seemed to be the only place I could buy a 48 inch H0 hood. I never thought they would be that hard to find but they were.they arrived pretty quickly and in great shape. No complaints at all.

 

[leigti]

Here is a Picture of what I have done so far. I will make a new thread when I'm ready to have it critiqued but this gives you the idea.

 

[lismar79]

You rock. Thanks!

 

[lynnedit]

leigti, that looks perfect!

 

[lismar79]

@leigti is that peat moss substrate?

 

[mike taylor]

Thats almost what I have for my baby leopard . I drilled 1/4" holes and slid metal rods across the tank . The installed my lights and che on them . Then cut plexiglass to cover the top . I also taped off the front and sprayed the tank black so he can't see out . Works great .

 

[lismar79]

Thats almost what I have for my baby leopard . I drilled 1/4" holes and slid metal rods across the tank . The installed my lights and che on them . Then cut plexiglass to cover the top .

That's a cool idea and I think that's exactly what I will do. My hubby is a fabricator so should be easy to get done! Thanks

 

[mike taylor]

You can get the rods from Home Depot . You have to drill a small hole slow then slowly go biger . This is so you don't crack the tank . But it holds humidity and heatv well . I have the lights plugged into five dollar timers for lamps . Got them from Home Depot . Then I have my che on a thermostat . The humidity is from a zoomed humidifier .

 

[leigti]

@leigti is that peat moss substrate?

It is about half coconut coir and half orchid bark. I just added some leaves on top of it tonight. I'm just about ready to get brave and make a thread for it.

 

[lismar79]

You can get the rods from Home Depot . You have to drill a small hole slow then slowly go biger . This is so you don't crack the tank . But it holds humidity and heatv well . I have the lights plugged into five dollar timers for lamps . Got them from Home Depot . Then I have my che on a thermostat . The humidity is from a zoomed humidifier .

Mine is an open top but has three plexi strips running the length. So running the bar is a good solution to get the lights under those supports...think it must have had a top in sections at some point before I got it. I have foam board to sit on top to hold heat & humidity. I have powerstrip timers from lowes but have not even looked at thermostats since my other two don't have. (sullys is always on & russian doesn't need one). Where did you get yours?

 

[lismar79]

It is about half coconut coir and half orchid bark. I just added some leaves on top of it tonight. I'm just about ready to get brave and make a thread for it.

Awesome, do it one last question: what kind of leaves??? I have one maple tree but a million oak, which I assume would be a no...

 

[leigti]

I am actually not sure what kind of leaves they are, a few maples at least.I made sure I did not put any of my laurel leaves in there because I know those are poisonous.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hmm, why would oak leaves be a no no in a Boxie enclosure. Oak trees make up a large part of the natural habitat of boxies at least here in Maryland and Pennsylvania and Virginia. Dig down under a nice thick patch of moist, semi-composted hardwood leaves (including oak leaves) and it's full of all the critters box turtles love.

 

[lismar79]

Hmm, why would oak leaves be a no no in a Boxie enclosure. Oak trees make up a large part of the natural habitat of boxies at least here in Maryland and Pennsylvania and Virginia. Dig down under a nice thick patch of moist, semi-composted hardwood leaves (including oak leaves) and it's full of all the critters box turtles love.

Ok! Glad to use them if I can, I just remember reading that they have toxic properties and I have to remove them when they fall in my sullys out door enclosure
http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=261

 

[mike taylor]

Mine is an open top but has three plexi strips running the length. So running the bar is a good solution to get the lights under those supports...think it must have had a top in sections at some point before I got it. I have foam board to sit on top to hold heat & humidity. I have powerstrip timers from lowes but have not even looked at thermostats since my other two don't have. (sullys is always on & russian doesn't need one). Where did you get yours?

Petco it was 30-40 bucks