Humidity and soaking

[Shellhugger]

I plan on ordering from tortoise supply on the 31st, and have some questions. I'm reading how having an environment that is too humid may cause pyramiding (is there an official name for this?), as well as soaking too much. I'm going to get a younger hermann and am worried I'll love it too much. I've already made a note to only give it supplements (minerAll) a few times a week, since I've read "less is more". I'm just wondering if you could reference some links or advice. I also want to soak my tortoise throughout it's life (isn't it more beneficial?), so would that be done once a week? I know that a lot of this is controversial, but I just want to be sure of treatments...So what I know/some planning info is:
1)Warm soaks, can/should be everyday for hatchlings for 20-30mins at half shell height. When does the everyday soak stop and regress during age?
2)Plan on using fir tree bark and organic soil mix, and an area of just soil to grow weeds and plants. How often should I wet the soil/bark? I plan on using a misting bottle to do this.
3) Whats the difference between a humid box and a hide box? are they all the same thing?

 

[Tom]

You've got it backwards. Lack of humidity and hydration is what causes pyramiding.

MinerAll is good stuff, but once a week should do it. Twice a week with calcium. Theses are general parameters and there is certainly wiggle room on either end.

1. I soak babies daily. I soak adults once or twice a week. I gradually adjust for everything in between.
2. How often you need to wet it and how much will depend on your enclosure. Its different for everyone. In your first few days of running the enclosure, you will need to figure out how much water and how often to add it.
3. You can have a dry hide, or a humid hide, or both. The level of moisture and humidity in the box is what determines whether it is a humid hide or a dry hide.

Here is a russian care sheet. I would set up a hermanns the same.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

And some tips:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Shellhugger]

Thank you! That makes more sense