Just to Clarify

[bakexlove]

I have been reading a lot of different things on tortoises, trying to do the best by my little guy. I have him in a plastic bin with the sides all mostly covered because its clear with scenery pictures. He has a cave and two fake plants for hiding. His substrate is 50% sand 50% coconut coir by weight. I spray down the substrate daily making sure it doesn't get too dusty and dry. For food I buy organic spring mix sometimes with the herb blend and I've been buying some greens like kale to mix in. I try to soak him 3 times a week. For lighting I have a heating bulb that keeps it about 90-92 on one side and then 70-72 on the other side of the enclosure. But then I found out I had the wrong bulb which was a coil bulb that the pet store lady who owns a tortoise told me I should buy. >.> Anyway I wanted to buy the correct bulb but I don't have the ability to have a full spectrum tube. I was want to make sure I buy the correct bulb preferably from the carolina pet supply site. I hope I can get some helpful suggestions. I'm not able to have an outdoor enclosure because I live in Wisconsin but I do plan on making him a tortoise table in the near future and also being able to take him outside in the warmer season.

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm sorry, Dez: I think you probably hit your "send" key before you were finished typing. Trouble is, I've already deleted the other two threads thinking they were duplicates.

What points are you wanting clarification on?

 

[bakexlove]

I apologize, I was trying to type on my phone but I gave up and just edited it from my laptop lol

 

[lynnedit]

Sounds like you are off to a great start. Here are a few comments;
*get a Powersun MVB 100w (or 160w if your table will be large). that will give you heat and excellent UV. If you need more lighting elsewhere in your future table, you can just use a regular bulb
*being outside is the best. several members have torts in the northern US and do keep torts outside, sometimes 24/7, even for a couple of months or more. If they can bask during the day (up to 70+, they can tolerate temps down to 50 (toward the Autumn when they have acclimated). Having slate, rocks and gravel outside helps absorb sun. Others have a small heated hut that the torts can retreat to (even 60F is fine) at night. And/or a cold frame with a basking light for extra options. The key is being able to warm up during the day. they are very hardy, and they just thrive outside.
*you are right, you will need a tort table for the cold months. make it as big as you can manage and fit in. a rectangular shape allows for easy care and reaching everything. There are some nice two level enclosures in the enclosure section, they also love to climb (ramps).
*make sure you keep a cuttlebone in there, he may only nibble occasionally, but allows him to get calcium when needed.
*carolina pet supply also sells TNT powdered supplement with probiotics that is great to dust on his food a couple of times per week (made of ground up weeds).
they also have Russian seed mix on sale, that you can sprout in trays, and scatter over his future outside enclosure outside!
Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[bakexlove]

I do have the calcium powder and I do also have a cuttlebone for him. I'm just worried about having an outside enclosure because our backyard is woods and our dogs are always out there. My parents have been having chemicals sprayed on the grasses too :s. They probably won't anymore. Our frontyard is really slanted cause we live on a hill. If I built a tortoise table do you line them so they are easier to clean? And do you have different substrates?

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Thank you for your help BTW, its nice to finally get some reliable info.

 

[lynnedit]

yes, you can either waterproof the inside, some even use spray on truck liner.
Or, you can use a tarp or shower pan liner (found at Home Depot or Lowe's) or pond liner, folded up the side and stapled or nailed. They are diggers, so you want something fairly tough.
Substrate is the same: coir, organic topsoil, or cypress mulch, or a mix. put in some stones/logs, possibly a plant in its pot.

If they have the cuttlebone, you probably only have to use the calcium dust a couple of times per week.

in the warmer months, you can think about setting up a large Kiddy pool outside. Inexpensive, and you can drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Add soil with a board across one side for shade and then just put the tort out there when you can watch him. One hour of sun is worth hours of artificial light (no matter how good the bulb).

 

[wellington]

The pool idea is a great cheap idea for a outside enclosure. You can even plant seeds and weeds in it for him to safely graze while catching some rays also. That's what I did for my leopard tort last summer. I grew grass and weeds in "under the bed size boxes" to put him in while he was outside.

 

[bakexlove]

Thank you for all those ideas! I definitely will try that when the weather gets better. I want the best for Herman.