Ninja says "Olá", from Portugal

BrunoSousa

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Hello, my name is Bruno and i'm writing from Portugal, Lisbon.

Her story
Ninja was rescued by a veterinarian (my friend, but not exotic vet) because it was discovered in the home of a person who brought her of Morocco, inside a suitcase (!!?) And was completely dehydrated. It was 15 days in a house, here in Portugal, without proper care, no lights, no heat, no ... nothing.
Ninja did not eat and she was taken and seen by an exotic veterinarian who prescribed antibiotic, and eat through tubes, serum for days. Until my veterinarian friend asked me if I was willing to stick with it in these conditions (she could not stay with her), hoping that she would make it, that she would survive.
I have no other animals or even children, I accepted. It turns out that the day she came into my arms, began searching for food. It smelled everything inside the box (little and temporary enclosure) until I remembered to pick some cabbage and..
She began to eat :) I was super happy and every day I followed closely, she began to gain weight (now has 36 grams, measures 5.5 cm 0.21 Jackson Ratio) and is healthy. I took her back to the exotic vet who gave me the Congratulations on the recovery and the health of Ninja.
After two weeks with her, always eat well, did her needs when I give you warm bath (every day), and all.
Came the time to create a home as she deserves.

I created a home with these features:
Plywood 57 inches x 27.5 inches x 11.8 inches (deep) No roof
Substrates: Chips Beech and Poplar Shavings and Coco Coir soil
Basking / HeatDay: 50W Bulb
(http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/intense_basking_spot.php)
Night: Black 100W Ceramic
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412PO6jjDzL._SY355_.jpg)
Light: 13W (Desert UVB 150) Bulb
(http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_uvb150.php)

Now, I need your help to find out which lights / heat should buy, because the terrarium dimensions.
Here in Portugal, temperatures currently are around 24/27 day 17/20 celsius and night but very high humidity, 80/100 (night fall and winter)
Currently, I know that the bulbs that I have are not enough, although the spot basking reach 32 celsius and in the terrarium, generally is around 24-25 celsius.
She keeps her rotines, get up, walk a bit, eat a lot, goes basking, hide from the "sun", sleeps in a funny position, wakes up, repeats...
At night, and after the warm bath, she eats a bit, and digs herself to sleep until morning.

But, i'm pretty sure my lights are not enough.
Can you help me buy the best lights/heat to keep Ninja happy?
PS: I will change the water plate, and the substrate (a lot more of coco coir soil and less wood chips)

Thank you all! Hope to hear it from you!

And now pictures!














BrunoSousa and Ninja.
 
Last edited:

wellington

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Hello and Welcome and congrats on saving her. The coil bulb, the 150 is bad for torts eyes, so I would not use that. The basking bulb does not have UVB that I can tell. I would replace that with a mercury vapor bulb or a tube fluorescent UVB bulb, unless you can get her outside most days for UVB. The basking temps need to be at least 90-95 More coir would be better then the chips.
 

BrunoSousa

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Hello and Welcome and congrats on saving her. The coil bulb, the 150 is bad for torts eyes, so I would not use that. The basking bulb does not have UVB that I can tell. I would replace that with a mercury vapor bulb or a tube fluorescent UVB bulb, unless you can get her outside most days for UVB. The basking temps need to be at least 90-95 More coir would be better then the chips.

Thank you Wellington!
Do you recommend some Mercury vapor bulb brand? Does that one be enough for whole table/enclosure? If so, And how many watts?
And yes, i'll replace the chips and put more coir.
Many thanks once again!
 

BrunoSousa

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Hello and Welcome and congrats on saving her. The coil bulb, the 150 is bad for torts eyes, so I would not use that. The basking bulb does not have UVB that I can tell. I would replace that with a mercury vapor bulb or a tube fluorescent UVB bulb, unless you can get her outside most days for UVB. The basking temps need to be at least 90-95 More coir would be better then the chips.

Wekllington, do you think this one would be enough? 70W
Such as Light (UVA/UVB) as Heat and D3?
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/sunray_bulb.php
Info sheet:
http://www.exo-terra.com/download/sales_sheets/Sales_Sheet_SunRay_Bulb.pdf

Thank you, and sorry to bother.
 

Yvonne G

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No bother at all. Please continue to ask all the questions you need to ask until you have your new baby set up

I've never seen that type of light before, but it says it is for heat and UVB, so I would assume it is ok to use.
 

wellington

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Wekllington, do you think this one would be enough? 70W
Such as Light (UVA/UVB) as Heat and D3?
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/sunray_bulb.php
Info sheet:
http://www.exo-terra.com/download/sales_sheets/Sales_Sheet_SunRay_Bulb.pdf

Thank you, and sorry to bother.

I'm not familiar with that bulb. I know metal halide gets very hot, used to use them for coral tanks.
This is what is use. http://www.entirelypets.com/zoomedp...=98022221830&gclid=CIKmz67Iz8gCFQczaQodSbAH3A

Usually can find sometimes cheaper on Amazon.
 

Tidgy's Dad

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Hello, Bruno and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and your Moroccan.
My little girl is a rescued Moroccan, too.Here in their homeland they are often badly treated.
I use this MVBWIN_20151020_101208.JPG
I get it from Spain and this brand is apparently available in Portugal.
A nice ceramic fitting is available from the same company at a good price.
Also have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/
as well as http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-end-of-pyramiding.15137/
and then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
Ola!!
Please ask if you have any questions whatsoever!!
 

BrunoSousa

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Hello, Bruno and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and your Moroccan.
My little girl is a rescued Moroccan, too.Here in their homeland they are often badly treated.
I use this MVBView attachment 153162
I get it from Spain and this brand is apparently available in Portugal.
A nice ceramic fitting is available from the same company at a good price.
Also have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/
as well as http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-end-of-pyramiding.15137/
and then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
Ola!!
Please ask if you have any questions whatsoever!!
Hello, @Tidgy's Dad ! Can you tell me if this lamp is self ballasted? Or do you need special conditions to make her work?
Regards,
 

Tidgy's Dad

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I have it fitted in a ceramic holder by the same company as it gets very hot and it hangs directly over her enclosure at a minimum of 25cm from the top of Tidg's carapace. It id securely fastened to a metal bar across the top of her enclosure, nearer one end than the other.
Not quite sure what you mean by self ballasted, i'm not a technical sort of chappie.
 

Gillian M

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A very warm welcome to the forum!:tort:

Please read the "Beginners' Mistake" Thread, which will surely help you deal with your sweet tort.

Good luck.
 

BrunoSousa

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I have it fitted in a ceramic holder by the same company as it gets very hot and it hangs directly over her enclosure at a minimum of 25cm from the top of Tidg's carapace. It id securely fastened to a metal bar across the top of her enclosure, nearer one end than the other.
Not quite sure what you mean by self ballasted, i'm not a technical sort of chappie.
Thank you for the info!
Some of this lamps, mvb, need some kind of special equipment to work, but some others Work stand alone. Do you know who might help me here at the forum?
Thanks
 

Tidgy's Dad

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This one is just fine, plug it in facing downwards, switch it on and it's fine, nothing else needed, though i advise the ceramic holder as it gets so hot.
i think most of the MVBs don't need special equipment.
All those I've encountered are stand alone.
Don't know who else to ask except the moderator Cameron @jaizei , but he's not been about for a bit.
 

BrunoSousa

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This one is just fine, plug it in facing downwards, switch it on and it's fine, nothing else needed, though i advise the ceramic holder as it gets so hot.
i think most of the MVBs don't need special equipment.
All those I've encountered are stand alone.
Don't know who else to ask except the moderator Cameron @jaizei , but he's not been about for a bit.
Thank you!!
 

BrunoSousa

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Location (City and/or State)
Lisbon, Portugal
Yesterday, was the first anniversary of Ninja at my house! One year has passed, amazing.
Thank you all for the precious support you all gave me at the very first start, when she was very sick!

IMG_3975.jpg
 

Gillian M

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Yesterday, was the first anniversary of Ninja at my house! One year has passed, amazing.
Thank you all for the precious support you all gave me at the very first start, when she was very sick!

IMG_3975.jpg
Happy Anniversary Ninja!

She's gorgeous! GOD bless.
 

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