Questions at this point.

Oldbro

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Bobs going on 10 months. 40 to 136 grams in that time. So far so good. Not sure if what were doing is good long term. He’s fed wheat grass, kale, clover and alfalfa sprouts, dandelion leaves and ZooMed desert Tort food pulverized. Gets a soak everyday, which he seems to enjoy. His basking temp is 98+- day/ 82 night. Incandescent heat, fluorescent UV, radiant nite warmth. Zoomed bark bedding changed every 6 weeks give or take. Humidity is +- 50%. He’s started digging down in the bedding a lot to nap,I guess, then all nite. Any input appreciated on my approach to his care. FDA213DA-90C7-4E1D-8C4C-419FEF1B559B.jpeg
487AD865-D30D-488A-8BAD-ABA3F91A3B60.jpeg
 

Yvonne G

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Everything looks good except for the light sitting on the plexi. The UV rays won't penetrate the plexi. Let's send a shout-out to @Tom and see if he has any words of wisdom for you.
 

Tom

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That all sounds pretty good. Here is what I would change:
  • Time for a bigger enclosure.
  • Get rid of the Timothy hay in your substrate. He can't eat it at this size and its a mold risk.
  • You are using the best substrate, but it needs to be damp and there should be a thicker layer. At least 3-4 inches.
  • What type of UV bulb is in that hood, and have you measured the UV output? It seems very close.
  • What bulbs are in the double dome?
  • You don't need to change the bedding. That will last him until he outgrows the enclosure, as long as you get the hay out.
  • Your diet is good, but needs much more variety and more weeds and leaves. Instead of kale, use endive and escarole, or skip the store entirely and use weeds and leaves. https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
  • He looks great, but he's on the small side for his age. This is typically due to dry conditions, or a dry start, or both. They thrive and do best in monsoon conditions.
 

Oldbro

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Jul 20, 2019
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Location (City and/or State)
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Thank you both for replying. The meter reads 3.5 + to top of shell.

Solarmeter 6.5
Zilla Slimline Desert 50 UVB T8 bulb.

What should the humidity be?How damp
the substrate?

Ill never be able use plants from around house the next door neighbor is a spraying
nutcase. Never seen someone so anal about about bugs. Are there other products on line that provide balanced nutrition?
l
 
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