[Red Foot Tortoise ] - Your Opinions and experience required for my enclosure

[Redfoo]

Hey there again guys, yesterday afternoon i had purchased a Red footed tortoise and was recommended to buy the following items. It would be appreciated if I was provided with the correct information on what to buy

Before anything I'd like to thank - Yvonne G for a concern I had.

What i was recommended to buy:
- Spot Lamp Holder (By ProRep)
- Red Night Light Lamp (ProRep) 100W ES Fitting - Provides both light and heat.
- 18W / 10% UVB Fluorescent Bulb.
- Nutrobal.
- Arcadia Fluorescent Lighting controller.
(I was also recommended to buy a heating mat but didn't as I wasn't sure)

I could really use advice on my enclosure as I'm wiling to give this little fella a suitable enclosure along with a bright happy life.
All i ask is for your experience with this species, information as well as advice/recommendations on what I should change and/or keep.

Characteristics Noticed:
- So far I have noticed that he is rather shy as of this moment which is reasonable as it can take weeks for them to adapt. (Example: Hiding in the cardboard box - Which is only temporary I assure you)
- He/she seems to be drinking lots of water even after moving around for a little while.
- Seems to be eating fine, I added some grapes as a noticed that he/she was drinking quite allot of water. (Obviously so he can get some water from the grapes)
- His poo is also fine, the casual brown colour. (No signs of constipation noticed)

Currently in my enclosure I'm using temporary substrate which is wood chip (replacing it with Orchid bark tomorrow afternoon). I have also ordered a walk in water bowl for easy access to the water.

Please feel free to add a comment below recommending me what else to get for my tortoise including an idea on diets, substrates, lighting etc.

Thanks
- Tommy

 

[wellington]

Can you take anything back?
Ditch the red light and the fixture. What kind of wood chips are you using?
The water dish needs replacing. Get a terra cotta saucer big enough for him to go into.
@allegraf and @ZEROPILOT can help further as for temps, humidity and best lights and heat to use

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome.
I use the 5.0 florescent lamps. They are less intense than the 10.0.
I don't understand the need for the florescent lamp "controller". Can someone school me?
I would also get rid of the red bulb. Red is a favorite food color for Redfoot and will (might) make everything look like food. Just get a CHE for heating.
Also , how are you providing humidity? remember your parameters. 80-88f temps. 70%+ on humidity and no bright lighting. No pinpoint lighting at any rate. Shade and hide areas.
Hopefully someone else closer by can help guide you.
@Anyfoot is nearer than most of us.

 

[Redfoo]

Can you take anything back?
Ditch the red light and the fixture. What kind of wood chips are you using?
The water dish needs replacing. Get a terra cotta saucer big enough for him to go into.
@allegraf and @ZEROPILOT can help further as for temps, humidity and best lights and heat to use

I think I might be able to take them back, not too sure as the place is a little far to get too.
Wood-chip is being replace with Orchid Bark. Currently waiting on the food and water bowl to arrive. Also what would be the reason of ditching the "red light and fixture" - just curious.

 

[Redfoo]

Welcome.
I use the 5.0 florescent lamps. They are less intense than the 10.0.
I don't understand the need for the florescent lamp "controller". Can someone school me?
I would also get rid of the red bulb. Red is a favorite food color for Redfoot and will (might) make everything look like food. Just get a CHE for heating.
Also , how are you providing humidity? remember your parameters. 80-88f temps. 70%+ on humidity and no bright lighting. No pinpoint lighting at any rate. Shade and hide areas.
Hopefully someone else closer by can help guide you.
@Anyfoot is nearer than most of us.

Hi there, could you clarify "CHE" for me? Currently spraying small amounts of water In the vivarium (temporarily - until I get paid on the 16th I will buy a Humidifier)

Also should I buy a heat-mat? I was told not to but I'm not 100% sure. I've also noticed that my tortoise spends lots of time in his hiding spot. He eats but it doesn't seem like he eats allot.

 

[Anyfoot]

@Redfoo
You don't need a humidifier or all that stuff the pet shop said.
You need a CHE(ceramic heat emitter) for heat. This needs to be on a thermostat set to 80/86f throughout the enclosure.
For light and UVB put a 5.0uvb tube in that controller you have. You only need a tube about 14" long. Put it to one end over the food. For substrate, use about 4" thick of moist coir. It's dirt cheap(pun intended). Get it from eBay or home bargains when it's in season. On that cover about half the enclosure with orchid bark and/or cypress mulch. Put a hide in the dark end with moist spagnhum moss in and around it. Feed on a flat rock or slate and put a terracotta dish in for water.
Soak your baby every day for 20 minutes.

 

[Redfoo]

@Redfoo
You don't need a humidifier or all that stuff the pet shop said.
You need a CHE(ceramic heat emitter) for heat. This needs to be on a thermostat set to 80/86f throughout the enclosure.
For light and UVB put a 5.0uvb tube in that controller you have. You only need a tube about 14" long. Put it to one end over the food. For substrate, use about 4" thick of moist coir. It's dirt cheap(pun intended). Get it from eBay or home bargains when it's in season. On that cover about half the enclosure with orchid bark and/or cypress mulch. Put a hide in the dark end with moist spagnhum moss in and around it. Feed on a flat rock or slate and put a terracotta dish in for water.
Soak your baby every day for 20 minutes.

Thanks for the reply and for explaining, very Much appreciated

 

[Anyfoot]

Thanks for the reply and for explaining, very Much appreciated

For your humidity aim for 80/90%. To achieve this we are relying on the water to evaporate from the dish, you may need to add another dish to get that level of humidity. Spray the torts carapace from time to time, if you constantly spray the enclosure your substrate will become stagnant. Also keep the moss moist.

 

[Anyfoot]

Where in uk are you. I'm in Sheffield.

 

[Redfoo]

Where in uk are you. I'm in Sheffield.

I'm in Essex.

 

[Anyfoot]

I'm in Essex.

I suppose someone has to live there

 

[Redfoo]

I suppose someone has to live there

haha you know it. Thanks for the tips.

 

[wellington]

To answer the red bulb question. Red is a color tortoises are attracted too. Your red bulb will make things appear red and could make your tort want to eat them/it. Don't want them eating substrate or anything that's not food and night time needs to be all lights out.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thanks @Anyfoot
You certainly know how to keep tropical torts over there!

 

[Redfoo]

Switched the substrate, currently using Orchid Bark. Noticed something different too. He has walking about more and wasn't hiding much.
He had a small portion this morning but it dried out so I gave him something fresh.
I was expecting more of the substrate but didn't get that much. Going to be ordering more soon.
Still waiting on food bowels, water bowels and hides. (Will update the lighting soon and will downgrade to a 5% Fluorescent Bulb.

 

[Redfoo]

Jus

I suppose someone has to live there

Just wondering, I've noticed that my tortoise has been doing a heavy breathe. (Can see it in his neck)
Wondering whether It's normal.

 

[Anyfoot]

Yes it is normal.

 

[TammyJ]

He's lovely. Sprinkle his food with some spring water before you give it to him, or plain tap water. I always moisten my redfoots' meal, helps it to stay fresh especially when I'm not there all day.

 

[MountainFox]

He's lovely. Sprinkle his food with some spring water before you give it to him, or plain tap water. I always moisten my redfoots' meal, helps it to stay fresh especially when I'm not there all day.

Great tip, @TammyJ! I’m going to start doing that!