Soaking Question

[missjmg19]

Hello,

I know most folks recommend soaking in morning before he is already warmed up, which makes sense. But, once we go back to work/school next week, his outdoor time will be later afternoon/early evening......so he'll get fresh air and sun, but not exactly "hot basking sun." We've been soaking him now right after we come inside before putting him back in enclosure.

Also, once he is fully acclimated, how many times a week does a 5 year old need to be soaked? Does it hurt to do it more often?

Thanks!

 

[Gillian M]

Hello,

I know most folks recommend soaking in morning before he is already warmed up, which makes sense. But, once we go back to work/school next week, his outdoor time will be later afternoon/early evening......so he'll get fresh air and sun, but not exactly "hot basking sun." We've been soaking him now right after we come inside before putting him back in enclosure.

Also, once he is fully acclimated, how many times a week does a 5 year old need to be soaked? Does it hurt to do it more often?

Thanks!

Hi! When it gets so very hot here, I soak Oli up to three times in 24 hours! Sounds nuts I know.

 

[JoesMum]

Your tort can be soaked 2-3 times a week at that size.

In the autumn, Joe just becomes part of the breakfast routine to get everyone ready in the morning... he has his soak while I eat my breakfast, yell at whoever needs to get up, find the 'lost' item, etc.

Then I stick him under the basking lamp and we continue with our day.

While getting UVB from the sun, however weak, at the end of the day is great... your tort will need to be able to bask during the day and so must have a basking lamp in the indoor enclosure.

 

[missjmg19]

Your tort can be soaked 2-3 times a week at that size.

In the autumn, Joe just becomes part of the breakfast routine to get everyone ready in the morning... he has his soak while I eat my breakfast, yell at whoever needs to get up, find the 'lost' item, etc.

Then I stick him under the basking lamp and we continue with our day.

While getting UVB from the sun, however weak, at the end of the day is great... your tort will need to be able to bask during the day and so must have a basking lamp in the indoor enclosure.

Thanks.....he has basking lamp and UVB lamp (2 separate bulbs). Right now, hot side gets to be around 92. The cooler side stays around 80 and he also has nice hide that he goes in and out of throughout day.

 

[Tom]

Hello,

I know most folks recommend soaking in morning before he is already warmed up, which makes sense. But, once we go back to work/school next week, his outdoor time will be later afternoon/early evening......so he'll get fresh air and sun, but not exactly "hot basking sun." We've been soaking him now right after we come inside before putting him back in enclosure.

Also, once he is fully acclimated, how many times a week does a 5 year old need to be soaked? Does it hurt to do it more often?

Thanks!

I soak my tortoises whenever its convenient. I generally do it late in the day when its warmer out. I almost never soak them in the morning.

Soaking a 5 year old twice a week should be enough. Soaking everyday won't hurt anything.

 

[Tom]

Thanks.....he has basking lamp and UVB lamp (2 separate bulbs). Right now, hot side gets to be around 92. The cooler side stays around 80 and he also has nice hide that he goes in and out of throughout day.

Basking area should be closer to 100.

What type of UV bulb are you using?

 

[cmacusa3]

Hi! When it gets so very hot here, I soak Oli up to three times in 24 hours! Sounds nuts I know.

Does he live outside or is it hot in the house? I would love to see him and the enclosure.

 

[missjmg19]

Basking area should be closer to 100.

What type of UV bulb are you using?

Basking Light: http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-basking-spot-bulbs.html ..... was using 100 watts and basking side was in mid/upper 90's, but then cool side was over 80. Lowered basking bulb to 75 watts, so now that area is just over 90, but cool side is better. Not sure which is better option!

UV Bulb: http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-5.0-mini-compact-fluorescent.html .... cannot remember wattage.

Tank is just under 50 gallon breeder tank.

Trying to figure out best combination of lighting to make both sides what they need to be.

Thanks.

 

[missjmg19]

I soak my tortoises whenever its convenient. I generally do it late in the day when its warmer out. I almost never soak them in the morning.

Soaking a 5 year old twice a week should be enough. Soaking everyday won't hurt anything.

Thank you!

 

[Gillian M]

Does he live outside or is it hot in the house? I would love to see him and the enclosure.

Oli lives inside all year round: I live in a flat, therefore there's NO way he could live outside.

Will post pics of Oli and his enclosure soon.

 

[Tom]

Basking Light: http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-basking-spot-bulbs.html ..... was using 100 watts and basking side was in mid/upper 90's, but then cool side was over 80. Lowered basking bulb to 75 watts, so now that area is just over 90, but cool side is better. Not sure which is better option!

UV Bulb: http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-5.0-mini-compact-fluorescent.html .... cannot remember wattage.

Tank is just under 50 gallon breeder tank.

Trying to figure out best combination of lighting to make both sides what they need to be.

Thanks.

You need a much larger enclosure, and I wouldn't use the coil bulb. They sometimes burn reptile eyes, and they are not an effective UV source anyway.

Please give these a read for more tips:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

They explain heating, lighting, UV and enclosure size, along with a bunch of other stuff too.

 

[missjmg19]

You need a much larger enclosure, and I wouldn't use the coil bulb. They sometimes burn reptile eyes, and they are not an effective UV source anyway.

Please give these a read for more tips:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

They explain heating, lighting, UV and enclosure size, along with a bunch of other stuff too.

I know that our enclosure size is not ideal, but it's the best we can do. I have those threads printed, but thanks for the reminder. Will look to see what they say about lights. Happy to buy a better kind of UV light if someone has a recommendation.