Suitable Enclosure?

[Esme123]

Could anyone give opinions on wether this is suitable for my 10month old Sulcata?

 

[BrianWI]

You are gonna take a beating!

There is a lot wrong there. But you'll get a lot of help! I'll start by saying you need to get better bedding, I like fine coconut bedding topped by the coarse stuff. Helps keep the humidity up, which you will also hear.

 

[Esme123]

Ahh we got this set up by an exotic pet shop where we got our tortoise from!

I'm in the UK, where can I get the coconut bedding from?

Is there anything else we should change?

 

[Barrysulcata]

Hi bud were are you in uk

 

[Esme123]

North West, Manchester

Are you in the UK?

 

[naturalman91]

as Brian said you'll need to change the bedding to something that can hold humidity and gives them something to burrow into

there is misinformation that sulcata's don't need humidity but in reality they do to help them grow smooth and not pyramid

 

[BrianWI]

Ahh we got this set up by an exotic pet shop where we got our tortoise from!

I'm in the UK, where can I get the coconut bedding from?

Is there anything else we should change?

Yes, the little log hide should be replaced with something that will hold more humidity. And if the tank is not mostly sealed, I would get it that way. 80% humidity is a hard mark.

What do you use for heat/ light? What do you use at night for heat? I personally don't like using lights at night, I believe strongly in a day/ night cycle.

 

[Esme123]

Thank you glad I asked, I'll go to a different exotic pet shop at the weekend who have a huge Sulcata there so hopefully they will be more knowledgable and we can get some proper stuff

 

[BrianWI]

I also see a coil CFL in there. Is it a UVB reptile version? I LIKE those, others will disagree. You will make your own decision there.

 

[Esme123]

Yes, the little log hide should be replaced with something that will hold more humidity. And if the tank is not mostly sealed, I would get it that way. 80% humidity is a hard mark.

What do you use for heat/ light? What do you use at night for heat? I personally don't like using lights at night, I believe strongly in a day/ night cycle.

We don't use lights at night, we switch them off when we go to bed and back on first thing in the morning.

These are the lights we use which came with the vivarium...

 

[BrianWI]

I like those, but you will hear differently from others on the UVB coils. As an insider in the industry, I know they are safe. But, you will hear differently and have a decision to make.

Do you have any heat at night?

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi , you found the "sulcata section" read the posts above the line "sticky posts" and you will find the info you need !

 

[Barrysulcata]

Hi esme
I am in Wales uk
These guys and girls will give yu some great information on here

 

[Esme123]

I like those, but you will hear differently from others on the UVB coils. As an insider in the industry, I know they are safe. But, you will hear differently and have a decision to make.

Do you have any heat at night?

We've got no problems with the UVB and heats up well so will more than likely stay with it.

At night the tank goes to 70 Fahrenheit

 

[Speedy-1]

We've got no problems with the UVB and heats up well so will more than likely stay with it.

At night the tank goes to 70 Fahrenheit

70 degrees is a minimum of 10 degrees too cold for a hatchling Sulcata ! ( up to a year) Here is another link that will help you ;

 

[BrianWI]

OK, I would want to bring that up a bit at night. Daytime temps under basking light most people like 100F. I run about 95F myself under basking area. I use a CHE for that. I heat the hide at night with an under tank heater (5w) that keeps it at 82F

 

[Barrysulcata]

Hi esme
Tim from Wales how's it going
I keep my temp in the day at 95f
Night time I keep mine at 80f
So I think 70f is to low at night for your little fellow
Take things one step at a time it will all come together then you can sit back and watch him grow