ToryTort

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2019
Messages
21
Location (City and/or State)
Liverpool:Merseyside
I purchased a Sulcata a couple of weeks ago. It came with a tortoise table and a rubbish bulb with plastic light fitting.
The pet store said for me to keep the light on 24hours, I knew this to be wrong after doing a little research before purchasing and couldn’t believe what he’s said.
Anyway i have recently read that Vivariums are better for young tortoises, I was lead to believe beforehand they were not suitable and I need a tortoise table for airflow etc.
My first question is do I need a Vivarium ? If so how long do I keep him in there for and when can he start sleeping outside with s heated/uv enclosure to go into. “My tortoise is around 4months, I bath him and spray his terrain etc.
2nd question, My ceramic bulb has hairline cracks in I purchased it new. Is this normal, if so is it safe to be left on 24/7 on a thermostat ?
Last but not least what are the best lighting hours, I’ve read variations from 12 on 12 off 14/10, 16/08. At the moment he’s on 14/10 on a 80w uv bulb basking temp 38 degrees.
 

Cathie G

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
14,904
Location (City and/or State)
Lancaster
I purchased a Sulcata a couple of weeks ago. It came with a tortoise table and a rubbish bulb with plastic light fitting.
The pet store said for me to keep the light on 24hours, I knew this to be wrong after doing a little research before purchasing and couldn’t believe what he’s said.
Anyway i have recently read that Vivariums are better for young tortoises, I was lead to believe beforehand they were not suitable and I need a tortoise table for airflow etc.
My first question is do I need a Vivarium ? If so how long do I keep him in there for and when can he start sleeping outside with s heated/uv enclosure to go into. “My tortoise is around 4months, I bath him and spray his terrain etc.
2nd question, My ceramic bulb has hairline cracks in I purchased it new. Is this normal, if so is it safe to be left on 24/7 on a thermostat ?
Last but not least what are the best lighting hours, I’ve read variations from 12 on 12 off 14/10, 16/08. At the moment he’s on 14/10 on a 80w uv bulb basking temp 38 degrees.
Hang in there. I can't give you answers or advice on sulcotas. There's tremendous amounts of info on Tortoise Forum until someone with more experiences gets in touch with you in the meantime. I went through all that wrong advice too with my Russian. I can tell you this...as soon as a pet shop tried to sell me box turtle food for my grassland tortoise...I became deaf to anything else they said. Daylight and darkness is good for everyone.
 

TechnoCheese

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
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Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
4,505
Location (City and/or State)
Lewisville, Texas
Welcome to the forum! Very glad you joined.

First, give these a read-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

-for the enclosure, you want anything with very limited air flow to hold 80-100% humidity. You could use a large tub for this.

-my ceramic bulb has a little piece missing, but I’ve been using it for almost 3 years with no issues. I would imagine it works fine.

- I do a 14/10 light cycle, but 12/12 or anything in between works fine. Be sure that you have a few dark hides.
 

ToryTort

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2019
Messages
21
Location (City and/or State)
Liverpool:Merseyside
Welcome to the forum! Very glad you joined.

First, give these a read-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

-for the enclosure, you want anything with very limited air flow to hold 80-100% humidity. You could use a large tub for this.

-my ceramic bulb has a little piece missing, but I’ve been using it for almost 3 years with no issues. I would imagine it works fine.

- I do a 14/10 light cycle, but 12/12 or anything in between works fine. Be sure that you have a few dark hides.

Thanks very much for your reply. I will read the links you posted. Thanks
 

Wright78

Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2018
Messages
61
Location (City and/or State)
North Attleboro MA
My ceramic bulbs have what looks like micro cracks also. I have had 1 for over 20 years and it still works fine. I just bought a new one and it was the same way.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I purchased a Sulcata a couple of weeks ago. It came with a tortoise table and a rubbish bulb with plastic light fitting.
The pet store said for me to keep the light on 24hours, I knew this to be wrong after doing a little research before purchasing and couldn’t believe what he’s said.
Anyway i have recently read that Vivariums are better for young tortoises, I was lead to believe beforehand they were not suitable and I need a tortoise table for airflow etc.
My first question is do I need a Vivarium ? If so how long do I keep him in there for and when can he start sleeping outside with s heated/uv enclosure to go into. “My tortoise is around 4months, I bath him and spray his terrain etc.
2nd question, My ceramic bulb has hairline cracks in I purchased it new. Is this normal, if so is it safe to be left on 24/7 on a thermostat ?
Last but not least what are the best lighting hours, I’ve read variations from 12 on 12 off 14/10, 16/08. At the moment he’s on 14/10 on a 80w uv bulb basking temp 38 degrees.
Hello and welcome. Lucky for you and your tortoise that you realize the pet shop's advice was rubbish.
 
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