Take 2 on the Enclosure

[passwordstaco]

Hi All,

Looking for some feedback again because my last setup was not ideal. It was was an open enclosure and I had a real hard time maintaining the humidity.

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I am now able to maintain 80% humidity while the substrate is still dry! I had a couple questions though:

1. Because of the greenhouse cloche, it maintains the heat very easily, do I need to air this thing out during the night to drop down the temperature? While testing, it will keep that temp for a decent while, like over a couple hours. I am measuring around 80s on the cool side and mid 90s on the hot side. The basking plate should get a bit hotter than that, have not put it in yet. I am measuring the terracotta plate as a placeholder for now.
2. For a hatchling, I should be keeping him inside the enclosure as much as possible right? I like the idea of giving it some nature sun but not sure if that will stress the little guy out too much.
3. Even with maintaining that humidity(80%+ all the time), I should still provide baths daily right? I feel like picking him/her up is causing stress.
4. Should the tortoise have a "dry" area? I noticed in some of the larger outdoor enclosures, like Chris's or ArizonaTortoiseCompound, they have a large open area and then a humid hide area. I would assume the outside air isnt constant at 80%. Do they need a break from the humidity?
5. For people that know plants, my plants(all safe from the TortoiseTable site: Echeveria, Acanthaceae, Echinacea, and I forget the name of the other one) do not seem to be doing well indoors. I planted them and setup the enclosure for a couple days outside in the sun and they were doing great, but they started to wilt once I put the cloche on. Any recommendations on plants?
6. How do you water your plants and keep the substrate dry? Or is it okay to keep certain spots moist?
7. The light situation is not ideal right now but I have a Zoo Med T5 10.0 fluorescent tube coming Saturday. Would it be okay to put the little guy inside with the basking light for a day? Using a Zoo Med PowerSun UV UVB.

Anything else that I might have missed would be helpful! Thanks

 

[CurtB]

Looks amazing so far! I also want to know the answers to your questions because I just set mine up as well today! Although mine has extra inches all around that are not touching the enclosure completely it looks great .

 

[passwordstaco]

What plants are you using?

 

[AgataP]

From what I see on the picture looks like the extra foil is hanging down ?
I would tuck that under so there is no way or less way for heat and humidity to get out.
I have a tiny layer of dry substrate but as soon as my tort walks on it you can see it’s not dry. His hide out has some good humidity and since two days ago he covers himself with “wet” substrate.

Also be aware that the water will be dripping down so make sure your floor is safe. Also when it gets warm that plastic stretches a bit - I used it as a first enclosure.

What are you using for substrate?

Yes to the daily soaks.
Does he have a hideout?

 

[passwordstaco]

I am using potting soil, mason sand, and orchid bark mixture. The amount varies in different places.

He has a hide out, might be hard to see but it is under the second level. I built it in a way that I can lift it up and check on the guy if need be.

Good call on tucking the plastic in, I will definitely do that.

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

 

[Mrs.Jennifer]

It looks wonderful! As far as the plants go, those are all plants that require full sun. That’s why they were great while you had them outside. Unfortunately there is not enough light in there for them. Also, plants water requirements should be considered as well when choosing. The plants you chose have diverse water needs.

 

[passwordstaco]

It looks wonderful! As far as the plants go, those are all plants that require full sun. That’s why they were great while you had them outside. Unfortunately there is not enough light in there for them. Also, plants water requirements should be considered as well when choosing. The plants you chose have diverse water needs.

Oh thanks, I am have no on plants and just got stuff that looked nice and was on the safe list. Can you recommend some plants for an indoor enclosure?

 

[Blackdog1714]

Oh thanks, I am have no on plants and just got stuff that looked nice and was on the safe list. Can you recommend some plants for an indoor enclosure?

Spider and pothos plants do well

 

[Patrick McMullen]

"Too much outside time is bad for babies. It slows their growth tremendously and causes pyramiding. I've done many side-by-side experiments with clutch mates over the years to determine this fact. My general rule is an hour of access to sunshine per inch of tortoise. Once they reach around 5 inches, outside all day is fine, weather permitting, but soak daily and continue to let them sleep in their humid closed chamber every night until they get a bit bigger." https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threa...se-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181497/

 

[Happytort27]

I am using potting soil, mason sand, and orchid bark mixture. The amount varies in different places.

Sand and potting soil are not good for your tortoise. Sand can cause impaction and irritate tortoises eyes. You don’t know what’s in the potting soil. It may contain poisonous plants or clippings of plants that have been sprayed with chemicals. Orchid bark is a great substrate and can be used alone.