It is nothing wrong with clear pee. I always keep all my torts well hydrated. Some torts may produce pee with color (mostly yellow) some just clear like water like my hermanni.
Thanks for your advice. I spent 330$ on this "Exo-Terra Glass Terrarium Large - Low 36" L X 18" W X 12" H " It looks like this:Your enclosure is WAYYYYY too small. I recommend a MINIMUM of 122 x 244cm (4x8' for us "behind the curve" Americans...). This is one reason for his behavior. Russians sometimes walk miles a day in the wild, so they need and benefit from relatively large enclosures.
I only replace my substrate when a new animal is going to be living in that enclosure. I spot clean as needed and remove any leftover food or feces right away. My tortoises seldom poop indoors because I soak them regularly and they defecate in their soaking water. I have used the same substrate for several years in some cases.
Still, there is no harm in replacing the substrate every day if you want to. Your tortoise will get used to whatever routine you choose to follow.
Thanks alot for your reply!It is a good thing he is active. Don't worry. I just change my substrate about twice a year and I pick out the yucky stuff daily. You don't even have to "change it" that much just top it up on top. But you do have to change it at LEAST once a year. Remember a bigger tort table/tank is ALWAYS Better. Do you take him outside regularly? Does he get enough UVB and can he see over the top of his cage walls because that might be what is causing him to try and get out. Good luck.
Oh my it seems like Im doing so many thing wrong.. Again thanks for your tips.No need to soak every day. Two or three times a week will be enough for a tortoise that age.
I would not use that coil bulb. This can burn their eyes. The long tube types or the mercury vapor bulbs are a much safer alternative.
I don't like infrared bulbs, especially for daytime use. You need white light.
I don't like the intense spot bulbs because they tend to run too hot and concentrate the carapace damaging heat in one place. All you need is a regular household flood bulb. I LE the 65 watt ones. Then adjust the height of the bulb to get the correct basking temperature under it.