Uv lighting

[Justinstarr]

I finished my table its in the garage an 8 by 3 box. I have led xmas light stran and a dome lamp with a uvb bulb on timer and a night uvb bulb and ceramic heater on 24 hours. The box stayed between 65 and 78 for now. Were running 50 degree temps outside at this point.
I placed my sulcata in thier but after 4 days not much movement at all. Id like some advice.

 

[cmacusa3]

I finished my table its in the garage an 8 by 3 box. I have led xmas light stran and a dome lamp with a uvb bulb on timer and a night uvb bulb and ceramic heater on 24 hours. The box stayed between 65 and 78 for now. Were running 50 degree temps outside at this point.
I placed my sulcata in thier but after 4 days not much movement at all. Id like some advice.View attachment 191823 View attachment 191824

Start another thread of your own so people will be able to help instead of high jacking this thread. Those temps are way too cool for him. How old and how big is he? I'm sure a mod can move this and start a new one for you

 

[Justinstarr]

I just finished converting my workbench in the garage to a tortoise table for my sulcata. im running a 24 hour ceramic heater and a twin dome lamp with day and night uvb bulbs the tables running 65 to 78 for now its in the 50's outside. its been 4 days and not much movement at all. id like some advice please.

 

[Yvonne G]

It's too open and the lights/heat are too high. Cover the open sides to keep the cool garage air out and that will keep the warm air in.

 

[cmacusa3]

It needs to be closed up, it's open and can't hold the heat. He will get sick at those temps. How old and how big is he?

 

[Justinstarr]

5 years and 7 in long

 

[Justinstarr]

5 years and 7 in long

I put him back inside for the time i was going to wait till this weekend and insulate the under side top of the table and my garage door

 

[cmacusa3]

Sulcata right?

You will need to either put up some wood sides or try to hang some heavy plastic or tarp material. It looks great inside of it.

 

[Justinstarr]

Sulcata right?

You will need to either put up some wood sides or try to hang some heavy plastic or tarp material. It looks great inside of it.

It is sulcata i will cover up the back and sides tommorrow ill think of something on the front. Id still have to have ventilation for sure

 

[cmacusa3]

It is sulcata i will cover up the back and sides tommorrow ill think of something on the front. Id still have to have ventilation for sure

You will have plenty of ventilation with it completely closed up. Mine sleeps in a closed up box at night. Temps are mid 80's with very high humidity.

 

[Tom]

Justin, I see several issues. I think you've already addressed some of them, but for clarity, I'll list them all.

1. Your tortoise needs it to be around 80 degrees and humid 24/7. You won't be able to do that in an open enclosure in a cold garage. See this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
2. Those shavings in your substrate have to go. They will mold when damp. The coir is not dangerous, but I think you will find that it is too messy. Fine grade orchid bark works best.
3. Looks like you've got the wrong bulbs. No coil type cfl UV bulbs, and no colored bulbs. There is no "night" UV bulb, so I don't know what that is. Use the long tubes for UV and a CHE or two set on a thermostat to maintain ambient and night temps.
4. What are you feeding your tortoise?

Read these for more info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/