That's the general idea. To have it in there so the tort can eat it when needed. Just like with the cuttlefish bone. I just happened to find calcium on the herp store a few month ago and went with this solution, skipping the cuttlefish.

I keep the small container (a water bottle cap) next to his feeding rock (missing in the last picture, since it was removed for cleaning) to promote interest. Torts are inquisitive by nature, I guess, and it took mine a couple of minutes to find it, sniff it and devour it.

Fist week was intense, but now it eats small amounts everyother week.

I'm sure it'll work with your torts to.

This is very helpful to all of us 'just getting started' to use as a guide.

Thank you!

And to those who aren't just getting started, but just trying to get it right!!!!

Testudo Greek, You have inspired me!!
After looking at your new enclosure(and having this snowny day off!) I decided to build my Russians a new pen. I took some 1 X 10's and cut 2 at 48in and 2 at 38 in and nailed them together, Took a piece of plywood cut to fit, nailed on.Took some old pool liner(which was frozen) thawed it out and tried to cut to fit(round doesn't fit too well in square,plus I didn't want to staple it to the bottom and have any leak spots so it's a bit bunchy))
Added peat moss, to what I had leftover unfrozen dirt, sterile pot soil and bark mulch. Still wondering how my temps will be, might have to adjust, but put my Russians in and the female went right over to eat.
Tell me what I am missing for them, it's about time I get it right.Thanks            

Two things , I relize it's TestudoGeek Sorry, and I put in the same pic twice. Oh well you get the idea.

Woo Hooo! Way to go

Nay, Congrats on your new pen, sounds like you worked hard today. You have water, food, substrate, a hide, lamps, Plants and it looks like, is that a stool for you (Hehe). Looks good to me. What type of plant is that? It looks like a Spathyphyllium (Peace lily)? Are they Good for torts?

This post was last modified: 02-22-2008 05:36 PM by Crazy1.

Hi Robyn, I did work hard, thank you. Using power tools, although it's my husbands liviehood, is not my thing!!
The plant is a Peace lily, but the torts can't even come close to reaching it. That was the next thing to check on, I have a zillon plants in my home. Which ones are safe? Spider plants are abundant right now, are they ok? I did see hens and chix are good, but they are outside in hibernation, I'll be sure to keep some of those in next year.
The stool is what the clamps fit on!! but I do think the lights have to be re tweeked. That project today.(maybe new pens for the Rf anf\d the Leopard next week!!!)
How often do you guys completely change the substrate??
Na

You go girl
Spider plants and wandering jew are good. I feed my torts these fequently. I seen the clamps on the stool I just thought it cute and really not a bad idea. My guys are on 6 to 8 inches of dirt and sand plus shredded aspen I don't change the entire substrate. They are outside from about March to Nov. Next year they will be on only aspen so I will probably change the whole thing out more often. Most of their toilet habits are done during soak time so it saves on the cleanup.

Good work Nay!
Looks like your hard work payed off.
How are the torts liking the new setup?
What did the old one look like?