Well, we managed to keep the RT a secret till the big morning. My son is so pleased with his gift, but...

I noticed that her eyes are watery. I'm not certain if she's eating... if she is, it's not much. I'll have to attach a pic later of she and her enclosure.

There is a 14 day health guarantee on the RT's at Petco. Are watery eyes enough to return her to the store for? I hate to do that to her, but I also hate spending $90 on a sick RT.

She was at my daughters house for 5 days in a large rubbermaid container with alphafa pellet substrate, a UV light, ceramic heater and a water dish. I hope I didn't do something to make her sick.

Have you changed her to a different enclosure? The alfalfa pellets are not a great substrate. Take some pics and include the temps that you have. Do you have a basking light? Maybe it is not warm enough.

Ok, I'll change the substrate. I'm getting the impression here that the best substrate is the 50/50 sand soil. Is that correct?

Do they still need the basking light with the ceramic heater? I'll have to invest in a thermometer as well.

Soil and sand is usually the best thing for Russians.
You only really need a ceramic heat emitter if your night time temperatures are to low. During the day tortoises need as much visable light as you can possibly give them.
A regular incandescent or combined heat and UV bulb is best for a day time basking spot.

Danny

Ok, I'll take that advise and fix up her enclosure. I did notice that we we had her outdoors today she seemed much more perky.

I'm in the process of fixing up an outdoor play pen for her.

Outdoor sunshine is always best, but when not available you have to get that heat and light up inside. I think you will find that might make all the difference.

i would use more topsoil than sand in the mix 60/40 or even 70/30 is fine

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Regular soil that you buy in bulk at a garden place, or does it have to be special? I know that it shouldn't be potting soil.

If you can find organic, that is ideal. You can usually find it at garden centers.

well, now her outdoor play and indoor tub is lined with top soil and sand. I also moved the heater a little closer so the temp would rise a bit in one corner of the tub. I put a thermometer at one end and it's reading somewhere around 80-85.

She (sorry, not named yet) instantly stuck her face in the dirt when I put her on it. I don't know how to read the emotions of a RT yet, but somehow it seemed like she was a little happier.

Thanks for your help, I'll keep you posted.