I think I bought all the wrong things

MStacy

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
49
I'm using a 100 gallon glass aquarium. It came with a metal mesh top. I'm not using the mesh top as of now. I also have a UVB clamped onto one side, a CHE in the middle and all the way to the right is a darker area with her humid hideout.

I bought rheostat instead of an actual thermostat. I'm in the US, can someone link the appropriate thermostat please?

Also, I bought a stick on thermometer and humidity gauge. It's not even digital. What is the best way to monitor humidity and temp. I've heard I need a infrared spot gun?

I know it's not safe to have clamp lights, but I'm not sure of my options. I cannot get my humidity high even though I have the cypress mulch and moss damp and it's covered with tin foil.

Should I buy plexiglass, cut holes, and hang the lights?
 

xXtortoiseloverXx

Active Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
318
Location (City and/or State)
south Florida
if u tank is close to wall then just buy a hanger from hardware store and hang the light on wall,for humidity indoor with ac is hard to get it up unless u cover the top which i don't like it,spray more water and more often may help.
 

MStacy

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
49
This is without the tin foil, oh and all the substrate is cypress mulch and spaghnum moss.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20150804_092433021_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20150804_092433021_HDR.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 27

leigti

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2013
Messages
7,026
Location (City and/or State)
southeast Washington
How tall is the aquarium? I don't think there's anything wrong with the substrate, but some people suggest coconut coir. You can use an opaque plastic container, cut a doorway in it and you have a human hide. What kind of UVB bulb is it? If it is the coil kind get rid of it. A mercury vapor bulb is fine but I would suggest putting it in a larger fixture to help spread out the UV and the heat. Here are some suggestions, just examples but they all cost $10 or less.:) I will let the sulcata experts give you more information. This Tank won't last for long for your little baby but it will last for a little bit.ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1438733480.889651.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1438733497.051057.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1438733520.269004.jpg
 

leigti

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2013
Messages
7,026
Location (City and/or State)
southeast Washington
And I think plexiglass with the holes cut in it is a very good idea. There is just no way to keep the humidity high enough for a baby with the top open.
 

MStacy

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
49
I have a 100 watt MVB bulb. Will the plastic bin hold humidity in better than the hollowed out log. She always says out in the light. She never buries or hides.

Are any of those thermostats that regulate temps?
 

leigti

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2013
Messages
7,026
Location (City and/or State)
southeast Washington
Yes, the plastic container will hold more humidity than the log. I do not have anything that regulates temperature for the CHE other people will have to give you ideas for those. Those are a temperature gun and something to measure humidity and temperature. Hatchling tortoise does not need a warm side and a cold side, they need a warm enclosure with an even warmer basking area. You definitely need to get a temperature gun soon, the temperatures are very important. I got both of those gauges off of Amazon, but Home Depot or Walmart etc may also have them.
 

MStacy

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
49
And I think plexiglass with the holes cut in it is a very good idea. There is just no way to keep the humidity high enough for a baby with the top open.
Yeah, hubby says he'll build something. He's talking about building a wood cover.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
If you haven't, read Toms threads below in my post. They will help with most if not all questions/concerns. Of course we will still answer them too. A dark plastic bin would hold humdiity better then the log. You said you got the screen top. Cut holes so the lights, heat sits on top of the screen, but the bulbs are over the holes. Then cover the screen with tin foil. Set lights/heat over holes, but rim is sitting on tin foil covered screen. You sulcata won't be in this enclosure very long, maybe a year, so I would use what you have to make it more of a closed chamber and save the money for the next, bigger enclosure you will need. The puck type temp and humdity gauges are almost worthless. A digital one, placed at tort height is worth the extra few bucks. They are pretty cheap. The temp gun you could wait on if you get a good gauge now, or use the puck things and buy the temp gun to double check.
 
Top