I have a new species, platyona! I can't wait to see them grow!

PA2019

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Tom

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For some reason I thought an arcadia bulb with housing was around $300. After some research I can see I was waaay off. $60 for each enclosure is much more affordable...

From what I have read T5 are better than T8? Do I want the 6% or 12%?

lightyourreptile.com pangeareptile.com or do any of you know of a cheaper reliable source?

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

Is the one in the link above okay? I have a solarmeter 6.5 so I can test it and make sure the UVB is proper, but what should I keep it at? 1-2.6?

The T-5 HO bulbs are the way to go. I use the 12% tubes and run them on a timer for a few hours mid day only. A UVI reading of anywhere from 3 to 6 will get the job done. If you get a 3, I'd run the bulb longer each day. If you get a reading of 6+, I'd run the bulb for a shorter time each day. I recommend you buy the fixture with the reflector hood with the bulbs.

I buy mine from lightyourreptiles.com. The one in your link should be great.
 

PA2019

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What do you use as secondary lighting for the other 12 hours? Isn't UVB important for food recognition?

I’m planning on LED light bars in the 6500K for ambient lighting. They give off minimal heat, important for a closed chamber, and are energy efficient.

My only interest in providing UVB is for shell growth and simulating the suns natural ebb and flow. I have zero concern about food recognition. If you raise hatchlings in ideal conditions they will find the food.
 

Markw84

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For some reason I thought an arcadia bulb with housing was around $300. After some research I can see I was waaay off. $60 for each enclosure is much more affordable...

From what I have read T5 are better than T8? Do I want the 6% or 12%?

lightyourreptile.com pangeareptile.com or do any of you know of a cheaper reliable source?

http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/22-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/

Is the one in the link above okay? I have a solarmeter 6.5 so I can test it and make sure the UVB is proper, but what should I keep it at? 1-2.6?

That is exactly the fixture and bulb both @Tom and I use. However, we use the 46" fixture and bulb. With 3 platynota, you will need a big enough enclosure that the coverage of a 46" fixture will work much better for you. Here is the one exactly:


http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/46-t-5-ho-fixture-high-output-with-arcadia-d3-12-ho-bulb/
 

Stoneman

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@g4mobile thank you for asking. I know it has been a little while since I have revisited this thread. I am not happy with myself about their development. I made some major life changes, changed job within the company and moved out of state. I got injured outside of work and was forced out of my new position. Then my wife was the breadmaker for about five months, and now I have been in a good position with a decent company for about two months now so I am planning on making some upgrades soon.

I lost one about nine months ago. I take full responsibility for it. There were days I did not bathe and temps, lighting, and humidity were not ideal for them. I was giving it like four baths a day. I was monitoring it and saw it put its head under water, I was happy it was finally drinking again. It wasn't drinking. It gave up the ghost.

Of the two I still have, their growth has not been pyramid, but has been less than what it should be. One has developed less than the other torts I had it with so I separated the smaller one. They were not kept as a pair. I had them in with a group with radiata.

I use T5 bulbs and overhead chick heat plates. I am keeping them in stock tanks with first bark below. They are eating leafy greens, layer feed, mazuri original, and a little alfalfa pellet and zoomed mixed but they don't like the last two much so I try to just sprinkle it in. I have been pretty good about baths. 5 to 6 days per week at least.

I bought an ink bird thermostat I am going to wire and I plan to get a few 96" animal plastic enclosures when I get my taxes back.
 

Yvonne G

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Read the ingredients and make sure your layer feed doesn't contain medications and antibiotics.
 

Stoneman

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Yes @g4mobile you are reading that correctly. They have hardly grown in the 16 months I have had them. However, their shells are hard and do not appear to Express symptoms of failure to thrive. I am concerned about them, and I do not want to lose them, so I have been keeping a really close eye on them and have been bathing them religiously. I really wish I followed last year's new year's resolution and learned how to read microbes under a scope. :-(
 

g4mobile

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Yes @g4mobile you are reading that correctly. They have hardly grown in the 16 months I have had them. However, their shells are hard and do not appear to Express symptoms of failure to thrive. I am concerned about them, and I do not want to lose them, so I have been keeping a really close eye on them and have been bathing them religiously. I really wish I followed last year's new year's resolution and learned how to read microbes under a scope. :-(
I have posted pictures of my set up. I am using a 4ft x 2ft closed chamber. Substrate consists of a bottom layer of coco coir and top layer of cypress mulch. I am able to maintain 80+% humidity. I have a Radiant Heat Panel on one side and Zoomed RT-600 thermostat set to never drop below 82 degrees, which keeps the entire enclosure above 80. I have a standard flood bulb for daytime heat on the other end. An Arcadia T5 HO to help with lighting and UVB. I use an AcuRite digital thermometer measuring temp and humidity.

This set up has been working fantastic and our tortoise is growing well and very healthy. I would suggest changing your set up immediately. They must not be growing because they are not being raised in optimal conditions. I hate for you to lose another tortoise.

I am no expert and just following all the information I found on this forum. I’ve learned so much over the past year since purchasing my tortoise from a Breeder on this forum. Good luck and keep us updated!
 

Stoneman

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Thank you so much @g4mobile . I am really nervous about losing another one. As I should be with these symptoms. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me and for being such a scholarly gentleman. Getting them right is high on my to do list. I look forward to showing you my progress. Could you by chance show me some images of yourclosed chamber so can consider then for ideas? Thank you once again! :)
 

mrnewberry

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Here is thread on raising up stars it includes some closed chamber conversation. https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-star-tortoise.159167/ People range from insulated and sealed plywood or pvc to aquariums with tents over them to hold in humidity. Plywood wants to rot (although some have had success sealing it), I hear aquariums have temperature issues, and pvc seems to be ideal (but is expensive and is sometimes harder to obtain).
 

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