claudia_elizabethxo

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Sep 15, 2020
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Pulaski
I'm new to this forum so I really hope I'm going about this correctly! A little background about my tort:

I have a male Russian named Todoroki. I got him from a pet store so I'm not sure of his age. I'm personally against buying animals from shops, but I absolutely fell in love with this tortoise specifically and I couldn't leave him behind. His personality won me over and he's been the perfect addition to my little family.

In the coming May, I'm moving out of my tiny apartment (5 people in 3 bedrooms, so as you can imagine I have no space) and will be able to upgrade him to a bigger table than he currently has. The new one will be 48" long by 24" wide. He has a much larger outdoor enclosure where he spends the warmer seasons and he free roams my room often, so don't worry about him. I promise he has plenty of space, free roaming time and access to natural sunlight.

Now, the advice I need:

I'm researching and trying to figure out the ideal lighting situation for this new enclosure.

I know want the Arcadia D3 12% T5 bulb, although it's been really hard to find in the US. I've been told that for a 48" enclosure, I should buy the 22" bulb and fix it above the enclosure on the far left side, which is also where I should place the basking bulb. So, following this advice, his hide would go in the far right, with his basking on the far left, and a 22" uvb fixture also on the far left. Does this sound right? Does anyone have any advice on what might work better?

Also, the bulb would be in a 24" fixture with a reflector. Would 12" above the tortoise be appropriate, or will this bulb hurt him? I read somewhere that a bulb as strong as the Arcadia should only be on for 4 hours a day, while other places say they need 10+hours of uvb. I've never used a light fixture like this and I want to get it right.

I'm researching far in advance so it'll be perfect. I love my little guy and want him to have the best situation possible. Please help!
 

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Homeschool Mom

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5 Year Member
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Mar 8, 2015
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43
Location (City and/or State)
MN
I'm sorry you didn't get any replies. I'm looking for very similar info as we're switching our Russian Tort to a hood light for the first time. Wish you would've gotten a response. Did you go with that lighting? Did you get more input/feedback elsewhere?
 

Mrs.Jennifer

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Tortoise Club
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Jul 22, 2020
Messages
673
Location (City and/or State)
Norwich CT
I'm sorry you didn't get any replies. I'm looking for very similar info as we're switching our Russian Tort to a hood light for the first time. Wish you would've gotten a response. Did you go with that lighting? Did you get more input/feedback elsewhere?
I too have a Russian! This care sheet helped me IMMENSELY!

 
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