Sealing a vivarium- tips?

[RaspberrySam]

(I'm in the UK)

So I'm hoping that, in the next couple of weeks, I'll be the proud owner of a Hermann's hatchling, and naturally I've been building a vivarium for it to spend the first few years of life in before graduating to a full table.

Said Viv is your average 4x2x2 made of MDF with a plastic veneer covering, and I intend to use a coco coir substrate. I know of course that all the joints need to be sealed- I've got some aquarium sealant on the way for that exact reason.

My question is, though, whether I will be able to just drop some substrate straight in, or whether I need to put some lining in; and if that's the case, if anyone has any suggestions for what to use and how to apply.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello! If you can seal the seams really well you can put substrate as is. However, using a pond liner, a good quality shower curtain or similar plastic film gives you additional layer of protection. As pouring water in substrate is more effective than spraying for maintaining humidity, good water insulation of vivairum bottom is important. You can use a duct tape for plumbing (moisture resistant) to fix edges of plastic film to vivarium walls.

 

[RaspberrySam]

Hello! If you can seal the seams really well you can put substrate as is. However, using a pond liner, a good quality shower curtain or similar plastic film gives you additional layer of protection. As pouring water in substrate is more effective than spraying for maintaining humidity, good water insulation of vivairum bottom is important. You can use a duct tape for plumbing (moisture resistant) to fix edges of plastic film to vivarium walls.

Alright, I've got a shower curtain and some duck tape (rated waterproof) that I can use to line it at least temporarily. Thanks for your input so far!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Alright, I've got a shower curtain and some duck tape (rated waterproof) that I can use to line it at least temporarily. Thanks for your input so far!

You are always welcome! Please, post an update on final vivarium setup and how your tortoise is settling in

If you'd like to we can make a run down of equipment, husbandry and such, so you have everything set up before your tortoise arrives.

 

[RaspberrySam]

You are always welcome! Please, post an update on final vivarium setup and how your tortoise is settling in

If you'd like to we can make a run down of equipment, husbandry and such, so you have everything set up before your tortoise arrives.

Thank you :3
This has been planned for a very long time, so I *think* I have everything I need (heat, both UV types, humidity, a temp control system, etc) but once I've got it all up and running I will post again for appraisal by the experts.

 

[Tom]

Thank you :3
This has been planned for a very long time, so I *think* I have everything I need (heat, both UV types, humidity, a temp control system, etc) but once I've got it all up and running I will post again for appraisal by the experts.

Seal the seams and leave it wide open for at least two days. It takes 48 hours for silicone to fully cure.

You only need one type of UV bulb. Running more than one could be harmful in some cases, and there is only one type that is good nowadays.

You'll want everything set up and running, tested and adjusted where needed BEFORE the baby comes home. You don't want to be making adjustments while the baby is in there if you can help it.

Have you seen this thread yet? Lots of helpful info here:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Second what Tom says about the uv! As well as his threads hopefully you’ll find this indoor housing thread I made useful, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber for babies, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out! You don’t have to do the greenhouse idea in your case, the viv will work, but definitely use it to check your heating, lighting, substrates etc

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This one is also really good to familiarise yourself with, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying, pet stores and a lot of breeders will often recommend the wrong equipment, so definitely double check here!

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help! Welcome to the forum from a fellow uk member

 

[RaspberrySam]

Seal the seams and leave it wide open for at least two days. It takes 48 hours for silicone to fully cure.

You only need one type of UV bulb. Running more than one could be harmful in some cases, and there is only one type that is good nowadays.

You'll want everything set up and running, tested and adjusted where needed BEFORE the baby comes home. You don't want to be making adjustments while the baby is in there if you can help it.

Have you seen this thread yet? Lots of helpful info here:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

It's an honour, your posts have been a great help to me!

Build will be finished and tested well before the tort comes back, rest assured. As to the multiple bulbs; I was under the impression that a suitable enclosure would require both UVA and UVB, and have heard from multiple sources that it's better to have separate bulbs for both as the dual-bulbs have been known to be lacking. Am I wrong in this?

For reference, I have an Arcadia ProT5 UVB strip (24w, 12% UVB) and an Exo-Terra daylight basking lamp (75w, UVA). I also have a CHE for heat in the same twin holder as the UVA bulb, if that matters any.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It's an honour, your posts have been a great help to me!

Build will be finished and tested well before the tort comes back, rest assured. As to the multiple bulbs; I was under the impression that a suitable enclosure would require both UVA and UVB, and have heard from multiple sources that it's better to have separate bulbs for both as the dual-bulbs have been known to be lacking. Am I wrong in this?

For reference, I have an Arcadia ProT5 UVB strip (24w, 12% UVB) and an Exo-Terra daylight basking lamp (75w, UVA). I also have a CHE for heat in the same twin holder as the UVA bulb, if that matters any.

That’s fine yes! I think there was confusion because you said both types of uvb, Tom probably thought you meant you have a screw in uv bulb(which aren’t the safest for multiple reasons)as well as the tube uv, the lighting you have sounds fine!
Only thing I’d probably say is the twin fixtures aren’t great because ideally you need to have your CHE in the middle separate from the basking, this is so the ceramic can help warm up the cooler end in the event the basking isn’t enough during the day, if they’re together, the thermostat won’t kick the ceramic on because of the basking lights heat.
I’d also think about some ambient lighting that will run on the same timer as your basking

 

[RaspberrySam]

That’s fine yes! I think there was confusion because you said both types of uvb, Tom probably thought you meant you have a screw in uv bulb(which aren’t the safest for multiple reasons)as well as the tube uv, the lighting you have sounds fine!
Only thing I’d probably say is the twin fixtures aren’t great because ideally you need to have your CHE in the middle separate from the basking, this is so the ceramic can help warm up the cooler end in the event the basking isn’t enough during the day, if they’re together, the thermostat won’t kick the ceramic on because of the basking lights heat.
I’d also think about some ambient lighting that will run on the same timer as your basking

So having both the UVA *and* UVB bulbs in the viv won't be a problem? I admit to being slightly confused. Plus the fact that the Exo-Terra *is* a screw-in bulb...

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

So having both the UVA *and* UVB bulbs in the viv won't be a problem? I admit to being slightly confused. Plus the fact that the Exo-Terra *is* a screw-in bulb...

UVA light and UVB light are two different things, uva is visible to them and more about regulating their day and night cycle, feeding and activity levels. Whereas UVB is to do with synthesising vitamin d3. I know it can get a little confusing because of all the different labelling
All basking uva bulbs will be a screw in. Screw in UVB bulbs are to be avoided like mercury vapours or coils. Hope this helps clear some of the confusion!

 

[RaspberrySam]

UVA light and UVB light are two different things, uva is visible to them and more about regulating their day and night cycle, feeding and activity levels. Whereas UVB is to do with synthesising vitamin d3. I know it can get a little confusing because of all the different labelling
All basking uva bulbs will be a screw in. Screw in UVB bulbs are to be avoided like mercury vapours or coils. Hope this helps clear some of the confusion!

Oh, excellent. I was concerned for a minute that I'd messed up before I'd even gotten the tortoise in (though, of course, that is kinda the point of getting it all ready well beforehand, lol).

I'll see about getting a separate holder for the CHE. Should be plenty easy to get one that I can screw to the vivarium roof in order to allow for more balanced heating. Thank you for the tips so far!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh, excellent. I was concerned for a minute that I'd messed up before I'd even gotten the tortoise in (though, of course, that is kinda the point of getting it all ready well beforehand, lol).

I'll see about getting a separate holder for the CHE. Should be plenty easy to get one that I can screw to the vivarium roof in order to allow for more balanced heating. Thank you for the tips so far!

No problem at all! Yeah it’s always best getting everything up and running before bring the new baby home, that way you can make any tweaks you need to get all your levels where they need to be, it’s great seeing folks get well prepared, look forward to seeing the enclosure! If you ever have any further questions, not matter how small, you can always hop on here to ask

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

So having both the UVA *and* UVB bulbs in the viv won't be a problem? I admit to being slightly confused. Plus the fact that the Exo-Terra *is* a screw-in bulb...

Any UVB lamp outputs UVA as well: Arcadia T5 tubes have around 30% of their output as UVA, 6/12/14% - UVB and the rest is visible light and very little IR.
Basking lamps have mostly IR and visible light output. Amount of UVA is neglible and is a pure marketing thing.

"better to have separate bulbs for both as the dual-bulbs have been known to be lacking" - this usually applies to UVB and heat lamps, it's better to have separate sources so you can adjust them independently.

You can add bright LED lamp to your double fixture to make basking area brightly lit and thus more attractive. Basking lamp and UVB tube should be positioned close to each other to light the same area.

Depending on viv size and room temperature, 75W lamp can be too powerful (you can get a 50W for backup or a simple lamp dimmer). The CHE must be put on a thermostat.

 

[RaspberrySam]

Any UVB lamp outputs UVA as well: Arcadia T5 tubes have around 30% of their output as UVA, 6/12/14% - UVB and the rest is visible light and very little IR.
Basking lamps have mostly IR and visible light output. Amount of UVA is neglible and is a pure marketing thing.

"better to have separate bulbs for both as the dual-bulbs have been known to be lacking" - this usually applies to UVB and heat lamps, it's better to have separate sources so you can adjust them independently.

You can add bright LED lamp to your double fixture to make basking area brightly lit and thus more attractive. Basking lamp and UVB tube should be positioned close to each other to light the same area.

Depending on viv size and room temperature, 75W lamp can be too powerful (you can get a 50W for backup or a simple lamp dimmer). The CHE must be put on a thermostat.

So the bulbs I have will be sufficient? The thermostat I have also functions as a dimmer, so I assume that using it to lower the light output of the Arcadia a fraction will be sufficient to keep tort healthy.

And yes, the CHE is also going through the thermostat to ensure proper temp regulation.

I'll definitely look at adding an LED bulb alongside the basking bulb, thanks for the tip.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

So the bulbs I have will be sufficient? The thermostat I have also functions as a dimmer, so I assume that using it to lower the light output of the Arcadia a fraction will be sufficient to keep tort healthy.

And yes, the CHE is also going through the thermostat to ensure proper temp regulation.

I'll definitely look at adding an LED bulb alongside the basking bulb, thanks for the tip.

Yes, the lamps are good.
1. Don't put Arcadia UVB tube on a thermostat or dimmer. Only on timer.
2. You may need to dim the basking lamp (ExoTerra Daylight). A test run will show if any adjustments are needed. In my 4x2 ft. vivariums 75W lamp rises ambient temperature too high - I have to use 50W lamp instead (but we still have room temperatures in 25-27C during the day).

 

[RaspberrySam]

Yes, the lamps are good.
1. Don't put Arcadia UVB tube on a thermostat or dimmer. Only on timer.
2. You may need to dim the basking lamp (ExoTerra Daylight). A test run will show if any adjustments are needed. In my 4x2 ft. vivariums 75W lamp rises ambient temperature too high - I have to use 50W lamp instead (but we still have room temperatures in 25-27C during the day).

Oh hell, I just realised my error in getting the bulbs mixed up! Yeah, I'll make sure to do that if I find the temps go too high; given that the tort is downstairs and how heat tends to rise in our house, it may be OK, but I'll not risk it unless absolutely sure.

You guys are a goldmine of advice. I regret not joining the Forum sooner. Thanks!