Advice on what type of enclosure is better

[Augustus1508]

I have a mediterranean spur thighed tortoise - almost 2 years old, and im just wanting advice on what sort of set up would be best for him as im getting mixed advice.

We currently have him in a 4ft vivarium but hoping to upgrade to an 8ft x 2ft

He currently has an arcadia t5 uvb 10-12% with a flood/spotlight bulb (cant remember which one it is but its either of those)

Im also based in the UK (if this is any use for the advice I may recieve)

We previously were looking into a tortoise table but unsure if we'd have the sufficient amount of space as didnt know if they required more width and when researching tables/raised garden beds everything was super expensive!

Any advice would be absolutely appreciated!

 

[COmtnLady]

Have you had a chance to read this yet? It will answer some of your questions and we can continue from there.

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

One quick comment, please don't be scared away ~
The 2X8 will be outgrown quickly (in reality it already is too small for a two year old). Go larger.
Let's brainstorm with other members here and figure out the best thing to do.



Here are a couple threads (created by a member from the UK) that might be fun to look through. I'm pretty sure that you and she have corresponded earlier in your time here.

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

,

 

[Augustus1508]

Have you had a chance to read this yet? It will answer some of your questions and we can continue from there.

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

One quick comment, please don't be scared away ~
The 2X8 will be outgrown quickly (in reality it already is too small for a two year old). Go larger.
Let's brainstorm with other members here and figure out the best thing to do.



Here are a couple threads (created by a member from the UK) that might be fun to look through. I'm pretty sure that you and she have corresponded earlier in your time here.

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

,

Ah thank you for these links, I will go through them.

I was told an 8ft x 4ft would be okay for a short while, were currently limited with space thats the only issue I have here

 

[Tom]

I have a mediterranean spur thighed tortoise - almost 2 years old, and im just wanting advice on what sort of set up would be best for him as im getting mixed advice.

We currently have him in a 4ft vivarium but hoping to upgrade to an 8ft x 2ft

He currently has an arcadia t5 uvb 10-12% with a flood/spotlight bulb (cant remember which one it is but its either of those)

Im also based in the UK (if this is any use for the advice I may recieve)

We previously were looking into a tortoise table but unsure if we'd have the sufficient amount of space as didnt know if they required more width and when researching tables/raised garden beds everything was super expensive!

Any advice would be absolutely appreciated!

An 8x4 foot is the minimum I'd recommend for an adult greek tortoise. This works best if they also have a large outdoor enclosure to roam, graze, and explore in warmer weather.

Here is the difference between a table and the viv in concept: A table is wide open and the temperature and humidity in the table will be whatever the room temperature and humidity is because the air mixes freely. You will also need larger, higher wattage bulbs to make heated areas, and most of the electricity used for that will be heating up the whole room because heat rises. If you have a relatively warm humid room, then an open table can work. For anyone who doesn't have a warm humid room, containing your heat and humidity, and using smaller, lower wattage bulbs makes much more sense. Heat the enclosure, not the entire room.

In practice, vivs are more stable, more efficient, and deliver better results and healthier tortoises in my experience. I've tried both methods and many variations over many years with many species. I now exclusively use closed chambers until my tortoises grow too big to live inside anymore, at which point I move them outside full time in my warm sunny climate here.

There is a company in the UK called Southdown Aquatics that makes reasonably priced, and very nice looking large vivariums.

If you decide to go with an open table, be prepared to have multiple basking areas and burn through much more electricity to maintain the correct temperatures.

 

[Augustus1508]

An 8x4 foot is the minimum I'd recommend for an adult greek tortoise. This works best if they also have a large outdoor enclosure to roam, graze, and explore in warmer weather.

Here is the difference between a table and the viv in concept: A table is wide open and the temperature and humidity in the table will be whatever the room temperature and humidity is because the air mixes freely. You will also need larger, higher wattage bulbs to make heated areas, and most of the electricity used for that will be heating up the whole room because heat rises. If you have a relatively warm humid room, then an open table can work. For anyone who doesn't have a warm humid room, containing your heat and humidity, and using smaller, lower wattage bulbs makes much more sense. Heat the enclosure, not the entire room.

In practice, vivs are more stable, more efficient, and deliver better results and healthier tortoises in my experience. I've tried both methods and many variations over many years with many species. I now exclusively use closed chambers until my tortoises grow too big to live inside anymore, at which point I move them outside full time in my warm sunny climate here.

There is a company in the UK called Southdown Aquatics that makes reasonably priced, and very nice looking large vivariums.

If you decide to go with an open table, be prepared to have multiple basking areas and burn through much more electricity to maintain the correct temperatures.

Thank you for this! How will I know when my tort is too big to be indoors? We have an indoors currently and he roams the garden supervised as we're in the process of building a safe place for him out there as id rather him get natural uv and heat.

We dont ideally want to brumate him either as I know there's risks present and we dont feel comfortable with that. So we'll be "overwintering" him in the winter which he seemed to thrive in last year!

I may just stick with the 8ft viv then as it seems to just be the better option all around

 

[Tom]

Thank you for this! How will I know when my tort is too big to be indoors? We have an indoors currently and he roams the garden supervised as we're in the process of building a safe place for him out there as id rather him get natural uv and heat.

We dont ideally want to brumate him either as I know there's risks present and we dont feel comfortable with that. So we'll be "overwintering" him in the winter which he seemed to thrive in last year!

I may just stick with the 8ft viv then as it seems to just be the better option all around

You will always be able to keep yours indoors. I keep species that get too big for any indoor enclosure. My climate makes this easy for me.

Don't be afraid of brumation. It's natural and it's better for them. It is only risky and dangerous when done incorrectly. When done correctly it is no more risky than keeping them up all winter. You don't "have" to do it, but in my experience it is better for them if you do it for species that would naturally do it in the wild.

Tom's Brumation Thread

Every fall we get bombarded here on the forum with all sorts of questions and problems regarding hibernation and tortoises "slowing down" for winter. The purpose of this thread is to talk about all aspects of this subject, to dispel some of the myths and mysteries, and give a "how to" list of...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Augustus1508]

You will always be able to keep yours indoors. I keep species that get too big for any indoor enclosure. My climate makes this easy for me.

Don't be afraid of brumation. It's natural and it's better for them. It is only risky and dangerous when done incorrectly. When done correctly it is no more risky than keeping them up all winter. You don't "have" to do it, but in my experience it is better for them if you do it for species that would naturally do it in the wild.

Tom's Brumation Thread

Every fall we get bombarded here on the forum with all sorts of questions and problems regarding hibernation and tortoises "slowing down" for winter. The purpose of this thread is to talk about all aspects of this subject, to dispel some of the myths and mysteries, and give a "how to" list of...

tortoiseforum.org

Oh perfect! Im glad to hear I can keep mine indoors, like I said he does have supervised outdoors time too and seems to prefer it that way. Thank you for this!