Tortoise peeing alot seethrough liquid, exactly like water, is it normal?

bouaboua

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It is nothing wrong with clear pee. I always keep all my torts well hydrated. Some torts may produce pee with color (mostly yellow) some just clear like water like my hermanni.
 

D3sirable

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Your enclosure is WAYYYYY too small. I recommend a MINIMUM of 122 x 244cm (4x8' for us "behind the curve" Americans...). This is one reason for his behavior. Russians sometimes walk miles a day in the wild, so they need and benefit from relatively large enclosures.

I only replace my substrate when a new animal is going to be living in that enclosure. I spot clean as needed and remove any leftover food or feces right away. My tortoises seldom poop indoors because I soak them regularly and they defecate in their soaking water. I have used the same substrate for several years in some cases.

Still, there is no harm in replacing the substrate every day if you want to. Your tortoise will get used to whatever routine you choose to follow.
Thanks for your advice. I spent 330$ on this "Exo-Terra Glass Terrarium Large - Low 36" L X 18" W X 12" H " It looks like this:
015561226110C.jpg
Everything is double expensive in Sweden it seems. But I guess I must get something bigger and use this one for something else in the future.

I just tried to go outside and picked some clover, dandalion, and surprisingly my tortoise really loves it, he instantly starts eating and eats alot!! Wow, more than what he did to the vegetables I gave to him. So theres not going to be any problems for him to "adjust".

As you said you soak them regularly, is it safe to soak them everyday in luke warm water? This way they can pee and poo inside water and terrarium can be clear.
 

D3sirable

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It is a good thing he is active. Don't worry. I just change my substrate about twice a year and I pick out the yucky stuff daily. You don't even have to "change it" that much just top it up on top. But you do have to change it at LEAST once a year. Remember a bigger tort table/tank is ALWAYS Better. Do you take him outside regularly? Does he get enough UVB and can he see over the top of his cage walls because that might be what is causing him to try and get out. Good luck.
Thanks alot for your reply!

Its very cold in Sweden so right now I cant take him out regularly. I bought him just a week ago when its starting to get cold here. Some days when its 90 degrees outside I take him out for 2-3 hours in my garden.

I use a basking spot infrared heat lamp (Exo terra infrared basking spot max heat) and UV lamp (Repti Glo 10.0 UVB), uploaded pictures on them aswell. Is this enough?

PT2189_Repti_Glo_100_Compact_Set.jpg530-358.jpg

I also bought Exo terra Intense basking spot 100W, not sure if I should use this one instead of the Infrared one? I dont really know the difference, here is the picture:
ET_Intense_Daylight_100W_2.jpg
 

Tom

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No need to soak every day. Two or three times a week will be enough for a tortoise that age.

I would not use that coil bulb. This can burn their eyes. The long tube types or the mercury vapor bulbs are a much safer alternative.

I don't like infrared bulbs, especially for daytime use. You need white light.

I don't like the intense spot bulbs because they tend to run too hot and concentrate the carapace damaging heat in one place. All you need is a regular household flood bulb. I LE the 65 watt ones. Then adjust the height of the bulb to get the correct basking temperature under it.
 

D3sirable

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No need to soak every day. Two or three times a week will be enough for a tortoise that age.

I would not use that coil bulb. This can burn their eyes. The long tube types or the mercury vapor bulbs are a much safer alternative.

I don't like infrared bulbs, especially for daytime use. You need white light.

I don't like the intense spot bulbs because they tend to run too hot and concentrate the carapace damaging heat in one place. All you need is a regular household flood bulb. I LE the 65 watt ones. Then adjust the height of the bulb to get the correct basking temperature under it.
Oh my it seems like Im doing so many thing wrong.. Again thanks for your tips.

I will have to find the long tubes instead of coil bulb. How far up the tortoise should I put the coil bulb / lon tube / basking heat bulb? Im not sure if its too far down or too far up.. Sorry for so many questions, Im just trying to do everything right for my tortoise :)
 

Tom

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The coil bulb shouldn't be used. It should be returned to he store that sold it to you with an explanation of why, or trashed. Be aware that they will tell you that the eye problems were only with early models and the manufacturer has since fixed it. Not true. We see cases here all the time.

How high up you mount your UV tube depends on which one you get and what kind or reading your UV meter give you. I would start with what the manufacturer recommends and adjust as needed based on meter readings.

For any basking bulb, the height of the fixture will be determined by the temperature under it. You want a basking temp somewhere around 95-100. You'll have to run your chosen bulb, check the temps, and adjust as needed.
 
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