Recent content by Markw84

I would recommend getting the Arcadia fixture to go with the tube. In my testing, there is a big difference in the UVB levels depending upon the fixture used. The quality, surface and shape of the reflector makes a big difference.

I build mine raised high enough to have a 3" bottom drain to quickly drain the pond, wash down and refill. No way around the algae, especially if it is a concrete pond like mine. I don't worry about the algae other than keeping in mind it gets slippery! I drain and refill about once a week...

@Luckie Turtle Man Have you read this thread? I think it is the most straight-forward approach on how to build a PVC enclosure for someone who is intent on doing it themself... https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/building-your-own-expanded-pvc-enclosed-chamber-%E2%80%93-for-beginners.159220/

I personally have not seen a two-tiered enclosure design I like. Somehow, I cannot get over the feeling that the 8 feet of uninterrupted straight-line space is very important to give the tortoise room for proper movement. I just doesn't seem constant turns, stopping, etc is the same. Kind of...

One more consideration... After many, many iterations of enclosures I've built over the years, I have found that a 24 " height is not adequate to give the proper basking zone needed for tortoises and also keep the lights and wiring a bit more hidden and out of view. I now make all my...

@Luckie Turtle Man Home Depot carries PVC sheets in their New York stores. They do not carry it in any of their stores in the Western US. You will find it easier than wood to work with. You can email me about my Smart Enclosures if you wish. I do feel you will find them out of the price...

Yesterday we had some visitors over to see our Galapagos tortoises. Brenda and my place here is officially called Rancho Tortuga, Inc. now - and we are a 501c3 public benefit non-profit. The day before - we had the representative for the local school district tour our facility to approve and...

I do keep a tub or two of water in the incubator to keep the humidity up in the incubator itself. That also keeps the egg containers from drying out as quickly.

I mix the vermiculite and peat most thoroughly into a uniform medium. I add water (when I used to measure) in equal weight to the mixture. If I have 300g of vermiculite/peat I added 300 g of water. I add the peat moss as I believe the vermiculite is too high a pH for the developing egg. A...

There are lots of folks using the SIM incubation technique. I feel it is more popular with other reptiles, but has become used by many tortoise breeders now. The benefit was to eliminate problems with too wet or too dry, mold, egg suffocating, high visibility to monitor eggs, and keeping the...

Both @Tom and I sell Burmese Stars for $600 ea and discount 3 or more.

The one on right is definitely not a yellow belly. Can't see any carapace markings, but from head and neck it does look like a peninsula cooter.

Great to hear! Pictures of how the pattern is developing would be fun to see. I love watching how radiated develop their beautiful shell patterns as they grow.

Last night on owl watch, Brenda and I saw the babies out of the nest box for the first time - at least 2 of them. It was getting pretty dark - 9:10 PM - so pictures not the best. You can see one of the parents came back and looks like is giving a rodent to one of the babies that came out of...

My grandson and I also put up 4 bluebird nest boxes. Here's one in the large Galapagos pen on the Mulberry Tree. I checked the end of April and did have a clutch of eggs in it. Should be ready to fledge as well.