Enclosure advice please

Sammio

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Jun 18, 2018
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Hi all!

I’ve just joined this site and need advise as I read so much different stuff on what you should do and you guys seem to be very knowledgeable.

I don’t have a tort yet, hopefully in the next 2-3 months when I’ve got a new place to live. I have decided on making my own enclosure which will be 4ft x 2ft to start with. So if you don’t mind, could you answer me the following questions? I would really appreciate it!

Do you guys recommend using a combination bulb for the light and heat? If so what about the other end of the enclosure if this is cool?

Do you need there to be heat all the time or can things be turned off at night?

What can I use that is safe to treat the wood? I am in the UK and America seems to have so many more diy shops than here!

Do you use a silicon to seal the joins of the wood? If so what would you use?

Does it matter if you get a male or a female or so they both have the same temperament?


I’ve read so many different things and I’m so confused. I want to make sure things are perfect before I get him/her. I’m so sorry for the million questions!

Many thanks
Sam
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Sam, and welcome to the Forum!

I'm sorry, but 4'x2' isn't nearly big enough for a Russian tortoise (unless you're getting a hatchling???).

I defer to other more knowledgeable members to answer your other questions.
 

Sammio

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Jun 18, 2018
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South Yorkshire,UK
Hi Yvonne,

Many thanks. Yes it will be a hatchling. I was planning on building a new one in a couple of years. Maybe to a 2 level enclosure if this is recommended.
 

daniellenc

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Hi all!

I’ve just joined this site and need advise as I read so much different stuff on what you should do and you guys seem to be very knowledgeable.

I don’t have a tort yet, hopefully in the next 2-3 months when I’ve got a new place to live. I have decided on making my own enclosure which will be 4ft x 2ft to start with. So if you don’t mind, could you answer me the following questions? I would really appreciate it!

Do you guys recommend using a combination bulb for the light and heat? If so what about the other end of the enclosure if this is cool?

Do you need there to be heat all the time or can things be turned off at night?

What can I use that is safe to treat the wood? I am in the UK and America seems to have so many more diy shops than here!

Do you use a silicon to seal the joins of the wood? If so what would you use?

Does it matter if you get a male or a female or so they both have the same temperament?


I’ve read so many different things and I’m so confused. I want to make sure things are perfect before I get him/her. I’m so sorry for the million questions!

Many thanks
Sam
There are really in depth pinned threads in the enclosure forum with step by step advice on all sorts of enclosures whether wood, PVC, open or closed chamber, and lighting. I would start there for ideas.
 

teresaf

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Closed chamber is the way to go for the babies...it's easier to maintain heat and humidity...stay away from button(dial) type thermometer/hygrometers. Digital is the way to go. Only get one baby or just be prepared to house however many you get separately. A ceramic heat emitter is the best thing for night time heat. Basking bulb(no coil bulbs) may be sufficient to heat whole enclosure since it's closed off. Never let the deepest darkest spot in enclosure be less than 80. Your tortoise will invariably find that spot to sleep in and become sick. High humidity needs high heat or he'll get respiratory infection. Hope this helps!
 

Loni

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Jun 13, 2018
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Maple Ridge, BC Canada
Hi all!

I’ve just joined this site and need advise as I read so much different stuff on what you should do and you guys seem to be very knowledgeable.

I don’t have a tort yet, hopefully in the next 2-3 months when I’ve got a new place to live. I have decided on making my own enclosure which will be 4ft x 2ft to start with. So if you don’t mind, could you answer me the following questions? I would really appreciate it!

Do you guys recommend using a combination bulb for the light and heat? If so what about the other end of the enclosure if this is cool?

Do you need there to be heat all the time or can things be turned off at night?

What can I use that is safe to treat the wood? I am in the UK and America seems to have so many more diy shops than here!

Do you use a silicon to seal the joins of the wood? If so what would you use?

Does it matter if you get a male or a female or so they both have the same temperament?


I’ve read so many different things and I’m so confused. I want to make sure things are perfect before I get him/her. I’m so sorry for the million questions!

Many thanks
Sam

I was going to use what the tree frog people use in their enclosures but further investigation had some disturbing comments about it reacting to heat. Doesn't mention the temperature so I chickened out. I found greenhouse plastic on Amazon.ca that comes 10 feet wide and various lengths 20 feet and up and different thicknesses so I am going to go that route as a water proof liner in my 4 x 8 enclosure.
 

katieandiggy

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Hi welcome, I have a young Russian. No idea how old but I got him when he was 50g.He is tiny!! He’s currently in a closed chamber measuring around 3ft by 2ft which is big enough at this age. I will of course be upgrading as it grows.


You can use a combination bulb. I prefer the UVB on a strip light but many people use the MVB successfully. I use a separate basking bulb and a strip light the stretches across most of my enclosure.

Now there is divided opinion over this but providing your house does not drop below around 65f at night, you will not need any night time heat. Russians benefit from a drop in temperature overnight this was also recommended by @Tom and @GBtortoises who are both experienced members of this site.
I have never provided night heat, but in the winter I will invest in a CHE and set it not to drop below 65f.

You can line a table with pond liner or something similar.

I’m in the U.K. too [emoji112]
 

teresaf

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I've never heard @Tom endorse less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit for babies... Russian or otherwise. High humidity and such a low heat will get them sick for sure. Perhaps yours is doing alright(not sick yet anyway)because your not keeping the humidity up very high and you're getting lucky? I like everything else about your setup but temps make me nervous for you. Many babies survive that temp but don't really thrive....and alot die.
 

Tom

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I've never heard @Tom endorse less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit for babies... Russian or otherwise. High humidity and such a low heat will get them sick for sure. Perhaps yours is doing alright(not sick yet anyway)because your not keeping the humidity up very high and you're getting lucky? I like everything else about your setup but temps make me nervous for you. Many babies survive that temp but don't really thrive....and alot die.
65 at night is fine for baby russians and other Testudo that come from temperate climates. I don't know where the 80 degree thing was started for anything other than tropical species like sulcatas and stars. Its been a persistent myth though...
 

teresaf

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65 at night is fine for baby russians and other Testudo that come from temperate climates. I don't know where the 80 degree thing was started for anything other than tropical species like sulcatas and stars. Its been a persistent myth though...
Huh, ....ok. now I know
 

Sammio

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Jun 18, 2018
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South Yorkshire,UK
Thanks everyone for responses.

I do apologise about not looking in the enclosure section I didn’t scroll down on my phone enough and missed all the pinned sections!

I think I’m going to go down the route of having a basking bulb and a separate strip light for uvb. Can I check that this does not need a filter or anything and that the light won’t hurt the torts eyes with it being on the side and not from above like the basking bulb?
 

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