Indian stars enclosure

I've recently switched my 5 juvenile Indian stars (5-6cm; 55-90 g) from a 200x60 cm enclosure to an 120x60cm enclosure, to make room for 2 Aldabras that I'll be receiving soon. I always had the feeling that they were only using half of the larger enclosure. I intend to move them back to the bigger enclosure when the aldabras outgrow the 200cm one, which shouldn't take long.

Temperatures vary between 26 and 35°C (directly under the light). I've decided to place the water bowl almost directly below the MVB, to ensure high humidity, which hopefully counteracts some of the negative effects associated with the MVB bulbs. The humidity is 80-100%, depending on where I'm placing the sensors.

The reasons I'm using the MVB bulbs for now are:
A) I've got them and they weren't exactly cheap
B) I really don't know what alternative UVB bulb I can use that fits in an E27 light fitting

It's been about 4 days since I moved them in and I've noticed that they're all picking different moist hiding spots. They prefer to bask in the back left corner, near the plant and waterdish. The grass in the right back corner has a 'cave' that they're also using as a hide. I can also tell that they're using the water dish as their preferred pooping spot, even though I'm soaking daily.

Feedback is welcome!

1. Mercury vapor bulbs can be too hot and bright for tortoises. The intense projection of heat is similar to a halogen bulb, a bulb people rarely ever recommend for basking. Some people have also claimed that mercury vapor bulbs can cause pyramiding regardless of what the humidity level in the enclosure is and or how many soaks are given each week.

I'm definitely not an expert on Aldabra tortoises. From what I've read, many Aldabra owners use care quite similar to Sulcatas which is what I'm basing my advice on. I suggest using incandescent flood bulbs and ceramic heat emitters or reptile basic heating panels inside that enclosure to keep those Aldabras hot and humid.

2. What type of coiled bulbs are those? Compact florescent UV(B) bulbs can cause severe eye issues in tortoises.

Linear florescent UV(B) reptile rated bulbs are what you should use. Arcadia T5 HO 12% 3 ft bulb is a good choice for an indoor UV(B) bulb.

Secure the fixture in your enclosure by using either adhesive heat resistant peel and loop tape, screws and or zip ties.

3. I personally think the enclosure looks quite crowded and cluttered. I don't really see a dedicated path through the entire enclosure. Some obstacles can be good but too many can possibly cause flip overs and long term cosmetic shell damage through rubbing and scraping, especially in enclosures where groups of tortoises are being housed.

1 & 2. Yeah I'll bite the bullet and purchase some Zoo med ReptiSun 10.0 compact fluorescent 26W bulbs.
3. I guess the perspective makes it look quite bad. The back is quite a bit higher than the front, so the log is a slight ramp holding back the soil. It's really only the left most part of the log that forms an obstacle, and they can go below it.

Eredant said:

1 & 2. Yeah I'll bite the bullet and purchase some Zoo med ReptiSun 10.0 compact fluorescent 26W bulbs.
3. I guess the perspective makes it look quite bad. The back is quite a bit higher than the front, so the log is a slight ramp holding back the soil. It's really only the left most part of the log that forms an obstacle, and they can go below it.

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1/2. No. Those Zoomed Reptisun compact florescent bulbs are also among the types of compact florescent bulbs that can cause eye issues in tortoises. I wouldn't risk it.

Linear florescent fixture and UV(B) reptile rated bulbs are the current safest option that I know of for indoor UV(B) lighting.

3. I hope it is high enough to where their your tortoise's shell will not get snagged on it even when they grow older.

I would get rid of the logs and get (fake) plants instead. One of my new Star Tortoise sibblings died because he got trapped under such a log, I was told.
And I too think it is to crowded in there. I also would get a bigger foodplate for 5 Tortoises. Now the food can get on the substrate easily and you don't want them to eat the substrate with the food.
I end up getting a uvb tube instead of the zoomed Reptisun bulbs. It did cost me, but better in the long run. Better for my Tortoises. *glimlach*
Love your 5 little Stars!! I have two now, in seperate enclosures of course. Hope to make a group also. Happy Torting!!

May I ask where you got your Stars? I just saw you are from Belgium. Thank you!!

Minority2 said:

1/2. No. Those Zoomed Reptisun compact florescent bulbs are also among the types of compact florescent bulbs that can cause eye issues in tortoises. I wouldn't risk it.

Linear florescent fixture and UV(B) reptile rated bulbs are the current safest option that I know of for indoor UV(B) lighting.

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Oh, thanks for the warning. @wellington in the other thread said "The tube flourescents are not the problem it's the coiled ones that are the cause of eye problems.", so I presumed that it was only the twisty coiled ones and not the more linear ones like the Zoomed Reptisun compact florescent bulbs.

I do have those long linear ones hanging in the Aldabra enclosure, however I'm really disappointed with the UVB output of those T8 bulbs, especially when compared with the MVB.

*debora* said:

May I ask where you got your Stars? I just saw you are from Belgium. Thank you!!

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I got them from this seller: https://www.trionyx.nl/vraag-aanbod/3-aangeboden/153-geochelone-elegans

Eredant said:

Oh, thanks for the warning. @wellington in the other thread said "The tube flourescents are not the problem it's the coiled ones that are the cause of eye problems.", so I presumed that it was only the twisty coiled ones and not the more linear ones like the Zoomed Reptisun compact florescent bulbs.

I do have those long linear ones hanging in the Aldabra enclosure, however I'm really disappointed with the UVB output of those T8 bulbs, especially when compared with the MVB.

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Replace your T8 fixtures with T5s. T5 linear florescent UV(B) bulbs produces a small amount of heat, are brighter, and are longer lasting than T8s. The T5 HO Arcadia 12% linear florescent UV(B) bulbs produce a much larger amount of UV(B) rays than ZooMed Reptisun's T5 10.0.

@Minority2 Thanks, I had been under the impression that these were outrageously expensive (like 180€ for a fixture + light), but upon further research that seems to have been a rip-off.

Eredant said:

@Minority2 Thanks, I had been under the impression that these were outrageously expensive (like 180€ for a fixture + light), but upon further research that seems to have been a rip-off.

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Pet branded equipment usually tends to be a bit overpriced. This is especially true in other countries where availability and demand may cause prices to skyrocket even for shoddy equipment.

Affordable and well built T5 linear florescent fixtures can be bought online, in hardware, and hydroponic stores. Gardening centers may also have some grow fixtures in stock.

Eredant said:

Oh, thanks for the warning. @wellington in the other thread said "The tube flourescents are not the problem it's the coiled ones that are the cause of eye problems.", so I presumed that it was only the twisty coiled ones and not the more linear ones like the Zoomed Reptisun compact florescent bulbs.

I do have those long linear ones hanging in the Aldabra enclosure, however I'm really disappointed with the UVB output of those T8 bulbs, especially when compared with the MVB.

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Sorry, all coiled cfl can be bad for the eyes. Most know them by coiled bulbs.