Is this normal

Cathie G

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I don’t have problems keeping the temps. I don’t do it daily but I spray the substrate and use a large plastic spoon to mix it so even the bottom is moist leaving a layer of dry on top to mist on a daily basis. I got the humidifier because getting the humidity up has been a issue. I got her substrate on amazon and it’s a combination of fiber and bark. I have her a hide on both ends since it’s a large aquarium. There are no drafts but the outside sides and back I insulated to make sure no drafts could make it in and I have fresh air screens on top. I know she needs the humidity. I did see where a woman got burned reaching across a warm air steam humidifier not the warm air mist. I know I have to do something and I have seen them adapted with the hose. Call me crazy but I’m going to use the warm mis with the hose but not in the tank. If I use a longer hose and mount it to the ceiling at a angle far end it wouldn’t be misting straight into the tank full force taking away the risk of high heat it might increase the humidity. I will test that without her in the aquarium. Another thought is increasing the humidity in the room by placing the humidifier on the counter beside her aquarium. Please let me explain the problem. We sold our house and moved to Arkansas to take care of my wife’s Mom who is 88 and not very good health. She doesn’t want anyone in her home but needs someone close by. We didn’t want to build a house because when the time comes this is not where we want to live. We bought a 36 foot travel trailer and fenced in the yard beside her moms house. They don’t tell you during winter you have to use dehumidifiers because windows and cabinets do like car windows children like to draw on. Your cabinets do the same. The slide outs have cold drafts and no she isn’t near slide outs. That’s another reason I insulated the back and on the sides of her aquarium to make sure no drafts come her way. We are looking into temporarily renting a house Even though when the time comes to move we didn’t want to have to worry about tying up loose ends before we left. I’m sorry it sounds like I’m telling my life story but to understand the problem of increasing humidity you have to know outside here aquarium a dehumidifier is running to try to prevent water running down the windows. I can keep it low forty without a humidifier but that’s not high enough
I'm hoping and praying that you, your family and tortoise are doing wonderfully. Do you still have to use the carrot soaks?
 

Lovechell69

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You said you have screens covering the aquarium. You will never get the humidity where it needs to be with screens. All the humidity will go right out the top. To keep humidity up in her enclosure, it has to be sealed. Try covering the top with foil to keep heat and humidity in. That’s what I do and it works.
Lol thank you. I put foil on half of it and it’s doing great on holding humidity for the whole tank. I also saw where Drew said when he first does his substrate he sets all of it and to keep it like a swamp and spread the walls and I mist the substrate. My temps are where you advised and my humidity is at 80/82. I love all of you. Amara is doing fantastic. She’s gaining the four grams she lost from being sick. Lol she comes to me again and she runs to the food bowl. I have baytril and you and Drew a huge thank you
 

Lovechell69

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I hope the humidifier works out. if not throw a shower curtain over it. That essentially turns your tank into a greenhouse.
Drew I do have a humidifier/mister coming but thanks to you I won’t be using it. I soaked all the substrate and let the temps raise to what they need a I spray the walls as well. The humidity is staying at 80/82 constant and thanks to you and Cheryl I have the right temps. She’s doing great. Thank you so much. I have a happy healthy baby and I couldn’t have done it without help. The baytril was only one part of fixing the problem. The rest I have to thank two people one being you for being patient understanding listening and giving me the right help for my baby
 

Lovechell69

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Great idea about the foil and shower curtain. I have to ask a question. I was told long ago the only stupid question is the one never asked. Okay here goes. Of screen covers aren’t good and you fully enclose how do they breathe? I know I am missing something obvious but yes its lost on me
 

Cheryl Hills

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Drew I do have a humidifier/mister coming but thanks to you I won’t be using it. I soaked all the substrate and let the temps raise to what they need a I spray the walls as well. The humidity is staying at 80/82 constant and thanks to you and Cheryl I have the right temps. She’s doing great. Thank you so much. I have a happy healthy baby and I couldn’t have done it without help. The baytril was only one part of fixing the problem. The rest I have to thank two people one being you for being patient understanding listening and giving me the right help for my baby
You are welcome. We all love torts. I am so happy she is doing better
 

drew54

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Great idea about the foil and shower curtain. I have to ask a question. I was told long ago the only stupid question is the one never asked. Okay here goes. Of screen covers aren’t good and you fully enclose how do they breathe? I know I am missing something obvious but yes its lost on me
It's not that screen covers are bad as they aren't. Screen covers allow too much air flow much like an open top tortoise table. This makes the temps a bit harder to control and nearly impossible to hold humidity. The air flow pushes the heat and humidity upwards and out escaping through the screen top. Screens tops also block uvb light. So, placing the light inside the enclosure is always advised.

They breath just fine. They get enough air circulation everytime you open it up to clean, feed, etc.
 

TammyJ

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It's not that screen covers are bad as they aren't. Screen covers allow too much air flow much like an open top tortoise table. This makes the temps a bit harder to control and nearly impossible to hold humidity. The air flow pushes the heat and humidity upwards and out escaping through the screen top. Screens tops also block uvb light. So, placing the light inside the enclosure is always advised.

They breath just fine. They get enough air circulation everytime you open it up to clean, feed, etc.
So it's OK for them to be completely covered BUT you should open it at least once per day? How long would it take for all the air to be "used up"? Suppose I was say going away for 2-3 days and leaving them covered with just enough food and water? Would I come back and find them dead? Just curious...and maybe stupid????o_O
 

Yvonne G

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No covered container is absolutely air tight, and tortoises have such slow, shallow respirations, they can go a long time on the air inside a closed chamber.
 

drew54

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So it's OK for them to be completely covered BUT you should open it at least once per day? How long would it take for all the air to be "used up"? Suppose I was say going away for 2-3 days and leaving them covered with just enough food and water? Would I come back and find them dead? Just curious...and maybe stupid????o_O

You should be opening it up once or twice a day for spot cleaning, replenishing food, cleaning and refilling the water dish, etc. I'm

I can't answer that, but I'm sure a few days isn't going to hurt them. If that's a concern then you could vent it while you're away by keeping it slightly open. But then you will have to adjust temps accordingly.

I tend to think of a closed chamber as an artificial burrow. The further you go the less air flow. Plus when torts are brumating in the fridge you keep them in a box or alike and they breathe the cool air.

They are pretty hardy creature that are built to handler such conditions.
 

daniellenc

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So it's OK for them to be completely covered BUT you should open it at least once per day? How long would it take for all the air to be "used up"? Suppose I was say going away for 2-3 days and leaving them covered with just enough food and water? Would I come back and find them dead? Just curious...and maybe stupid????o_O
I went on vacation for a week with my neighbor changing water/food once a day. Skurt was fine. As Yvonne said no cage is airtight so even without opening it air exchange occurs regardless.
 

Cathie G

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Carrot soaks are done. No more nasal flushes and she got her last injection. Thank you for your prayers
You are so welcome. Thanks for answering despite all you've been through. I learned a lot through your thread you started. So thank you more.
 
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