New home for the torts

kaycov

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I have 2 redfoots, and they are currently in a large tank with heat and UVB lights and a fogger. I think they are getting too big for that tank which looked huge when I got them over a year ago. I just ordered a pool - 48" in diameter - for them. I'll be putting that in the sun room. I have a ton of questions, of course, but my main concern is humidity. Do I still need to cover the pen? What can I use to cover it so I can still see them, and for them to get sunlight so they are not living in a dungeon? Can I position the fogger hose to make it moist in their hides only? What other concerns should I have? I know they will appreciate the larger enclosure which is a foot longer and 2 1/2 feet wider than the tank. I'm very excited to put this all up for them. I just don't want to make any mistakes. Thanks
 

Relic

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"Round" introduces a bit more difficulty in enclosing the pen. Square/rectangular makes it easier to use hinges for lids, plastic greenhouses for tops, etc. Right now I would be trying to get an outdoor enclosure set-up for them, if possible, for the summer months. Then you would have the whole summer to work on something to house them for the ensuing winter. Right now I'm bouncing my guy outside during the day and back inside at night. It's nice to have both as options...
 

kaycov

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Yes, I've started drawing up plans for a nice, big outdoor enclosure for them, but I feel badly for them in that tank. They seem to spend 90% of their time in their hides, and when they do come out, it looks like three or four steps takes them from one side of the tank to the other. LOL The pool is one of those soft-sided ones that comes folded and can be positioned into just about any shape you like - rectangular, square, triangular, etc. I should have made that clear before. I also have a dog ex-pen (pvc material) that will go around the pool so the dogs can't get too close to the torts, and they cannot get out of their area. But will they still have the same humidity needs now that they had as hatchlings? Their shells are so nice and smooth - I don't want to do anything to change that.
 

Yvonne G

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Yeah, what Jacqui said!

Also, if you place several plants around inside the pool, but not close to the edges, that will help with the humidity. . . that and keeping the underneath layer of substrate moist.
 

kaycov

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Less humidity? Okay, thanks. I have the hose positioned to come down behind the hides which keeps the humidity in the hides at nearly 90%, and surprisingly, the rest of the pen is at 70%. I think that's because I leave the screen door opened to outside, and this being SC, it's VERY humid at this time of year which keeps the room at that level. So far, so good, an they seem to be very happy in that pen and are actually even eating better. Thanks, again.

59337365_391128711732396_6203111022392246272_o.jpg
 

kaycov

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Yvonne, yes, I'll do that with plants. I'm sure they'll love all the new hiding places. They are also still getting their nightly soaks as well. Thanks.
 

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