Advice on new enclosure set up

Augustus1508

Active Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2025
Messages
171
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Hello

Finally decided on a set up for my tort its going to be 8ft x 3ft (just while he grows into his adult body and then we'll adapt with this) its going to be a big change as hes going from a 3.77ft vivarium.

Ill keep the basics short and sweet:
Tortoise species: greek 2 years in August
Husbandry;
Lighting - arcadia t5 10% 39w/LEDS 5000-6500k (uvb on for about 5ish hours)
75w floodlight incandescent bulb (12 hours depending on uk weather)
CHE in winter when temps drop below 17/18
Substrate coco coir - orchid bark

Temps - (in celsiuis)
Cool; 23-25degrees dropping to about 20 at night
Middle; 25-29
Hot; 32.5-34

Now I have a couple of questions in regards to my set up which ill be getting in the next week or so;

Will my one uvb be enough to cover the amount of the viv when I do have it on?

Are there any accessories people recommend specifically for a greek? I do try and keep it to his natural environment and he does have slates/ceramic bowls etc

Is the substrate im currently using okay or does it need improvements?
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
68,660
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Hello

Finally decided on a set up for my tort its going to be 8ft x 3ft (just while he grows into his adult body and then we'll adapt with this) its going to be a big change as hes going from a 3.77ft vivarium.

Ill keep the basics short and sweet:
Tortoise species: greek 2 years in August
Husbandry;
Lighting - arcadia t5 10% 39w/LEDS 5000-6500k (uvb on for about 5ish hours)
75w floodlight incandescent bulb (12 hours depending on uk weather)
CHE in winter when temps drop below 17/18
Substrate coco coir - orchid bark

Temps - (in celsiuis)
Cool; 23-25degrees dropping to about 20 at night
Middle; 25-29
Hot; 32.5-34

Now I have a couple of questions in regards to my set up which ill be getting in the next week or so;

Will my one uvb be enough to cover the amount of the viv when I do have it on?

Are there any accessories people recommend specifically for a greek? I do try and keep it to his natural environment and he does have slates/ceramic bowls etc

Is the substrate im currently using okay or does it need improvements?
-Your current UV tube is all you need for the new enclosure.
-Nothing species specific. Sounds like you've got a good handle on things.
-Substrate choices are great. I would use one or the other, but no reason you can't use both.
 

Augustus1508

Active Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2025
Messages
171
Location (City and/or State)
UK
-Your current UV tube is all you need for the new enclosure.
-Nothing species specific. Sounds like you've got a good handle on things.
-Substrate choices are great. I would use one or the other, but no reason you can't use both.
Perfect, thank you so much! With the coco coir is all the different brands exactly the same or is one better than the other?
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
68,660
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Perfect, thank you so much! With the coco coir is all the different brands exactly the same or is one better than the other?
I do't know what brands are available over there. Over here we have dozens of brands and they are ever changing. Just be sure there is no fiber in it. You want just plain coir. Not "coco fiber". I'm talking about those long hair-like pieces. Don't want those fibers.
 

Augustus1508

Active Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2025
Messages
171
Location (City and/or State)
UK
I do't know what brands are available over there. Over here we have dozens of brands and they are ever changing. Just be sure there is no fiber in it. You want just plain coir. Not "coco fiber". I'm talking about those long hair-like pieces. Don't want those fibers.
Okay perfect! Ill do my research whilst we await his new enclosure!
 
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