heating and lighting

Hello everyone!! Super excited to finally be here. I’ve wanted to own a tortoise for quite some time now. My wife and I just bought our first home and I feel I can provide a tortoise with the environment/space that it needs and deserves. I live in South Georgia and I’m considering either a...

I've had a new house built for my Greek Spur-Thighed tort. It is identical to the one pictured (without the water damage), except with a beam across the apex of the roof to aid in installing lamps etc. It's this bit that I'm looking for advice on: I have a basking lamp, heat pad (which will be...

Im a new owner of 2 bay leopard tortoises. I have a 100w basking bulb and a Reptisun 10.0 UVB. I just removed it off its pole and placed directly on the cage as I don’t know how to get it warmer in there. I could use any help you can offer. We’re going out to get some sphagnum moss tonight.

Firstly, thank you in advance for reading my post, I know it's long! Just a bit of background before I ask my questions. My family has had our marginated girl, Nelly, for about 44 years and she was fully grown when they got her. She was given to my mum when she was a young child so Nelly is...

I have recently adopted an almost 3 year old female Sulcata Tortoise, and I feel that I am way in over my head here, either that or I am just overthinking things. My issue is figuring out lighting and heating and am hoping any Sulcata experts can come to my rescue! I currently have a exo-terra...

Hi everyone! My name is Kristin and I am new to this forum. I’ve been doing a lot of research and reading about how to care for leopard tortoises and in particular when they’re babies. I have an idea how I want her space set up but I need help on how to either build or find someone who can make...

Hey I guys I am new to this forum.. however I have always came here for info on my now 11 year old redfoot tortoise Loki. I live in the Northeast of the US where we have pretty cold winters (can get down to about 10 degrees at lowest) I have a 8 by 4 enclosure (stock tank from tractor supply)...

Hello! I have a 5 year old russian tortoise in need of an upgrade. would a 150cm x 60cm enclosure be big enough? we have limited space but i do want the best for him. I also need heating and lighting recommendations, i usually use a 12% tube and a heat emitter. Thank you!

I have researched so much and still am not 100% sure about lighting. We are getting a red foot hatchling next week, we will set it up in a temporary 20 gallon terrarium which is a 2x1x1 i think (yes it’s small but the breeder actually recommended this for a temporary enclosure) i know that i...

Hi, I use a double dome unit with 2 zoo med heat emitters in it. i have used this set up for years, and replace the heat emitters when burnt out or stop producing heat. the last 2 weeks, the unit is letting off a horrible toxic gasoline/burnt smell! it’s strong and filled my entire house with...

Hey everyone, I have a question my 2 year old Russian tortoise has started to slow down in pace as the winter rolls into California. He's an indoor tortoise and says inside, except for the occasional outings to his outdoor shelter once in a while when it's not too cold, and not raining...

Hello! I recently just read somewhere that mercury vapor bulbs are too strong/bright/dry for young sulcata tortoises. What is a better option that will still keep temperatures hot enough?

Hello, I am new here so sorry if I am posting in the wrong place. I have had my hermanns tortoise for about 12 years, since he was 7 years old. I didn’t keep him very well for a long time, partly due to where I was living but also my mental health has always been poor and I have struggled to...

Hi all! This is just a small question but i was hoping some of you may be able to help. It's been six months since we last bought our heat lamp so it was time to buy a new one and my mum picked one up from Pets At Home from her way back from work today and it's different to the one i had...

Im afraid my turtles may be suffering and on the verge of letting go. I didn't know about the importance of ubv lighting until a couple months after housing my turtles. Luckily they were in hibernation so I think that's what has saved them so far. I feel terrible.. so please I'm only asking...

Hi everyone, I have had my two hermanns for nearly two weeks now. My question in the uva/uvb light and heat. 1, how long should it take to reach the optimum temp? I aim between 28-30 as advised. It gets there but seems to take ages. Ive lowered it on occasions but then the basking spot gets...

Hi all, I just received a pair of 3-Toed Box Turtles about 2 months ago. These are my first turtles and my first reptiles. This lack of experience is the reason I am posting. I keep them outside in a spacious enclosure, and the female just laid a clutch of eggs about a week ago. I have...

Hi, I’m new to this so I don’t even know if I’m posting this question in the right place but I bought two baby (6month) red foot tortoises and a ‘beginners set up’ from my local pet shop and basically I think they didn’t give me enough information and was just misleading me and wanting to rip me...

Man, I have gone down the rabbit hole of Forum posts, trying to absorb much needed info. Huge thanks to all these experienced owners. I feel like Im on a first named basis with folks Ive never even met! My husband keeps asking who TOM and Yvonne are! I skipped an intro post before, so I figured...

I'm going to built my 7 year old female red foot tortoise a new tortoise table and I'm wondering what heat bulb/lamp is recommended, and what wattage/heat it would need to be, I got recommended a ceramic bulb would be best as it gives out no light. Also what type of UV bulb should I get, a...