A few questions...

[cmacusa3]

I was actually kind of thinking about trying to give them to someone who can better take care of them. I'd hate to do that but I think I might have to

Don't do that if you really care for them. I have some spare UVB lights and some CHE's tell me what else you need and I would ship it. I have some other stuff too.

 

[TheSulcata]

That is ok, my uncle has some UV lights he was gonna give me. I will find out what kind they are and tell you.

 

[TheSulcata]

Don't do that if you really care for them. I have some spare UVB lights and some CHE's tell me what else you need and I would ship it. I have some other stuff too.

And no offense but I don't really trust to give you my address

 

[TheSulcata]

Don't do that if you really care for them. I have some spare UVB lights and some CHE's tell me what else you need and I would ship it. I have some other stuff too.

And I really do care for them, I think the best thing if I can't take care of them would be to give them to someone who knows more about this stuff. They are already pyramiding, and they don't seem happy.

 

[cmacusa3]

And no offense but I don't really trust to give you my address

lol no worries

 

[Yvonne G]

I wouldn't put my address on the open forum like this either, but giving him your address in a private message would be ok. He's a well-respected, long standing member here.

Rather than find new homes for both of them, why don't you just keep one and work at getting him a bigger space?

 

[TheSulcata]

Idk if bigger space is the main problem... my problem is that they are pyramiding. And the only cause for that is humidity, right?

 

[JoesMum]

Idk if bigger space is the main problem... my problem is that they are pyramiding. And the only cause for that is humidity, right?

The cause of pyramidding is being raised in an environment that is too dry - the humidity is not high enough.

 

[TheSulcata]

Me and my dad just had an idea: a 10x10 square of plastic clear walls 3 or 4 feet tall with plastic wall roof with heat lamp hanging down and UV attached to the ceiling with a big tub of water to keep it humid. How is that? Does it sound good? (I will probably split it in half so they don't live in the same place.)

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

This is just for the winter until you can set them outside full time, right? Did you say how large the second tortoise was?

 

[TheSulcata]

This is just for the winter until you can set them outside full time, right? Did you say how large the second was?

I would split that in half and it would be two. This will be the enclosure they are in for now, and will later turn into their heat box when they get older.

 

[TheSulcata]

And do you guys have suggestions for flooring?

 

[Tom]

Idk if bigger space is the main problem... my problem is that they are pyramiding. And the only cause for that is humidity, right?

Pyramiding happens when babies are started to dry. Once the damage is done and they are bigger, there is not a lot you can do about it. Just give them a good environment now and let them grow up healthy and happy. If diet, hydration, temperatures and exercise are all good, then pyramiding is only cosmetic. Nothing to worry about. Do what you can, like adding humidity to your night box, but don't worry too much about it at this point. If you ever start a brand new hatchling, then we will help you get it right from the start.

 

[Tom]

Me and my dad just had an idea: a 10x10 square of plastic clear walls 3 or 4 feet tall with plastic wall roof with heat lamp hanging down and UV attached to the ceiling with a big tub of water to keep it humid. How is that? Does it sound good? (I will probably split it in half so they don't live in the same place.)

This sounds impractical and there is no reason to have enclosure walls 3 or 4 feet high. It only takes 16" to contain adults. You also don't want clear walls for larger tortoises. They need a visual barrier. Where are you putting this? Indoors or outside?

These tortoises were about 6 inches, right? Sounds like it would be easiest to build an insulated, heated night box and keep them outside in a divided yard. Like this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/

 

[TheSulcata]

This sounds impractical and there is no reason to have enclosure walls 3 or 4 feet high. It only takes 16" to contain adults. You also don't want clear walls for larger tortoises. They need a visual barrier. Where are you putting this? Indoors or outside?

These tortoises were about 6 inches, right? Sounds like it would be easiest to build an insulated, heated night box and keep them outside in a divided yard. Like this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/

Alright, I will go for the insulated night box with a heat lamp and a heat pad. I will also make it water proof and keep it around 50 or 60 percent humidity

 

[Tom]

Alright, I will go for the insulated night box with a heat lamp and a heat pad. I will also make it water proof and keep it around 50 or 60 percent humidity

I would not use a heat lamp for an outdoor box. They need it dark at night. Heat lamps also tend to dry out the carapaces of larger sulcatas in their night boxes. There are better alternatives. Check out this one: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/

 

[TheSulcata]

I would not use a heat lamp for an outdoor box. They need it dark at night. Heat lamps also tend to dry out the carapaces of larger sulcatas in their night boxes. There are better alternatives. Check out this one: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/

You said "larger tortoises". Mine are pretty small right now, so would it be ok to use a heat lamp for now? I will save up for a better system off this is possible

 

[TheSulcata]

I would not use a heat lamp for an outdoor box. They need it dark at night. Heat lamps also tend to dry out the carapaces of larger sulcatas in their night boxes. There are better alternatives. Check out this one: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/

Also, where can I get those heat pads and radiant heat panels? Can you share a link?

 

[Tom]

You said "larger tortoises". Mine are pretty small right now, so would it be ok to use a heat lamp for now? I will save up for a better system off this is possible

What you have to be careful of is that the tortoise doesn't sit directly under the bulb for hours, like all night long, and as I said before, they need it dark at night, but still warm. If you use some sort of over head heat lamp or CHE, use a thermometer and measure the temperature at tortoise shell height for several hours to make sure it isn't getting hot enough to do damage.

Here is where to get the heat mat:
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/kane
I use the 18 x 27" one.

Here is where to get the radiant heat panels:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels
I use the 80 watt ones.

Then you need a thermostat to run them both:
https://www.lllreptile.com/products/13883-zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller
or
https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/MTPRTC

A cheaper way to go is to buy the thermostat and hook it up to one of these, like in the double door box I posted for you: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Optimus-700W-Mini-Portable-Heater-with-Oil-Filled-Radiator/37948255

 

[TheSulcata]

What you have to be careful of is that the tortoise doesn't sit directly under the bulb for hours, like all night long, and as I said before, they need it dark at night, but still warm. If you use some sort of over head heat lamp or CHE, use a thermometer and measure the temperature at tortoise shell height for several hours to make sure it isn't getting hot enough to do damage.

Here is where to get the heat mat:
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/kane
I use the 18 x 27" one.

Here is where to get the radiant heat panels:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels
I use the 80 watt ones.

Then you need a thermostat to run them both:
https://www.lllreptile.com/products/13883-zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller
or
https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/MTPRTC

A cheaper way to go is to buy the thermostat and hook it up to one of these, like in the double door box I posted for you: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Optimus-700W-Mini-Portable-Heater-with-Oil-Filled-Radiator/37948255

So are you saying I can get this and the thermostat and not have to worry about the heat pads?