Baby sulcata tortoise lighting/heating

[Brittanyp1113]

Do I plug all the lights into it including the heat emitting light? I want the heat emitting light to be set at 80 degrees? What about the other lights how long should I set timer for those? If the heat emitting light is set to 80 does that mean it won't go below 89 degrees or what? Sorry for all the questions

 

[Tortellini0000]

Do I plug all the lights into it including the heat emitting light? I want the heat emitting light to be set at 80 degrees? What about the other lights how long should I set timer for those? If the heat emitting light is set to 80 does that mean it won't go below 89 degrees or what? Sorry for all the questions

@Tom since you got the one he recommended. I’m curious too

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Do I plug all the lights into it including the heat emitting light? I want the heat emitting light to be set at 80 degrees? What about the other lights how long should I set timer for those? If the heat emitting light is set to 80 does that mean it won't go below 89 degrees or what? Sorry for all the questions

1. No, you plug only ceramic heat emitter in the thermostat. And set it to 80F. This is the lowest temperature you need in the enclosure and the thermostat will turn on and off ceramic heat emitter to maintain it.
2. You use timers for your basking and UVB lamps. 12 hours timer for the basking lamp (e.g. from 8AM to 8PM) and 4 hours for UVB light (e.g. from 10AM to 2PM). Do not connect lights to the thermostat. And don't put the the thermostat on timer.
3. When you set 80F on the thermostat, it will turn *on* the heater when temperature dips below this setting - e.g. at 79F and turn *off* the heater when temperature is above the set value (e.g. 81F).

Don't worry about asking questions - topic is often confusing and we are setting "life-support system" here, it's better to make things crystal clear and set it up properly.

 

[Brittanyp1113]

1. No, you plug only ceramic heat emitter in the thermostat. And set it to 80F. This is the lowest temperature you need in the enclosure and the thermostat will turn on and off ceramic heat emitter to maintain it.
2. You use timers for your basking and UVB lamps. 12 hours timer for the basking lamp (e.g. from 8AM to 8PM) and 4 hours for UVB light (e.g. from 10AM to 2PM). Do not connect lights to the thermostat. And don't put the the thermostat on timer.
3. When you set 80F on the thermostat, it will turn *on* the heater when temperature dips below this setting - e.g. at 79F and turn *off* the heater when temperature is above the set value (e.g. 81F).

Don't worry about asking questions - topic is often confusing and we are setting "life-support system" here, it's better to make things crystal clear and set it up properly.

I purchased a humidifier because the humidity in the enclosure was 40 now it's up to 85-90 humidity. Is that ok 24/7

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Humidifiers aren't recommended since they can cause respiratory problems.

 

[Brittanyp1113]

I think I'm going to return it & put foil on the top of the metal wire grid part which isn't a large area & when I mist do I use warm water in one corner? On the cool side or the warm side?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I think I'm going to return it & put foil on the top of the metal wire grid part which isn't a large area & when I mist do I use warm water in one corner? On the cool side or the warm side?

You need to pour water in the corners, not to mist. When bottom substrate layers are damp they will slowly release water in air, keeping humidity high enough for a week or so. I add more water on the warm side and less on the cold side because it dries out quicker under heat lamps.

 

[Brittanyp1113]

Ok sounds good. I got this enclosure I'm wanting to cover the wire mesh part on top but I don't know what I can use that won't melt under my lamps. Any suggestions?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Ok sounds good. I got this enclosure I'm wanting to cover the wire mesh part on top but I don't know what I can use that won't melt under my lamps. Any suggestions?

For this type of enclosures it's better to remove lids completely and cover it with a portable greenhouse top: these enclosures are only 11-13 inches high and it's not safe to use high output UVB sources (T5 lamps like Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia Desert 12%) at that distance. Also sulcata babies outgrow them in no time.

 

[Brittanyp1113]

For this type of enclosures it's better to remove lids completely and cover it with a portable greenhouse top: these enclosures are only 11-13 inches high and it's not safe to use high output UVB sources (T5 lamps like Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia Desert 12%) at that distance. Also sulcata babies outgrow them in no time.

Ok so cover with greenhouse top and I have a t5 light from reptisun