Beginner Advice Needed

[enyoueffsea]

First of all - hello all. New to owning a tortoise so hence, new to the forum!

Done a lot of research prior to the purchase, the tortoise arrived yesterday (no name yet, waiting for the mrs to decide!). Just wanted to share a quick photo of the viv to welcome any comments and ask a few quick questions.

Behind the bushes in the middle is a large log hide, which the tortoise can easily walk through or sit in (has sat in there quite a lot so far). I added in the stone underneath the light for a good heat source, help file the nails and a different texture to walk over.

There is a small ball in there in case the tortoise decides to take up a footballing career, the thing that looks to be glowing to the right of the ball is a piece of half-eaten lettuce. In the far right corner is a water bowl, which is surrounded by moss and stones.

The house is full of moss, which I hope the tortoise uses at night for sleeping.

I plan to get more plants to hang from the top which will cover the entire back wall and I also have a bridge that can be put in the viv but I only plan to chop and change when this goes in to add a bit of variety for the tortoise and keep it active with new things to do.

There is a UV light along the top (covering the full length) and the basking lamp. At the far right there is a humidifier/fogging system that pumps in to keep the viv humid.

The substrate on the floor is a "jungle bark" substrate that is advertised as being good for humidity and red foot tortoises.

My first question, is does this look suitable? And any suggestions/comments that you feel necessary.

Secondly, the lights/humidifier are currently on a timer system. The heat lamp comes on first in the morning, then the UV light and finally the humidifier. I did this to try mimic the natural habitat, you'd expect it to warm up in the morning, then the sun comes out and as both of that happens it goes more humid. Does this sound okay? There is about 45 minutes in between each thing activating.

Finally, I would like to ask how long the humidifier should be left on for? Currently it's being left on for about 8 hours a day (and off at night) - is this correct?

The tortoise is registered with the local vet (who has a vet that specialises in tortoises) and we decided we'll take the tortoise in a couple of weeks for a general check up after it has had chance to settle in. Followed by annual check ups.

Thank you all for your help in advance, I'm sure I'll have lots more of questions as we come along and hopefully I can get expand my new knowledge!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

With water mixed in with that bark, you may find that you don't need a humidifier with your closed system.
If your Redfoot is/will be very small, this size enclosure might be good. In fact, this looks much better and more suitable than most.
I like it.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi @enyoueffsea and a very warm welcome to the forum!

Please read the "Beginners Mistakes" Thread.

As or the viv, it's lovely, but please allow me to point out that some torts do not understand the concept of glass. They'd try to get out time and one again. This may cause a lot of stress.

What of pics of your tort?

 

[enyoueffsea]

The redfoot is really young, fits comfortably in the palm of my hand which is why I thought it should be okay in that size viv for a while. Currently sat in the little wooden house, so couldn't get a photo. Will upload one soon.

Regarding the glass at the front, is there anything that would help? Sticking things on the glass to try educate the little one?

Thanks for pointing that thread out, will give it a read now.

 

[Killerrookie]

I don't see you mentioning a bulb for night. A CHE bulb would be great to keep the enclosure warm at night and not to cold. Also he's less likely to get sick if the enclosure is warm at night. Cold and humid= sick tortoise.
Warm and humid is a healthy one.
Hope this helped some

 

[enyoueffsea]

I don't see you mentioning a bulb for night. A CHE bulb would be great to keep the enclosure warm at night and not to cold. Also he's less likely to get sick if the enclosure is warm at night. Cold and humid= sick tortoise.
Warm and humid is a healthy one.
Hope this helped some

Thank you, this isn't something that I'd considered. Would a heat mat underneath the wooden house work? So far he's slept in that area (which I hoped he would), so if we slipped a heat mat under there it should keep him relatively warm at night? I can then put that on the timer system I have, which would turn on when the bulb turns off at night.

I've monitored the temperatures in there at night (prior to the little man arriving by checking the thermometer on the way to the toilet during the night) and the temperature didn't get lower than 55F.

The humidifier is turned off a few hours before the light in the evening, so it's not too humid during the night.

 

[saginawhxc]

I never let my temps fall below 80F.

I'm pretty much a novice myself when it comes to Redfoot tortoises, so I could be wrong about this, but that also seems like a lot of light for a redfoot.

I've only had my rescue for 5 or 6 weeks, but the first thing I did when I brought her home was take all the lighting equipment out and replace it with a CHE that I ran off of a thermostat.

Please don't take my advice and run with it until someone with much more experience chimes in, but I just wanted to throw it out there.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

55 with humidity will make for a sick tortoise.
Aim for at least 70 at night. 86,88 during the day.
And yes. No bright lights.

 

[enyoueffsea]

Thanks both, will invest in one of those CHE bulbs first thing tomorrow from the pet shop and re-monitor the night time temperature.

 

[cmacusa3]

The redfoot is really young, fits comfortably in the palm of my hand which is why I thought it should be okay in that size viv for a while. Currently sat in the little wooden house, so couldn't get a photo. Will upload one soon.

Regarding the glass at the front, is there anything that would help? Sticking things on the glass to try educate the little one?

Thanks for pointing that thread out, will give it a read now.

Seldom do torts have issue with glass, if however yours does, you can cover the bottom part with tape or anything just to keep him from being able to see out. I along with several experienced members have used glass for years with no issues.

Glass is great because they get used to seeing humans and in turn they know we aren't a predator.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Someone has done their homework! Nice job, looks great. Id agree on adding a CHE on thermostat to maintain the nice warm day, but especially night temps. Given that you have a pretty well enclosed viv, coupled with what looks like good substrate, i think you could cut back the hours that the humidifier is on.

 

[enyoueffsea]

Thanks all. I'm pleased that I signed up now as I knew there would be lots that I could gain from it.

- CHE bulb to be added first thing tomorrow
- I've changed the timer for the humidifier to reduce the time it is on (and also put it at one of the lowest settings)
- Will monitor the little man regarding the glass, if he starts to try walk through it I'll put something along it to stop it happening

I'm very much a beginner so happy to take any constructive criticism or advice, I wont get offended! Just want to try and get the best conditions for the little one as I couldn't be happy with myself if it was not good.

 

[cmacusa3]

I have a new Enclosure that looks a lot like this and with no humidifier, just the dampish substrate I'm staying steady at 80% humidity. You could put it on a timer to come on 30 minutes every 4 hours or whatever works best if needed.

 

[enyoueffsea]

I have a new Enclosure that looks a lot like this and with no humidifier, just the dampish substrate I'm staying steady at 80% humidity. You could put it on a timer to come on 30 minutes every 4 hours or whatever works best if needed.

I've just changed the settings for the timer to mimic this and I'll monitor to see how it goes and change if needed.

 

[DutchieAmanda]

That enclosure looks really nice, let's hope your tort won't outgrow it too soon!
I agree with the advice with the CHE on a thermostate.
I also don't need a humidifier in my closed chamber enclosure. Too much humidity can soak the substrate, which could be a risk factor for shell rot. You want a high humidity while the top layer of the substrate stays only slightly damp.
Enjoy your new friend!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

 

[Anyfoot]

First of all - hello all. New to owning a tortoise so hence, new to the forum!

Done a lot of research prior to the purchase, the tortoise arrived yesterday (no name yet, waiting for the mrs to decide!). Just wanted to share a quick photo of the viv to welcome any comments and ask a few quick questions.

Behind the bushes in the middle is a large log hide, which the tortoise can easily walk through or sit in (has sat in there quite a lot so far). I added in the stone underneath the light for a good heat source, help file the nails and a different texture to walk over.

There is a small ball in there in case the tortoise decides to take up a footballing career, the thing that looks to be glowing to the right of the ball is a piece of half-eaten lettuce. In the far right corner is a water bowl, which is surrounded by moss and stones.

The house is full of moss, which I hope the tortoise uses at night for sleeping.

I plan to get more plants to hang from the top which will cover the entire back wall and I also have a bridge that can be put in the viv but I only plan to chop and change when this goes in to add a bit of variety for the tortoise and keep it active with new things to do.

There is a UV light along the top (covering the full length) and the basking lamp. At the far right there is a humidifier/fogging system that pumps in to keep the viv humid.

The substrate on the floor is a "jungle bark" substrate that is advertised as being good for humidity and red foot tortoises.

My first question, is does this look suitable? And any suggestions/comments that you feel necessary.

Secondly, the lights/humidifier are currently on a timer system. The heat lamp comes on first in the morning, then the UV light and finally the humidifier. I did this to try mimic the natural habitat, you'd expect it to warm up in the morning, then the sun comes out and as both of that happens it goes more humid. Does this sound okay? There is about 45 minutes in between each thing activating.

Finally, I would like to ask how long the humidifier should be left on for? Currently it's being left on for about 8 hours a day (and off at night) - is this correct?

The tortoise is registered with the local vet (who has a vet that specialises in tortoises) and we decided we'll take the tortoise in a couple of weeks for a general check up after it has had chance to settle in. Followed by annual check ups.

Thank you all for your help in advance, I'm sure I'll have lots more of questions as we come along and hopefully I can get expand my new knowledge!

Looking good. There are 2 things I would change. Swap the spot bulb for a CHE, also change your long uvb strip light for a shorter length. This will make the opposite end slightly cooler and darker. You will find your Tortoise is a bit more lively in the darker end of your enclosure.

 

[THEELEG]

This is my set up, CHE above his house and UVB on the other side. Temps and humidity stay in 80s, simple and it works.

 

[TurtleMommy22]

Compliments on all your research and hard work!! Have you bought a temperature gun yet? The Nubee is great and$10 on Amazon. Also please join our redfoot group on Facebook

 

[THEELEG]

Compliments on all your research and hard work!! Have you bought a temperature gun yet? The Nubee is great and$10 on Amazon. Also please join our redfoot group on Facebook

Red foot group??