bulb wattage (Freaking out!)

[kaseylynn19]

hi everyone,
we just bought a leopard tortoise, wanted to know what size wattage is good? I want to make sure he is warm enough. we have a thermometer in his tank and have a dual light, a uvb light and a warmer bulb.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. You have a lot to change. The pellets need to go. The red bulb needs to go and be replaced with a 100 watt ceramic heat emitter. The UVB bulb should be a100 watt and not the coil type. He needs to be in a closed chamber with high humidity, 80% with temps no lower day or night then 80 with a basking temp of 95-100.
Please read the care sheet in the leopard or sulcata section.

 

[kaseylynn19]

wow, thank you. good to know, glad the pet store lady is an idiot.

 

[kaseylynn19]

I just ordered the two new bulbs

 

[Tom]

I just ordered the two new bulbs

Hello and welcome.

Don't feel bad. Most people start out with the wrong info. Pet stores are notorious for dispensing bad info.

Here is the correct care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Skip the text on this one and scroll down to the food list:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[wellington]

I like coconut coir. Others like orchid bark. You could use either one or the combo together.

 

[Mike13]

Hello and welcome.

Don't feel bad. Most people start out with the wrong info. Pet stores are notorious for dispensing bad info.

Here is the correct care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Skip the text on this one and scroll down to the food list:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Have you heard any good or bad things about backwater reptiles? I saw one website that listed information that contradicted everything I read about them right down to where they were from in Africa.

 

[Ramsey]

Hello and welcome. Is your enclosure covered or open top? I can't tell from the picture. Aside from the other items you should address, to answer your question about wattage, it will depend on the size of your enclosure and well its sealed. I like to use flood lights on a dimmer for the basking lights. You can control the temps easier. Then the same can be done for a CHE for the ambient and nighttime temps. I put mine on thermostats. Your tort looks really neat btw.

 

[Mike13]

My apologies, I posted in the wrong spot.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

wow, thank you. good to know, glad the pet store lady is an idiot.

Don't feel too bad. I've got one of those Zoomed coil bulbs in my nightstand lamp that I inherited from someone that didn't know any better at first.

 

[kaseylynn19]

I like coconut coir. Others like orchid bark. You could use either one or the combo together.

I'll try the orchid bark, I'm concerned with the tank only being 10 gallons and the heat wattage bulb 100, do you think it will be okay?

 

[wellington]

I'll try the orchid bark, I'm concerned with the tank only being 10 gallons and the heat wattage bulb 100, do you think it will be okay?

No, you have to get a bigger enclosure. A ten gallon will never work. Not enough room to build muscle with the things it needs in there and impossible to get the temps where they need to be without cooking him. A large plastic tote box will work good and much cheaper then aquariums.

 

[kaseylynn19]

No, you have to get a bigger enclosure. A ten gallon will never work. Not enough room to build muscle with the things it needs in there and impossible to get the temps where they need to be without cooking him. A large plastic tote box will work good and much cheaper then aquariums.

good call, never thought of that. I guess they figured since he was a baby we could start out with the aquarium tank for a little. I'll keep you posted on the bulbs when they arrive. I have to go out later and get the orchid bark. he is eating alot and is very active. is this normal? I bought a ton of greens on a list I found online.i did see calcium or something and bone something? I'm so new at this

 

[wellington]

good call, never thought of that. I guess they figured since he was a baby we could start out with the aquarium tank for a little. I'll keep you posted on the bulbs when they arrive. I have to go out later and get the orchid bark. he is eating alot and is very active. is this normal? I bought a ton of greens on a list I found online.i did see calcium or something and bone something? I'm so new at this

If he was bought from a pet store, they know nothing and just want to sell their crap. A ten gallon isn't even big enough for one gold fish, but they will sell you a gold fish bowl. A pinch of calcium twice a week is good or you can buy the cuttle bone and place it in the enclosure for him to help himself. You can also scrap the bone onto the food a couple times a week.

 

[Tom]

Have you heard any good or bad things about backwater reptiles? I saw one website that listed information that contradicted everything I read about them right down to where they were from in Africa.

No. Almost every review for them is bad. Do a forum search here. See for yourself.

 

[Tom]

good call, never thought of that. I guess they figured since he was a baby we could start out with the aquarium tank for a little. I'll keep you posted on the bulbs when they arrive. I have to go out later and get the orchid bark. he is eating alot and is very active. is this normal? I bought a ton of greens on a list I found online.i did see calcium or something and bone something? I'm so new at this

Read the linked threads. It is all explained there...

 

[Taylor T.]

Also, Christmas Tree boxes like this one make very good enclosures:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/IRIS-Holiday-Tree-Storage-Tote/48037028

 

[kaseylynn19]

Also, Christmas Tree boxes like this one make very good enclosures:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/IRIS-Holiday-Tree-Storage-Tote/48037028

the only issue is, I have other animals as well so what would I do for a lid situation? and I would have to build something to attatch the lights?

 

[Taylor T.]

You could use the lid that comes with the box and simply cut holes in it for the heat lamps with a knife or, if you have one, a Dremel. Then, make a hanger for the lamps out of wood or, get a one like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007D1BUJY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

What kind of animals do you have that could be a potential threat to your tortoise?

 

[kaseylynn19]

You could use the lid that comes with the box and simply cut holes in it for the heat lamps with a knife or, if you have one, a Dremel. Then, make a hanger for the lamps out of wood or, get a one like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007D1BUJY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

What kind of animals do you have that could be a potential threat to your tortoise?

oh okay, we have 2 cats and the one is pretty big, plus a bullmastiff and a beagle. I do want the hanger lamp that's on amazon.