PNWEric
New Member
We have two redfoots we were told to be about 2-3 years old (we think both males each weighs around 1 kg). I know two is not the best number to have, but that is where we are right now. We have had them for a little over a year and monitor them constantly and do not see any bullying signs for now. We have means to separate them if necessary for now and do when we cannot keep an eye on them.
1. What animal proteins do you feed? Thoughts on supplementing with something like Mazuri Tortoise Diet (mostly for the protein - it is 15% crude protein) in addition to greens, fruits, and vegetables?
2. We are building a larger PVC enclosure (currently each has a 4x2x2) for indoors during colder times (live in NW US - Washington State) that is 8' x 4' x 4'. I have 4 shell vents to add, would I be best putting them in the middle on the sides to help hold humidity or low on one side and high on other for air flow and block as needed to maintain humidity? I really do not have issues with humidity staying 90% or better right now using Orchid bark as the substrate. I will have to go to a soil base for live plants with bark on top and hope the diggers does not dig too deep (have a 18" litter dam on the front at the doors to use as needed). Any advice on how deep to make the substrate/soil would help too,
3. For the new enclosure temperature: I currently use a couple of CHEs to keep the temperature (harder to keep a gradient in the smaller home. The current enclosures do not hold heat as well as the PVC will. but i was planning 4 sockets for the CHEs, two on one side and one middle and 1 other side to make some gradient. For lighting I have a 36" T5HO with a 6% UVB that I will adjust height to get proper UVB (I have a Solarmeter to measure). I am also looking to add a couple Jungle Dawn or equivalent for plants. Then use the height for some larger plants to provide shade and keep it from being too bright at ground level. The question is, would i be better to use radiant heat panels instead of the CHEs? If so, what size?
I have divider to split the enclosure if we need to separate them. Once I get the first setup and working well, I will build a second one for the other guy so they each have a enclosure big enough.
I will use a Herpstat 4 or 6 to control all the heating and lighting depending how many different fixtures I end up installing.
Thanks for any advice! The new enclosure is at dads shop right now, but will share pictures when finished.
1. What animal proteins do you feed? Thoughts on supplementing with something like Mazuri Tortoise Diet (mostly for the protein - it is 15% crude protein) in addition to greens, fruits, and vegetables?
2. We are building a larger PVC enclosure (currently each has a 4x2x2) for indoors during colder times (live in NW US - Washington State) that is 8' x 4' x 4'. I have 4 shell vents to add, would I be best putting them in the middle on the sides to help hold humidity or low on one side and high on other for air flow and block as needed to maintain humidity? I really do not have issues with humidity staying 90% or better right now using Orchid bark as the substrate. I will have to go to a soil base for live plants with bark on top and hope the diggers does not dig too deep (have a 18" litter dam on the front at the doors to use as needed). Any advice on how deep to make the substrate/soil would help too,
3. For the new enclosure temperature: I currently use a couple of CHEs to keep the temperature (harder to keep a gradient in the smaller home. The current enclosures do not hold heat as well as the PVC will. but i was planning 4 sockets for the CHEs, two on one side and one middle and 1 other side to make some gradient. For lighting I have a 36" T5HO with a 6% UVB that I will adjust height to get proper UVB (I have a Solarmeter to measure). I am also looking to add a couple Jungle Dawn or equivalent for plants. Then use the height for some larger plants to provide shade and keep it from being too bright at ground level. The question is, would i be better to use radiant heat panels instead of the CHEs? If so, what size?
I have divider to split the enclosure if we need to separate them. Once I get the first setup and working well, I will build a second one for the other guy so they each have a enclosure big enough.
I will use a Herpstat 4 or 6 to control all the heating and lighting depending how many different fixtures I end up installing.
Thanks for any advice! The new enclosure is at dads shop right now, but will share pictures when finished.