DIY stuff

[irwm]

i want to improve my Hermann's tortoises enclosure
this is his enclosure now. before it was filled with coco coir like 4-5 cm deep but it became a problem for his eyes(swelled up etc). and i changed it like this half coco coir(1-2 cm deep) half orchid bark.
But it looks so simple and empty for me i want to do something else for him in there. Something diy like his hiding gourd.
If you have an idea or example i really like to hear.

(btw i changed his water cup too it was temporary)

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I think I have the perfect thread to share with you!

Would you mind quickly answering some of these questions? Just to refresh and so I can pass another one on if needed

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any!
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
What level is your humidity currently? Do you have a topper to make this a closed chamber set up?

Any answers to those would be great to help advise further

 

[irwm]

I think I have the perfect thread to share with you!

Would you mind quickly answering some of these questions? Just to refresh and so I can pass another one on if needed

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any!
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
What level is your humidity currently? Do you have a topper to make this a closed chamber set up?

Any answers to those would be great to help advise further

Im not using any uv and basking light becase its still really hot and sunny in my country but i will start using so i can take some advice on that. I dont actually have a humidifier but i dump water on him and his enclosure regularly so i guess its good for now but i will buy one with lights. I sometimes close the top but not always.

In the night its 15°C and in the day 23-25°C or more ofc the sunny places is more hot and i put him half sunny half shadow place. The humidity is %75+ (says the weather channel)

Im open for some advice of course. Thank you for responding my thread

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

i want to improve my Hermann's tortoises enclosure View attachment 381073
this is his enclosure now. before it was filled with coco coir like 4-5 cm deep but it became a problem for his eyes(swelled up etc). and i changed it like this half coco coir(1-2 cm deep) half orchid bark.
But it looks so simple and empty for me i want to do something else for him in there. Something diy like his hiding gourd.
If you have an idea or example i really like to hear.

(btw i changed his water cup too it was temporary)

You can add some (not many plants) or just cut a branch off hibiscus or mulberry and place it in the enclosure. As leaves dry out or eaten - put a fresh one. Plants can be in small seedling pots and replaced when needed.

Also, you can make a tunnel out of plastic pipe or clay plant pot half - bury it in the substrate, cover with substrate on top so he can walk inside the tunnel and over the tunnel. Same can be done with slate or flat pebbles.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Im not using any uv and basking light becase its still really hot and sunny in my country but i will start using so i can take some advice on that. I dont actually have a humidifier but i dump water on him and his enclosure regularly so i guess its good for now but i will buy one with lights. I sometimes close the top but not always.

In the night its 15°C and in the day 23-25°C or more ofc the sunny places is more hot and i put him half sunny half shadow place. The humidity is %75+ (says the weather channel)

Im open for some advice of course. Thank you for responding my thread

Fair enough, if you get him outside for daily uv, no need for indoor uv, though I would suggest a reptile floodlight for basking in the enclosure once inside so you know there’s a spot that’s reaching 35-37(the basking temperature they need directly under the bulb) other than that your temps sound fine.

Humidity wise I wouldn’t worry about adding a humidifier, they can cause respiratory problems when blowing directly into the enclosure, even when humidity in your country is high, it can actually be difficult maintaining where it needs to be indoors with an open top like this, the best way to maintain where needed would be to fashion a closed chamber set up, there’s multiple ways you could do this, some pretty cost effective

Hopefully you’ll find this thread I made useful on indoor housing, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of closed chamber for younger growing torts, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This one includes different closer chamber options and I’ll think you’ll like it for some different ideas of what to do with the space

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Time one can also really good to familiarise yourself with when looking into lighting, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in handy!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Im not using any uv and basking light becase its still really hot and sunny in my country but i will start using so i can take some advice on that. I dont actually have a humidifier but i dump water on him and his enclosure regularly so i guess its good for now but i will buy one with lights. I sometimes close the top but not always.

In the night its 15°C and in the day 23-25°C or more ofc the sunny places is more hot and i put him half sunny half shadow place. The humidity is %75+ (says the weather channel)

Im open for some advice of course. Thank you for responding my thread

So you have that enclosure outdoors right? Do you keep it outside during the night too?

 

[irwm]

So you have that enclosure outdoors right? Do you keep it outside during the night too?

no actually its indoor but i take him outside often and take him inside before the sunset

 

[irwm]

Fair enough, if you get him outside for daily uv, no need for indoor uv, though I would suggest a reptile floodlight for basking in the enclosure once inside so you know there’s a spot that’s reaching 35-37(the basking temperature they need directly under the bulb) other than that your temps sound fine.

Humidity wise I wouldn’t worry about adding a humidifier, they can cause respiratory problems when blowing directly into the enclosure, even when humidity in your country is high, it can actually be difficult maintaining where it needs to be indoors with an open top like this, the best way to maintain where needed would be to fashion a closed chamber set up, there’s multiple ways you could do this, some pretty cost effective

Hopefully you’ll find this thread I made useful on indoor housing, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of closed chamber for younger growing torts, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This one includes different closer chamber options and I’ll think you’ll like it for some different ideas of what to do with the space

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Time one can also really good to familiarise yourself with when looking into lighting, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in handy!

i will read these asap thank you very much

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

no actually its indoor but i take him outside often and take him inside before the sunset

Can you tell us what his humidity and temperatures are indoors?

Does the enclosure have a lid or a topper?

 

[irwm]

Can you tell us what his humidity and temperatures are indoors?

Does the enclosure have a lid or a topper?

well the indoor temperatures are definitely more then what i said earlier. and about humidity i didnt measure so i dont know but i dump water his enclosure daily and everytime i check him i speay his shell. But i will buy a thermometer with hygrometer(i think that's what you call it)

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

But i will buy a thermometer with hygrometer(i think that's what you call it)

It is good to have, especially with young tortoises, when you get it you can see if your indoor readings look good.

 

[irwm]

Fair enough, if you get him outside for daily uv, no need for indoor uv, though I would suggest a reptile floodlight for basking in the enclosure once inside so you know there’s a spot that’s reaching 35-37(the basking temperature they need directly under the bulb) other than that your temps sound fine.

Humidity wise I wouldn’t worry about adding a humidifier, they can cause respiratory problems when blowing directly into the enclosure, even when humidity in your country is high, it can actually be difficult maintaining where it needs to be indoors with an open top like this, the best way to maintain where needed would be to fashion a closed chamber set up, there’s multiple ways you could do this, some pretty cost effective

Hopefully you’ll find this thread I made useful on indoor housing, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of closed chamber for younger growing torts, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This one includes different closer chamber options and I’ll think you’ll like it for some different ideas of what to do with the space

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Time one can also really good to familiarise yourself with when looking into lighting, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in handy!

i read the first one and looked online for uv fluorescent tubes and found this is this good or should i look more

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

i read the first one and looked online for uv fluorescent tubes and found this is this good or should i look more

These are T8 lamps (older and weaker than T5). I have never seen Sylvania UVB lamps before (and test reports for them), so cannot comment on quality. Two such lamps in a double fixture are equivalent of one T5 lamp.

I would look for Arcadia ProT5 or ZooMed Reptisun T5 lamps. If these aren't available and cannot be ordered from abroad we can look at what's available.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

These are T8 lamps (older and weaker than T5). I have never seen Sylvania UVB lamps before (and test reports for them), so cannot comment on quality. Two such lamps in a double fixture are equivalent of one T5 lamp.

I would look for Arcadia ProT5 or ZooMed Reptisun T5 lamps. If these aren't available and cannot be ordered from abroad we can look at what's available.

See if you can find these suggestions^^ but if not we can look over some other options

 

[irwm]

These are T8 lamps (older and weaker than T5). I have never seen Sylvania UVB lamps before (and test reports for them), so cannot comment on quality. Two such lamps in a double fixture are equivalent of one T5 lamp.

I would look for Arcadia ProT5 or ZooMed Reptisun T5 lamps. If these aren't available and cannot be ordered from abroad we can look at what's available.

i looked on amazon for this its 30$ if we invlude shipping and fees it became 60$ and in my country its equal to 2000 and its a lot (its like 1000$ for you)

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Okay, I understand. From November-December till April UV index in Istanbul is pretty low, so outdoor sunbathing is not a good option too.

If there are no affordable UVB tube lamps, the best course of action is:
1. Provide calcium+D3 supplement (I see you are already looking into this).
2. Maximize sunbathing time (e.g. add an incandescent heat lamp outdoors to keep tortoise warm)
3. Next year brumate (hibernate) your tortoise.

 

[irwm]

Okay, I understand. From November-December till April UV index in Istanbul is pretty low, so outdoor sunbathing is not a good option too.

If there are no affordable UVB tube lamps, the best course of action is:
1. Provide calcium+D3 supplement (I see you are already looking into this).
2. Maximize sunbathing time (e.g. add an incandescent heat lamp outdoors to keep tortoise warm)
3. Next year brumate (hibernate) your tortoise.

isnt he too young for hibernation (i think he is 10 months old now)

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

isnt he too young for hibernation (i think he is 10 months old now)

They brumate in the wild since hatching. So, if tortoise is well hydrated, well fed and there are controlled conditions for brumation it can be done.

The safest option for brumation is a small dedicated fridge. And you need some records on his weight - how much he gained or lost. To brumate (hibernate) him in the garden/yard, place should be prepared - e.g. well drained soil, more or less stable temperature. Just tossing him under the bush is a too risky. With that in mind I would keep him awake this winter.

 

[irwm]

i read
Thread 'Tom's Brumation Thread' https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/toms-brumation-thread.201823/

after you mentioned brumation and im actually convinced a little. But do you think i can do this with normal kitchen fridge? I can set its temperature for my tortoise if it would work.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

i read
Thread 'Tom's Brumation Thread' https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/toms-brumation-thread.201823/

after you mentioned brumation and im actually convinced a little. But do you think i can do this with normal kitchen fridge? I can set its temperature for my tortoise if it would work.

Kitchen fridge is opened many times a day and this affects temperatures to some extent and disturbs the tortoise (brumation is a half-awake state). I have only seen people using "backup" fridge for that purpose (used for beverages and stuff).

Technically, yes, common kitchen fridges can work.