minimoo
Member
Hi all! Trying to get a hatchling enclosure set up properly, and hoping to get some feedback. I've tried to meld both Tom's "Temperate Tortoise" and Chris Leone's hermanni care guides, and would really appreciate your folks' eyes on anything I may have missed/misunderstood/misinterpreted. This will be my first tortoise, so apologies for any egregious errors...
Notes:
1. Orchid bark is en route
2. Plan is for basking lamp (100w basking spot lamp) and LED grow lights to be on 12-14hr timer. Basking spot is at around 90...what is the minimum safe distance between tort and lamp?
3. Plan is for T5HO 10.0 fixture to be on timer for a few hours a day. Is there a best time for a hatchling to cash in on it being on? AM? PM? both??
4. Humidifier will be on humidistat to keep at about 75% "mid-tub" (first night it went up to 86 RH, and seems to be stable at around 73% for today)
5. Not sure CHE is necessary, but not quite sure what is best temp range for a young hatchling. Thermometer/hygrometer is about an inch above substrate, midway between hot/cool sides. Tub stayed at 71 degrees overnight, seems to be staying constant at 82 with the basking lamp on.
6. The cork tube is plugged on both ends, so that the tortoise won't try to go inside/get stuck.
7. I have rocks walling off the back of the hibiscus pot, so the tortoise doesn't try to get back there/get stuck.
8. Tub is 50g stock tank (~2'x4'; has shower curtain to enclose it for heat/humidity)
9. The idea behind placement of hardscape was to not have the entire area feel too open/exposed for a baby tort. Food bowl was going to be in the 'niche,' water bowl closer to the 'humid hide'.
10. Glazed ceramic pot hide on hot side meant to better retain some humidity inside. Temp gun says 80 on the substrate, 85 on top of pot.
I totally feel like a kid before Christmas and truly want to do right by the little nugget ? Thanks in advance!
Notes:
1. Orchid bark is en route
2. Plan is for basking lamp (100w basking spot lamp) and LED grow lights to be on 12-14hr timer. Basking spot is at around 90...what is the minimum safe distance between tort and lamp?
3. Plan is for T5HO 10.0 fixture to be on timer for a few hours a day. Is there a best time for a hatchling to cash in on it being on? AM? PM? both??
4. Humidifier will be on humidistat to keep at about 75% "mid-tub" (first night it went up to 86 RH, and seems to be stable at around 73% for today)
5. Not sure CHE is necessary, but not quite sure what is best temp range for a young hatchling. Thermometer/hygrometer is about an inch above substrate, midway between hot/cool sides. Tub stayed at 71 degrees overnight, seems to be staying constant at 82 with the basking lamp on.
6. The cork tube is plugged on both ends, so that the tortoise won't try to go inside/get stuck.
7. I have rocks walling off the back of the hibiscus pot, so the tortoise doesn't try to get back there/get stuck.
8. Tub is 50g stock tank (~2'x4'; has shower curtain to enclose it for heat/humidity)
9. The idea behind placement of hardscape was to not have the entire area feel too open/exposed for a baby tort. Food bowl was going to be in the 'niche,' water bowl closer to the 'humid hide'.
10. Glazed ceramic pot hide on hot side meant to better retain some humidity inside. Temp gun says 80 on the substrate, 85 on top of pot.
I totally feel like a kid before Christmas and truly want to do right by the little nugget ? Thanks in advance!