First Tortoise.

[Marius5013]

Hello there, my name is Marius and I'm new to both the forum and the tortoise world in general.
I'm getting a Greek tortoise soon for free by someone I know (they have five, don't know specific species) and I'll be making a tortoise table for him before I go and get him. I've read the Greek tortoise care sheet, but I've still got a few questions.

Question 1: Lighting and heat.

I've been looking at the ExoTerra Heat Glo Infared 150 watt and the Day Glo Spot 150 watt as they suggest this combination for a 24 hour cycle. By this do they mean I have the Day Glo turned on during the day and the Heat Glo during the night? Btw I'm getting the Habistat Dimming night/day as Exo Terra suggest a dimming thermostat with the Heat Glo. It's a bit confusing for me, so I'd like a few suggestions as to how I handle the lighting.

Question 2: Now I think about it, that's more or less the only thing I'm having trouble with. I'd really like a 24 hour cycle where the light dims and the temperature decreases into the night.

Any tips and suggestions related to keeping my tortoise healthy and happy is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Minority2]

1. Where are you getting this information from?

Red bulbs can confuse tortoise into eating unwanted material in their enclosures. It may be too disorienting for some people and tortoises. I do not recommend using them.

Greek tortoises do not necessarily require night time heating unless temperatures fall below 65-60F. Use a ceramic heat emitter or reptile heating panel if your enclosure gets too cold. Again, do not use a red bulb.

2. What do you plan to use for UV(B) lighting? You've only suggest two basking bulbs. Basking bulbs should be set for 12-14 hour daily cycles.

I'm afraid I cannot help you find a dimming fixture because I have not considered doing so. Someone else with more experience with dimming equipment will be more helpful here.

Here is a care sheet on Greek tortoises. Please do not use sand as a substrate. I have also included a care sheet on Russian tortoises. Care advice for Russians and Greeks are quite similar:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[Marius5013]

1. Where are you getting this information from?

Red bulbs can confuse tortoise into eating unwanted material in their enclosures. It may be too disorienting for some people and tortoises. I do not recommend using them.

Greek tortoises do not necessarily require night time heating unless temperatures fall below 65-60F. Use a ceramic heat emitter or reptile heating panel if your enclosure gets too cold. Again, do not use a red bulb.

2. What do you plan to use for UV(B) lighting? You've only suggest two basking bulbs. Basking bulbs should be set for 12-14 hour daily cycles.

I'm afraid I cannot help you find a dimming fixture because I have not considered doing so. Someone else with more experience with dimming equipment will be more helpful here.

Here is a care sheet on Greek tortoises. Please do not use sand as a substrate. I have also included a care sheet on Russian tortoises. Care advice for Russians and Greeks are quite similar:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

I got the information from Exo Terra but didn't exactly want to just go with it before I had asked the forum. I assumed one of the heat/light bulbs I'd talked about emmited UVB light, but I take it that's not the case. After reading you're post, I've decided to not buy a dimming solution as I don't really need it, instead I'll buy a ceramic heat emitter 100 watt, and a UVB light bulb/tube from either Exo Terra or Arcadia, as well as basking spot lamp from either company 100-150 wattage. The substrate will be either one of the three suggested from the Greek caresheet, which is available in my area (except sand I take it). It pleases me to know that night time heating is necesarrily a requirement, as that's what worried me the most. My room very rarely falls under 70 - 75 degrees fahrenheit.

Thank you for the reply, it helped me a great deal.

P.S: When I've bought everything and set it up I'll make a post on the forum just to see if I've made any major flaws, before I go pick the tortoise up.

 

[katieandiggy]

I use a dimming thermostat as I cannot regulate the heat from my bulb. I checked it once and it had got to 120f but now I don’t have to worry. As long as you can move your basking light up or down to obtain the correct temperate then it will be fine.

 

[Marius5013]

I use a dimming thermostat as I cannot regulate the heat from my bulb. I checked it once and it had got to 120f but now I don’t have to worry. As long as you can move your basking light up or down to obtain the correct temperate then it will be fine.

Fortunately, I will be able to move it up and down. Thanks!