Freds lighting

[LittleLove]

Hello and good afternoon,. I know you have all given me the right things to get for Fred, but I just got some new bulbs and wanted to know if these ones are OK. Also I am still looking for the right enclosure for Fred. I think I am going to have to build one. Which is going to be a bit challenging. I contacted Mark about the ones he builds, which I just loved them.. I was ready to order one when he said he didn't have one big enough for Fred and also that it wouldn't be worth it, since Fred is going to be outdoors by next year. I know you have given me links to get ideas on enclosures, but is here any DIY guides.

 

[LittleLove]

Also I forgot, how big of an enclosure should I be getting for Fred. And Tom thanks. I saw I post that you had replied to about an encl and you had referred them to reptile island, so I contacted them today about an enclosure and they said that they build custom ones. I hope if I do go with them it won't be to pricey which the young lady said it was going to be pricey, we'll see.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello and good afternoon,. I know you have all given me the right things to get for Fred, but I just got some new bulbs and wanted to know if these ones are OK. Also I am still looking for the right enclosure for Fred. I think I am going to have to build one. Which is going to be a bit challenging. I contacted Mark about the ones he builds, which I just loved them.. I was ready to order one when he said he didn't have one big enough for Fred and also that it wouldn't be worth it, since Fred is going to be outdoors by next year. I know you have given me links to get ideas on enclosures, but is here any DIY guides.

According to tests, I would use only *100W* version of ReptiZoo Intense Basking Spot. For this lamp *minimal distance to substrate is about 16-18"* (1.5-2 times more than with Arcadia Floodlights). For your peace of mind, you can just use Flukers or Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight instead.

Here is DIY guide for PVC enclosure (yet, I doubt it makes sense for you to build one just for 1 year):

Building your own Expanded PVC Enclosed Chamber – For Beginners

I have recently been asked to do a post on building an enclosed chamber using PVC, and to tailor the post to those that have NO fabrication / wood working experience and the resultant lack of tools. So, that’s what this post is about. If you have even basic wood working or metal working skills...

tortoiseforum.org

Garden beds like this one can be used for a temporary enclosure:

Raised Garden Bed Kit (2 Beds, 1 Enclosure)

Check out the Raised Garden Kit (2 beds, 1 enclosure) model 60053. Order directly from the manufacturer and receive free shipping at www.lifetime.com.

www.lifetime.com

 

[LittleLove]

According to tests, I would use only *100W* version of ReptiZoo Intense Basking Spot. For this lamp *minimal distance to substrate is about 16-18"* (1.5-2 times more than with Arcadia Floodlights). For your peace of mind, you can just use Flukers or Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight instead.

Here is DIY guide for PVC enclosure (yet, I doubt it makes sense for you to build one just for 1 year):

Building your own Expanded PVC Enclosed Chamber – For Beginners

I have recently been asked to do a post on building an enclosed chamber using PVC, and to tailor the post to those that have NO fabrication / wood working experience and the resultant lack of tools. So, that’s what this post is about. If you have even basic wood working or metal working skills...

tortoiseforum.org

Garden beds like this one can be used for a temporary enclosure:

Raised Garden Bed Kit (2 Beds, 1 Enclosure)

Check out the Raised Garden Kit (2 beds, 1 enclosure) model 60053. Order directly from the manufacturer and receive free shipping at www.lifetime.com.

www.lifetime.com

Thanks again Alex and the Redfoot. What size of an enclosure should I build or buy? Freds about a year old and is about 5 1/2 inches long.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

For indoors-only tortoise of that size I would start with 8x4 ft as a minimal viable size. Just the diameter of food/water dishes, hides and required spacing between obstacles makes anything smaller simply uncomfortable. And your sulcata might just double in size in one year. If you can go bigger - go for it.

PVC enclosure should be pretty expensive and since it is only temporary - it's not worth it.

Large greenhouse top over a simple and cheap base (e.g. from reused wooden pallets and plywood) probably, makes the most sense.

 

[LittleLove]

Thank you!

 

[LittleLove]

For indoors-only tortoise of that size I would start with 8x4 ft as a minimal viable size. Just the diameter of food/water dishes, hides and required spacing between obstacles makes anything smaller simply uncomfortable. And your sulcata might just double in size in one year. If you can go bigger - go for it.

PVC enclosure should be pretty expensive and since it is only temporary - it's not worth it.

Large greenhouse top over a simple and cheap base (e.g. from reused wooden pallets and plywood) probably, makes the most sense.

So you think this one will be on until I get something else

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

So you think this one will be on until I get something else

Yes, it should work. Maybe you can even combine two of these later for a larger enclosure.

 

[Tom]

Hello and good afternoon,. I know you have all given me the right things to get for Fred, but I just got some new bulbs and wanted to know if these ones are OK. Also I am still looking for the right enclosure for Fred. I think I am going to have to build one. Which is going to be a bit challenging. I contacted Mark about the ones he builds, which I just loved them.. I was ready to order one when he said he didn't have one big enough for Fred and also that it wouldn't be worth it, since Fred is going to be outdoors by next year. I know you have given me links to get ideas on enclosures, but is here any DIY guides.

Those are "spot" bulbs. You want "flood" bulbs.

 

[LittleLove]

Those are "spot" bulbs. You want "flood"

Hello Tom, what's the difference??

 

[Tom]

Hello Tom, what's the difference??

Beam angle and intensity.

 

[LittleLove]

Yes, it should work. Maybe you can even combine two of these later for a larger enclosure.

So you think I am going to have to get another one before he goes outside?

 

[LittleLove]

Beam angle and intensity.
View attachment 388077

What will it do to him? Is it ok for the next couple of days til I order the flood light bulbs. Also this is what I have it in

 

[LittleLove]

So you think this one will be on until I get something else

This is 8"and 25

 

[Tom]

So you think I am going to have to get another one before he goes outside?

If you have something around the size of Mark's 3x8 foot Smart Enclosure, or a self-built 4x8 foot closed chamber, the tortoise can sleep in that every night and stay in on days that are too hot or too cold. On days with nice weather, a 5 inch sulcata can spend most of the day outside in a safe enclosure with proper shade and shelters.

You are at a transitional phase for your tortoise. Too small to live outside full time, but too big to be cooped up inside all the time. You just need to get through a few more months until the tortoise reaches 8-10 inches and can move outside full time with a temperature controlled shelter, and hopefully a burrow for the summer months.

What will it do to him? Is it ok for the next couple of days til I order the flood light bulbs. Also this is what I have it in

Spot lights overheat the carapace, dry out the growth seems, and can cause permanent damage and pyramiding. What bulb is in the other side of the double hood?

 

[LittleLove]

If you have something around the size of Mark's 3x8 foot Smart Enclosure, or a self-built 4x8 foot closed chamber, the tortoise can sleep in that every night and stay in on days that are too hot or too cold. On days with nice weather, a 5 inch sulcata can spend most of the day outside in a safe enclosure with proper shade and shelters.

You are at a transitional phase for your tortoise. Too small to live outside full time, but too big to be cooped up inside all the time. You just need to get through a few more months until the tortoise reaches 8-10 inches and can move outside full time with a temperature controlled shelter, and hopefully a burrow for the summer months.


Spot lights overheat the carapace, dry out the growth seems, and can cause permanent damage and pyramiding. What bulb is in the other side of the double hood?

It's a ceramic heat emitter

 

[LittleLove]

It's a ceramic heat emitter. I will take it out right now.

 

[LittleLove]

So should I start making a enclosure for outside

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Beam angle and intensity.
View attachment 388077

And almost the same illustration of beam width and difference between "flood" and "spot" bulbs. With all three labeled as "Basking Spot" (source: https://issuu.com/exoticskeeper/docs/ekm_november_2024_final_nb/28)

Arcadia Floodlight is on the second screenshot for comparison.

 

[Tom]

It's a ceramic heat emitter

Ceramic heat emitters are good to use with smaller tortoises like yours for maintaining ambient temperatures. They need to be controlled with a thermostat.

As your tortoise grows in size and mass, ceramic heat emitters and basking bulbs become ineffective and possibly harmful to the top of the carapace. This is when you make the transition to outside full time with a safer and more effective heating strategy.

So should I start making a enclosure for outside

Absolutely. I would. Your tortoise should already have a large outdoor enclosure to use during nice weather. You can also build your night box anytime. If you build it early, the tortoise will have a lot of time to use it and get used to it before it moves outside full time, and that will make the transition easier and less stressful.