glass tank or tortoise table?

[Leo986_]

I'm moving into my college dorm room in 3 weeks and still need to get an enclosure to take with me for my Russian tortoise. He is currently in a 60-gallon long glass tank 48x18x16. My parents and college housing have recommended I downsize his tank but I'd never do that. I have limited space but I was looking to get something either the same size or bigger. I just don't know whether I should get a glass tank or tortoise table. For tortoise tables, most of the ones i've seen seem too small and I've looked into 2 floor ones but i'm worried about my tortoise falling off the ramp or second floor. I also don't know how humidity is with tortoise tables, and it looks like it wouldn't hold higher humidity. I have had issues with my glass tank not holding humidity well (averaging 20-30%) but I put some foil over half of the screen lid and have a misting system that has helped a lot. With glass tanks I have looked at, I was hoping to get something with sliding glass or doors that open on the front so it's easier to take him out but those are a lot more money so I might stick with another fish tank. I already know some people will say that Russian tortoises need more room but my parents wont let me get too much bigger and it already took so much time to convince them to let me get a 60 gallon instead of the pet store recommended 40 gallon and now convincing them to let me get a little bigger. I can't make a DIY enclosure, so I need to find something to buy. If I get a tortoise table, how do I keep the humidity high? I attached some images of tortoise table options and I haven't looked much into specific tanks yet but I know what I would get. My tortoise hasn't had any issues with the glass. Ive never seen him walk up to the glass or scratch at the glass. He likes walking around the tank and I've been taking him outside recently since its hot now. So please can someone help me figure out which I should get. If you all think I should get a tortoise table, which of these looks the best, or do you have any other recommendations?

 

[RandyTortoise]

You can rig up some plastic over the table if you have wooden riser holding the lights above. If it were me, my first year in university, I would stick with the aquarium for the first semester/year. Next year you may move out to your own apartment so will have more flexibility. The aquarium isn’t the best choice but I would go with simplicity considering what you are facing. Humidity, just cover the top they sell them for your size everywhere

 

[wellington]

Minimum for an adult Russian is a 4x8. Many build two levels to at least get the same square footage that a straight 4x8 would give. Do the best you can to get to that size. Your tortoise as it is won't get to go and live outside in the warm months.

 

[Tom]

I already know some people will say that Russian tortoises need more room but...

Some people will say this because it is true. It's not okay to keep an adult Russian tortoise in something that small. Its not healthy for them.

There are a lot of wonderful reptile pets that would do great in a 60 gallon tank in a dorm room. A Russian tortoise isn't one of them. If you can't give this tortoise what it needs, then you need to do the right thing for the tortoise.

In general, glass tank are fine for smaller tortoises until they grow up and get too large, like yours. None of the store bought wooden types are suitable either. They need around 4x8 feet, and you either have to built it, or have someone build it for you.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I'm moving into my college dorm room in 3 weeks and still need to get an enclosure to take with me for my Russian tortoise. He is currently in a 60-gallon long glass tank 48x18x16. My parents and college housing have recommended I downsize his tank but I'd never do that. I have limited space but I was looking to get something either the same size or bigger. I just don't know whether I should get a glass tank or tortoise table. For tortoise tables, most of the ones i've seen seem too small and I've looked into 2 floor ones but i'm worried about my tortoise falling off the ramp or second floor. I also don't know how humidity is with tortoise tables, and it looks like it wouldn't hold higher humidity. I have had issues with my glass tank not holding humidity well (averaging 20-30%) but I put some foil over half of the screen lid and have a misting system that has helped a lot. With glass tanks I have looked at, I was hoping to get something with sliding glass or doors that open on the front so it's easier to take him out but those are a lot more money so I might stick with another fish tank. I already know some people will say that Russian tortoises need more room but my parents wont let me get too much bigger and it already took so much time to convince them to let me get a 60 gallon instead of the pet store recommended 40 gallon and now convincing them to let me get a little bigger. I can't make a DIY enclosure, so I need to find something to buy. If I get a tortoise table, how do I keep the humidity high? I attached some images of tortoise table options and I haven't looked much into specific tanks yet but I know what I would get. My tortoise hasn't had any issues with the glass. Ive never seen him walk up to the glass or scratch at the glass. He likes walking around the tank and I've been taking him outside recently since its hot now. So please can someone help me figure out which I should get. If you all think I should get a tortoise table, which of these looks the best, or do you have any other recommendations?

Hi!
It seems, that your tortoise is almost full grown (or an adult). The good news is that it doesn't need high humidity across the whole enclosure. The bad news is that it needs a LOT of space. Just because tortoises actively forage for food and don't sit on a branch all day long waiting for a random bug to pass by.

My best bet would be a bunk bed with a first level repurposed as a tortoise enclosure (probably, some wooden planks to reinforce the bottom and sides covered with a pond liner).

Leaving him in a small enclosure (no matter 60 or 120 gallon) will eventually result in health problems.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

My best bet would be a bunk bed with a first level repurposed as a tortoise enclosure (probably, some wooden planks to reinforce the bottom and sides covered with a pond liner).

This is what I was thinking, there are photos on the internet of enclosures made for other reptiles that span across the whole space under the bed.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

The bed idea from Alex is a really good shout! tortoises are the kind of animals that require A LOT of space to thrive! Something that can’t be substituted with indoor free roaming, indoor free roams really take their toll health wise over time, they NEED an appropriate sized enclosure. The minimum is 8x4 ft, sure you’ll have plenty online tell you that’s overkill, most of those people are trying to sell the idea of ‘tortoises are great desk pets’, don’t listen to someone who is just giving you the answers you want, listen to their reasoning. Does it really make sense to take an animal that has evolved to walk miles daily foraging for food, and put them in a small enclosure? The bigger, always the BETTER with tortoises. 8x4ft may seem huge inside a home, but these animals long term health really does reply on a lot of room to roam, there’s no avoiding it. Please keep in mind these animals have evolved to walk miles every day, we shouldn’t restrict their worlds any smaller than 8x4ft ideally(or adapt a shape for similar sq footage), but even then the bigger you can go the better.

Hopefully you can find some inspiration in the links below, at the very least check out the safest substrates and lighting to use. But please don’t get the enclosure in the photo, they’re tortoise prisons

Toms care guide:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

I made this one based off the forums care information and added visual aids, it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), sizing, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it. I know the recommended adult size is intimidating to some, especially if you’ve been lead into thinking he’ll be fine in a smaller set up(very common) but tortoises long term health really does rely on lots of roaming room. If you’re unable to go that big, go as big as possible

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, 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

I hope they help! I know it’s a lot to go over, but please take all the time you need and reach out with any further questions, happy to break things down and help step by step with your individual situation

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

This is what I was thinking, there are photos on the internet of enclosures made for other reptiles that span across the whole space under the bed.

Here is one example of what I mean, of course make a simpler tortoise version of this.

DIY Reptile Enclosures | In case it helps inspire others, here are my recent "DIY" reptile enclosure projects- an under bed vivarium and mini shelves to provide similar climbi... | Facebook

In case it helps inspire others, here are my recent "DIY" reptile enclosure projects- an under bed vivarium and mini shelves to provide similar climbing options as a rocky background. I have tried to...

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