Hatchling enclosure advice

[voodoochild]

I'm sure this has been covered but couldn't find the info. I have never had a hatchling tortoise. I bought mine as adults. They've started to breed and I think I may get hatchlings this year. So I started getting everything ready. I originally got a cement mixing tub. I figured humid hides and a misting system would be sufficient but I've noticed many people keep their torts sealed up. Any ideas on how to seal a cement tub or how to attach heat lamps to a plastic bin? Also is a ceramic heater ok or do I need an actual heat lamp?
Thanks!

 

[Yvonne G]

This is the current arrangement my leopard babies are living in:




It's not sealed tight, but it really works to hold in the warm, moist air and keep the cooler house air out.

 

[Turtlepete]

I've always had better success with starting them in a very high humidity, warm habitat. I used to raised them in a cement mixing tub, but despite constant misting they still pyramided and weren't half as smooth as my closed chamber babies are. They also didn't thrive and grow as fast.

You can use anything that you can enclosure and keep the right temperature and humidity levels in. I've used plastic containers, glass tanks with the sides taped, vision cages meant for snakes, etc.. Getting the lamps in place safely takes some ingenuity, but it can be done.

 

[voodoochild]

That's what I was concerned about. Getting the headlamps inside a plastic bin seems a little dangerous. Guess I'll just have to play with it til I get it right. The drop cloth may be an idea.

 

[pfara]

That's what I was concerned about. Getting the headlamps inside a plastic bin seems a little dangerous. Guess I'll just have to play with it til I get it right. The drop cloth may be an idea.

A PVC frame and drop cloth will definitely keep it nice and humid. A taller designed frame can be used to hang lights without fear of burning/melting anything. Plus, it's lightweight and light on the wallet

 

[Yvonne G]

This is my light stand:

 

[voodoochild]

This is what I've got so far. Hopefully you can tell what I've got going on.

 

[voodoochild]

So I'm not digging the drop cloth. I think I'm going to put them in a plastic tote with a lid. For the heat lamp I think I will cut a hole in the lid then put a plastic shoe box over the lamp so the humidity can't escape. What do you think? I'll have to post pics when I get it done.

 

[voodoochild]

 

[voodoochild]

So I think I've got it where I need it. This is what it is:

16"x36" tub
18" repti glo 10.0
Heat lamp connected to a thermostat
Can add mister to water hookup
I am going to use coconut coir for substrate.
Still waiting for thermometer/hydrometer

How's it looking?

 

[timus]

Here is a big plastic bin I rigged up recently as I'm sold on the sealed chamber lol. I use lamp stands for the mvb and have the che inside and the hole covered with foil. I zip tied a one by to the top to hold the che. There is a very small bit of open space where the mvb is but it still rocks solid temps and humidity with a light spray once in the morning.

 

[timus]

My only complaint is that I can't see in without awkwardly propping up the lid. I think I may buy one of those zoomed tortoise houses seal it where there are cracks and put clear plastic over the cage top section. I think there are likely a billion ways to achieve the same results lol. Just put your thinking cap on and ahave at it.

 

[Anyfoot]

So I'm not digging the drop cloth. I think I'm going to put them in a plastic tote with a lid. For the heat lamp I think I will cut a hole in the lid then put a plastic shoe box over the lamp so the humidity can't escape. What do you think? I'll have to post pics when I get it done. View attachment 135917

Lol I thought that was a boat at 1st. Shoe box over lamp maybe dodgy. A lot of heat comes up through lamp. Fire hazard maybe

 

[divemtt]

This is my light stand:
]

@Yvonne G do your torts nibble on the orchids?

I think putting a show box over the lamp would probably trap too much heat. If you haven't already bought a heat lamp, have you considered a radiant heat panel? They are flat, and you can cut the lid so that the panel drops in perfectly.

 

[Yvonne G]

@Yvonne G do your torts nibble on the orchids?

I think putting a show box over the lamp would probably trap too much heat. If you haven't already bought a heat lamp, have you considered a radiant heat panel? They are flat, and you can cut the lid so that the panel drops in perfectly.

I wouldn't exactly use the word "nibble":

 

[voodoochild]

It is hooked up to a thermostat. It cuts off at 88*F. Right now I have the cord zip tied to the inside of the lid. I figured attaching a plastic shoebox over an opening in the lid would keep things a little cooler since it would create more room.

 

[Anyfoot]

It is hooked up to a thermostat. It cuts off at 88*F. Right now I have the cord zip tied to the inside of the lid. I figured attaching a plastic shoebox over an opening in the lid would keep things a little cooler since it would create more room.

I think I may have misunderstood you.
Are you going to put the plastic shoe box directly over the heat bulbs socket. If so how far away will the box be from the bulb fitting.

 

[N2TORTS]

I wouldn't exactly use the word "nibble":

....ummm....."Love Bites"...?

 

[voodoochild]

It would be as far as possible. Maybe this drawing of a boat (lol) is better? Basically I wanted to create a chamber that sits on top of the lid of their tub to house the light. Just to create more room. The way I have it now the light is only about 6" from the substrate. also included a pic of the current set up.

 

[voodoochild]

Those pics are out of order. Hopefully you can make sense of it all.