Hello! new Russian Tortoise mommy

[Shannon8525]

Hello all! Im a new Russian Tortoise owner and i just want to make sure i am giving her ( no name yet, any suggestions ) best new home that i can. The tank is 125 gallon 18in by 6ft, i have a uvb mercury light on the left side and a reptile heat light on the right. A shallow water dish and food dish and the flooring is calcium sand and coconut fiber mixture. I have tried to feed her cabbage and celery leaves and she has not eaten yet ive had her for 2 days is that normal for right now?

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Shannon!

Your questions and concerns are better addressed in your other thread where more people will see them. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hello.132461/

 

[popeye tortoise]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[MaryandTrouble]

Hi! Welcome, fellow Russian owner! I'm pretty new too, but you sound like you're off to a pretty good start!

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome Shannon !

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

The MVB is good, but color is the "Reptile Bulb". If its anything other than white, I would replace it with a plain white one.

The coir is great, but the sand has to go. Its an impaction risk and a possible skin and eye irritant.

I know that tank seems big, and its certainly not terrible, but a bigger foot print will be better. 4x8' is a good size for an adult russian. I think 3x6' should be the minimum.

There are lots of tips here:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Shannon8525]

Thank you, The light was just a heat bulb no color at all, but after speaking with yvonne G i went out and got a larger watt because my temp was not high enough that 1 is now white and 150 watts. The sand in the tank is just @ the very bottom( not mixed with the coconut mixture) so it should be no problem to get it out. I am also hoping to make a indoor tortoise table for him later and also something for outside when summer comes back. I just had this tank from when i had my Terrapins years ago.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Shannon

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Shannon ,and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Adam the Tortoise.

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm to the forum!

 

[Jacqui]

Hi and welcome.