Help!! I think coco is sick! ???

Crystallynda

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The type of light is perfect so long as its that incandescent flood light! Its just sometimes you need a larger wattage, but not always. Thats the only reason I keep 2 of the same bulb. Just different wattage. The substrate for him needs to dry out a bit more and the enclosure needs to stay warmer during the day. Its a hard balance to figure out in the begining
That is why I’m stressing...

should I just get a 75 Walt than?
I’m at the store now where I got the one I got the first time since Home Depot is order online only!!
 

Srmcclure

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That is why I’m stressing...

should I just get a 75 Walt than?
I’m at the store now where I got the one I got the first time since Home Depot is order online only!!
I think mine are a 45 and a 75 and I just keep both on hand. Typically in the summer I switch to the 45, but I let my gauges tell me that.

The wooden tort tables aren't good because they are small, expensive and just not good lol. A closed chamber COULD work because you don't need high humidity in a closed chamber, it just traps what you put in it, but lots of people with Russians take bookshelves and turn them on their sides. I know you have a DT, but you might could do something similar. Im not as versed in temperate species. Mine are both tropical type enclosures, but seriously, trust in Tom. He really knows his stuff. He saved my baby when he was teenie too.
 

Crystallynda

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I think mine are a 45 and a 75 and I just keep both on hand. Typically in the summer I switch to the 45, but I let my gauges tell me that.

The wooden tort tables aren't good because they are small, expensive and just not good lol. A closed chamber COULD work because you don't need high humidity in a closed chamber, it just traps what you put in it, but lots of people with Russians take bookshelves and turn them on their sides. I know you have a DT, but you might could do something similar. Im not as versed in temperate species. Mine are both tropical type enclosures, but seriously, trust in Tom. He really knows his stuff. He saved my baby when he was teenie too.
Yes, that’s why I didn’t get anything yet!
I’m considering the bookshelves...but if I am getting a free un used one...I can probably make it work with some improvements to lighting for something.. what you think?
Or should I skip it altogether?
 

Srmcclure

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Yes, that’s why I didn’t get anything yet!
I’m considering the bookshelves...but if I am getting a free un used one...I can probably make it work with some improvements to lighting for something.. what you think?
Or should I skip it altogether?
A free unused what? I'm sorry lol
 

Yossarian

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I think mine are a 45 and a 75 and I just keep both on hand. Typically in the summer I switch to the 45, but I let my gauges tell me that.

The wooden tort tables aren't good because they are small, expensive and just not good lol. A closed chamber COULD work because you don't need high humidity in a closed chamber, it just traps what you put in it, but lots of people with Russians take bookshelves and turn them on their sides. I know you have a DT, but you might could do something similar. Im not as versed in temperate species. Mine are both tropical type enclosures, but seriously, trust in Tom. He really knows his stuff. He saved my baby when he was teenie too.

Russian torts are temperate species, DTs have humidity and temperature requirements more similar to tropical species.
 

wellington

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I believe it’s tank...

or something with doors maybe..or something! It was supposed to be for a bearded dragon that a friend of mine didn’t get! Sox she’s giving us so we can use it...
The tank will work for awhile so use it as long as its free. The tote box Tom suggested that you got works only if the bigger ones, a lot bigger ones.
If you can take him outside a fee times a week for uvb then you don't need a uvb bulb but it cant be cold out. Dt normally hibernate in the winter. Use che's for night time heat and incandescent bulbs or spot light reptile bulbs for day time heat. Any plastic box can work for a hide. If its clear just cover it with duct tape or something similar to make it dark inside. Coconut coir if fine. Just pat it down tightly. Someone posted a link to a caresheets, be sure to check it out.
 

Crystallynda

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This is his enclosure! The humidity is ridiculously high! Ima wrap him in a towel and place him in the light!!
 

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Crystallynda

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The tank will work for awhile so use it as long as its free. The tote box Tom suggested that you got works only if the bigger ones, a lot bigger ones.
If you can take him outside a fee times a week for uvb then you don't need a uvb bulb but it cant be cold out. Dt normally hibernate in the winter. Use che's for night time heat and incandescent bulbs or spot light reptile bulbs for day time heat. Any plastic box can work for a hide. If its clear just cover it with duct tape or something similar to make it dark inside. Coconut coir if fine. Just pat it down tightly. Someone posted a link to a caresheets, be sure to check it out.
 

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Crystallynda

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Where’s the sheets! Yes ima do that! Ima get him a shed thing tomorrow! Right now I’m put him in a rock to bring his temperature up and his humidity lower! I think it’s working! I also put him in a towel too!! Where I got him from he wasn’t in hibernation! I was suggested not to get him hibernated off he wasn’t ready which I don’t think he was because he was given food!
Next year I’ll make sure I’ll prepare him for hibernation! He wasn’t prepared this year at all!
 

Crystallynda

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Where’s the sheets! Yes ima do that! Ima get him a shed thing tomorrow! Right now I’m put him in a rock to bring his temperature up and his humidity lower! I think it’s working! I also put him in a towel too!! Where I got him from he wasn’t in hibernation! I was suggested not to get him hibernated off he wasn’t ready which I don’t think he was because he was given food!
Next year I’ll make sure I’ll prepare him for hibernation! He wasn’t prepared this year at all!
It seems to be working! Can he be allergic to the substrate? If so...what’s the recommendation here? His eyes are going down! Thank God!!
 

wellington

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If that is opened I am thinking the gauge is not correct. Not likely that high in an opened enclosure and the substrate not soaking wet almost puddle like.
The temp does need to come up. A blanket won't do. They need heat. He also needs a basking bulb spot that reaches 95-100 under the bulb at tortoise height.
For now get the temp up to 80 for day and night and then spend some time reading the care sheet linked for you and the sulcata caresheets as they are similar and also read closed chamber threads. I think you would do better grasping what is the correct ways and then applying. It will save you time and money on wasted items not needed and doing things that don't help.
 

Lyn W

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Don't panic! None of us like to see our torts off colour or injured but take a deep breath and read all the advice you have been given here. Find the caresheet for your DT to see what is recommeded for uvb, substrate and heat.

When my tort had an eye problem I used some saline solution (the sort contact wearers use) and gently dripped a couple of drops onto the eye just to wash anything out. Not too often though.

The towel won't help warm him as they are cold blooded so he needs the heat from the lamp to reach him so I would remove that. Can you lower the bulb a bit to raise the temp? Keep an eye on it to make sure he doesn't get too hot though and has the space to move away from it if he needs to.

I use a CHE run through a thermostat to keep the temps even at night - that gives heat without light as torts need darkness to sleep. You can use them for additional heat as well
A good tip I was given is
right temps + humidity = healthy tort
too cold + humidity = sick tort.
 

Crystallynda

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Yes...I’m bringing his temp up and humidity down!! That’s my focus right now!!

someone told me to put a rock or a stone under the light if the humidity was to much!!

he actually been under sheets since I got him too!!
 

Crystallynda

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Don't panic! None of us like to see our torts off colour or injured but take a deep breath and read all the advice you have been given here. Find the caresheet for your DT to see what is recommeded for uvb and heat.

When my tort had an eye problem I used some saline solution (the sort contact wearers use) and gently dripped a couple of drops onto the eye just to wash anything out. Not too often though.

The towel won't help warm him as they are cold blooded so he needs the heat from the lamp to reach him so I would remove that. Can you lower the bulb a bit to raise the temp? Keep an eye on it to make sure he doesn't get too hot though and has the space to move away from it if he needs to.

I use a CHE run through a thermostat to keep the temps even at night - that gives heat without light as torts need darkness to sleep. You can use them for additional heat as well
A good tip I was given is
right temps + humidity = healthy tort
too cold + humidity = sick tort.
Where can I get this? CHE? I think that would help him a lot!
I put a blanket so it’s not too hot!
I can’t put a stone under him so the light can get warm him better!!
his eyes seem to be better now actually! Swelling is down!
I wonder if he maybe allergic to it or something!
 

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