Help! Rescued 12 year old horsefield

[Sabrinas1sttortoise]

Hi
Last week we took in a 12 year old horsefield. He came in a 3 foot vivarium with old lighting/heating. After rushing to the pet shop to get a new uv strip and basking bulb. I started researching tortoises.
I was originally told he was a hermans, but upon some quick research, found him to be a
Horsefield.
So, we now have our latest addition in the best acclimation we could muster in less than a week of having him.
However, I'm concerned about the basking temp. I've bought a d3 100watt bulb and can only get 25.7 degrees, right underneath it...? Around where the top of his shell will be is around 22 degrees.
Will this be enough? Any help appreciated with this situation, and any advice on the proper care for this little man please!

 

[JoesMum]

Hi and welcome

You really need to read the following thoroughly
Beginner Mistakes http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

You need 35C under the basking lamp. To achieve this you lower the lamp so it is closer to the tort. If you're still not getting the temperature then you need a higher wattage bulb.

Is this bulb a Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB)? If not, what are you doing for UVB?

 

[Sabrinas1sttortoise]

Hi and welcome

You really need to read the following thoroughly
Beginner Mistakes http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

You need 35C under the basking lamp. To achieve this you lower the lamp so it is closer to the tort. If you're still not getting the temperature then you need a higher wattage bulb.

Is this bulb a Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB)? If not, what are you doing for UVB?

Hi
Yes it is, provides uvb and heat.
Right under the lamp I'm only getting 27 degrees c and this is a 100w bulb..
Is it faulty?

 

[JoesMum]

Try lowering the bulb so it's closer to the floor

 

[Sabrinas1sttortoise]

Hi and welcome

You really need to read the following thoroughly
Beginner Mistakes http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

You need 35C under the basking lamp. To achieve this you lower the lamp so it is closer to the tort. If you're still not getting the temperature then you need a higher wattage bulb.

Is this bulb a Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB)? If not, what are you doing for UVB?

Hi
Have read those, please explain damp hide to me..
He has a closed in end for his'bed' should that be sprayed?

 

[Sabrinas1sttortoise]

Try lowering the bulb so it's closer to the floor

Yes, will be doing that tomorrow. Thank you

 

[Rue]

I have sphagnum moss in mine and I spray it so it is moist or damp...but not wet.

 

[Sabrinas1sttortoise]

I have sphagnum moss in mine and I spray it so it is moist or damp...but not wet.

So, I should place this in his "bedroom" area? Currently he has wood chip, aspen and a mix of dried grass and dried flowers(edible tortoise food).
Is this moss, in place of the above bedding? Or could I mist what's in there?
He is currently buried in amongst all this and sleeping quite happily (I think).
Sorry for all the questions, Im trying to learn! Normally we do our research before getting a pet, but there was no time this time around.

 

[Rue]

I have the moss only in the one hide...but this is where she prefers to go for the night....and daytime naps.

 

[Sabrinas1sttortoise]

Ok, thank you for the info! Much appreciated.

 

[Yvonne G]

The care sheets were written with young tortoises in mind. Your older tortoise really doesn't need a humid hiding place. He will do just fine if you spray down the substrate occasionally.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome there's some great up to date information here. Where are you located?
I read that one of our members uses a rock about the height of the tort to adjust the height of his bulbs to get the correct temp and to ensure he doesn't burn the tort's shell by having it too close. I think many recommend a height of approx. 10 inches above shell.
Are you using a digital temperature gun? They are more accurate than the dial type of thermometers for spot checking the 4 temps. I also use a wide dome with my bulbs to direct the heat downwards.
Sounds like your tort has found a good home.