Help with new home

[annexadi]

Hi I want to build a tortoise house, my kids got me one for Mother's Day and she came in a viv which if I have read right is not good for her. My oldest daughter has move to her own home and i am thinking of converting that to Shelly's room and wondered what wood I should use? It's probably going to be around 10x6. She also came with sand which after reading that's not good so can anyone give me tips on whats best to use and if it should be mixed or all the same? Will she be ok when the suns shining through the window as long as she has place to hide and shade or should I close the curtains? If anyone has some pictures to give me ideas that would be great and any tips no matter how obvious that would be great. I have had her a year now and her shell is not a good shape probably a bit worse than when I got her which I think is because I fed her to much which I have now cut back on, I read she should have enough food to cover her shell is this a good guide? I just want her to be as healthy and happy as possible wish I hadn't taken everything the old owner told us as gospel and stuck to it. I was told calcium on every meal and she wasn't eating it with the calcium powder on very well so spoke to pet shop and the sold me some liquid calcium to put in her water is this ok? Many thanks

P.s so sorry for all the questions but even one answer will help me to get Shelly healthy and happy

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. We need to know what specie you have in order to give advice. Also how big is it? Can you make it a home outside for summer?
Sun through a window won't help (UVB will be blocked) or hurt the tort as long as it doesn't over heat the whole area.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Different species of tortoises require different care and space. Can we see a picture of your tortoise so we can give you the best advice?

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum!

 

[Tom]

Hi I want to build a tortoise house, my kids got me one for Mother's Day and she came in a viv which if I have read right is not good for her. My oldest daughter has move to her own home and i am thinking of converting that to Shelly's room and wondered what wood I should use? It's probably going to be around 10x6. She also came with sand which after reading that's not good so can anyone give me tips on whats best to use and if it should be mixed or all the same? Will she be ok when the suns shining through the window as long as she has place to hide and shade or should I close the curtains? If anyone has some pictures to give me ideas that would be great and any tips no matter how obvious that would be great. I have had her a year now and her shell is not a good shape probably a bit worse than when I got her which I think is because I fed her to much which I have now cut back on, I read she should have enough food to cover her shell is this a good guide? I just want her to be as healthy and happy as possible wish I hadn't taken everything the old owner told us as gospel and stuck to it. I was told calcium on every meal and she wasn't eating it with the calcium powder on very well so spoke to pet shop and the sold me some liquid calcium to put in her water is this ok? Many thanks

P.s so sorry for all the questions but even one answer will help me to get Shelly healthy and happy

Hello and welcome.

Food does not cause shell issues. Growth in conditions that are too dry does.

Calcium should only be supplemented about twice a week. Less in some cases. Too much calcium can cause an imbalance in other minerals and trace elements. Putting calcium in the water might lead your tortoise to not drink, and dehydration is a far more pressing issue than lack of calcium over time.

Sand is never a good substrate.

There is nothing wrong with using vivariums for tortoises. That is a persistent old myth that has been repeated on far too many websites and in far too many books. Vivs are actually better for baby tortoises as they help keep things warmer and more humid than open topped tables, which is what a baby of any species needs.

10x6' sounds like a great size enclosure for most species. The window should be fine as long as the whole enclosure doesn't over heat and the tortoise can get out of the sun. Only your thermometer can answer this for you.

I didn't hear any mention of UV in your set up. What are you using?

We can give more specific advice once we know what species you've got and where you are. Until then here is some good general tortoise info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[annexadi]

Thank You everyone she is a horsefieldand 8 years old now and she is about 6 inches long and about 5 wide. She has a uv light in her viv. I was told every meal for calcium and was worried because she was not eating it and the pet shops gave me the drops for the water. A outside enclosure is something I can look into and have build in the back and once I've got her happy inside I'll be back for more tips. I was told her shell would flatten out as she gets older which I have read this won't happen. I just need to get her healthy and happy thanks

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome.