David Norris
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2014
- Messages
- 5
Hello everyone.
I'm Dave from Ohio.
My 10 year old son & I are looking to get our first tortoise.
Went to the local mom & pop pet store, which had two (I'm assuming) Russians in
very sad shape. Even I as a total newbie could tell they weren't treated very well.
"On Sale" for $130.00 each.
The local Petsmart had one (I'm assuming) Russian which was actually moving around &
looked much, much healthier than the previous store for $119.00.
I bought neither but did buy.....
1. Zoo Med combo pack-Reptisun 5.0 UVB & 100w Repti basking Spot lamp.
(I made the mistake of thinking it was one bulb... Basking/UVB)
2. Zoo Med Mini Deep Dome lamp fixture.
(fits the basking bulb, but not the UVB)
So, obviously I need another fixture.
3. 23 liter bag of Zoo Med Eco Earth loose coconut fiber substrate.
(recommended by the Petsmart employee.
4. Here's my other mistake... 55 gallon glass aquarium.
Now on for sale on Craigslist because of what I've read on here & other places.
There is a like new Zoo Med tortoise house on Craigslist near me for $65.00
But I'm also considering building a table.
5. Exo Terra calcium powder.
6. Zoo Med extra Large Repto Ramp bowl.
Anyway, as a total newbie, I need advice.
Besides building the table.....
I need another fixture for that UVB bulb & a timer for the bulbs.
Two temp/humidity gauges.
Maybe a night time heat source because it gets mighty cold at night during the winter months.
I also plan on building a hide & basking platform out of rocks.
So, what am I missing? Are those bulbs an adequate start?
Want to get everything right before I bring home my first tortoise.
Which leads me to my other problem... Where to get one.
From what I've read, a Russian or a Hermanns would be best for a first time owner,
especially in an Ohio climate.
I don't like the idea of getting one from Petsmart that's wild caught.
Would it be better to have one shipped?
Doesn't sound much better to me, but what are my other options?
Local Craigslist has plenty of Sulcatus, but I do not have the room or the experience to
keep one.
Which is the lesser of two evils?
Anyway, If you've read this far... Sorry, & thanks for any advice.
It felt good to just write that all down.
Jeez, lots of choices, money & problems and I don't even have a tortoise yet.
I'm Dave from Ohio.
My 10 year old son & I are looking to get our first tortoise.
Went to the local mom & pop pet store, which had two (I'm assuming) Russians in
very sad shape. Even I as a total newbie could tell they weren't treated very well.
"On Sale" for $130.00 each.
The local Petsmart had one (I'm assuming) Russian which was actually moving around &
looked much, much healthier than the previous store for $119.00.
I bought neither but did buy.....
1. Zoo Med combo pack-Reptisun 5.0 UVB & 100w Repti basking Spot lamp.
(I made the mistake of thinking it was one bulb... Basking/UVB)
2. Zoo Med Mini Deep Dome lamp fixture.
(fits the basking bulb, but not the UVB)
So, obviously I need another fixture.
3. 23 liter bag of Zoo Med Eco Earth loose coconut fiber substrate.
(recommended by the Petsmart employee.
4. Here's my other mistake... 55 gallon glass aquarium.
Now on for sale on Craigslist because of what I've read on here & other places.
There is a like new Zoo Med tortoise house on Craigslist near me for $65.00
But I'm also considering building a table.
5. Exo Terra calcium powder.
6. Zoo Med extra Large Repto Ramp bowl.
Anyway, as a total newbie, I need advice.
Besides building the table.....
I need another fixture for that UVB bulb & a timer for the bulbs.
Two temp/humidity gauges.
Maybe a night time heat source because it gets mighty cold at night during the winter months.
I also plan on building a hide & basking platform out of rocks.
So, what am I missing? Are those bulbs an adequate start?
Want to get everything right before I bring home my first tortoise.
Which leads me to my other problem... Where to get one.
From what I've read, a Russian or a Hermanns would be best for a first time owner,
especially in an Ohio climate.
I don't like the idea of getting one from Petsmart that's wild caught.
Would it be better to have one shipped?
Doesn't sound much better to me, but what are my other options?
Local Craigslist has plenty of Sulcatus, but I do not have the room or the experience to
keep one.
Which is the lesser of two evils?
Anyway, If you've read this far... Sorry, & thanks for any advice.
It felt good to just write that all down.
Jeez, lots of choices, money & problems and I don't even have a tortoise yet.
Russians are awesome 
