Holding humidity

[lisa127]

Thanks very much, Tom. I have a regular heat/UVA bulb that I believe is 65 or 75 watts that I could replace my MVB with, that I had no troubles with when it comes to humidity. I want to do what is best for my tortoise. I was worried if he was not out every day it would not be good for him without a UVB bulb but now that you say a few times a week that is definitely do-able for summers here in WI. (It has been very rainy this summer so I did not think I could get him out every day hence why I purchased the MVB to use this summer.) When we begin building a table for my tortoise I will make sure to follow your advice. I really appreciate your help!

Yeah, a 65 or 75 watt is definitely much better!

 

[Tom]

Down at my latitude, it has been my experience that 30 minutes of sunshine twice a week is enough to meet their UV needs. More is better, and you might need more that far North too. So with a few hours of outside time spread out over a week, you should be fine over the summer.

Be sure your outside enclosure has adequate shade so your tortoise doesn't cook. I also had good success burying a small wooden hide in my outdoor russian sunning enclosures and my small russians seemed to prefer that to digging.

 

[Tyanna]

Here is my enclosure right now. My new temperature readers are definitely more accurate and my husband is picking up one with a wireless probe today as well. I haven't been able to test the humidity/temperature on the basking/hot side with my MVB yet, so I will be able to do that today. I do realize after adding the proper water dish there is less room, so my husband and I are building a nice new enclosure for him as we speak. Thanks for all the help once again!

 

[lisa127]

I never use the probe kind, but I know many people do. I just use my temperature gun. Good luck on the new enclosure!!

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Where do you live? Some places we are sun starved and need every available photon.

 

[Tyanna]

Where do you live? Some places we are sun starved and need every available photon.

Not sure who you are asking, but I live in Southeast Wisconsin.

 

[Tyanna]

Ok update, with the proper temperature readers my 160 watt bulb is 1 foot and 5 inches hanging above my tank and it is 91 degrees underneath it. My digital thermometer is sitting on the substrate. Is this STILL incorrect? My cool side says 77.

 

[Tyanna]

He still is mostly keeping one eye closed and the other one is looking a little watery. I'm still going to switch it out for a way lower wattage.