How is this enclosure?

[catprincx]

Hello! Im preparing to get a baby Sulcata soon and I just want to make sure everything I set up is correct. I have a 60w flukers flood bulb which gets the basking spot to 96 F and the low end at 80F. A 100w ceramic heat emitter with a thermostat set to 80F, coco coir substrate and I have a potted pothos that I’ll be adding later. Humidity goes from 80% to 99% depending on when I add more water to the substrate. I have a bag of premium pasture mix seeds on the way to start growing in a separate garden I have prepared in my backyard, along with various hibiscus plants and multiple opuntia cactus plants growing. Im also going to bring them outside during bath time to receive sun instead of having a uvb bulb. The enclosure is small but I’ll upgrade as they grow I just wanted to get one last use out of this enclosure before getting rid of it. How is it? Do I need to fix anything? Add or remove?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Two things come to mind. Are those saucers ceramic or plastic? Also, watch out for those plastic plants, your tortoise might try to eat them.

 

[catprincx]

They are plastic I had a bunch of them for my potted plants should I switch them out for terracotta? I’ll keep an eye on the plastic plants, I’ll probably eventually replace them with my never ending amount of pothos.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

They are plastic I had a bunch of them for my potted plants should I switch them out for terracotta? I’ll keep an eye on the plastic plants, I’ll probably eventually replace them with my never ending amount of pothos.

Terracotta is usually recommended since it is less slippery.

 

[catprincx]

Alright I’ll switch thank you!

 

[Tort25]

I wuld personally make a bigger area for you tortoise to hide

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Looks a nice little starter home to me!second that about the dishes, and I’d probably add one more hide, feel free to check out this thread as I included a bit on maintaining the humidity/substrate

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[catprincx]

Looks a nice little starter home to me!second that about the dishes, and I’d probably add one more hide, feel free to check out this thread as I included a bit on maintaining the humidity/substrate

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

Thank you! I already switched to terracotta and im going to make another hide. I’ll also definitely read that!

 

[Tom]

Hello! Im preparing to get a baby Sulcata soon and I just want to make sure everything I set up is correct. I have a 60w flukers flood bulb which gets the basking spot to 96 F and the low end at 80F. A 100w ceramic heat emitter with a thermostat set to 80F, coco coir substrate and I have a potted pothos that I’ll be adding later. Humidity goes from 80% to 99% depending on when I add more water to the substrate. I have a bag of premium pasture mix seeds on the way to start growing in a separate garden I have prepared in my backyard, along with various hibiscus plants and multiple opuntia cactus plants growing. Im also going to bring them outside during bath time to receive sun instead of having a uvb bulb. The enclosure is small but I’ll upgrade as they grow I just wanted to get one last use out of this enclosure before getting rid of it. How is it? Do I need to fix anything? Add or remove?
View attachment 389358

Overall very good. Here are my suggestions:
1. Coco coir is too messy. Orchid bark works much better. If you want to use the coir, hand pack it firmly to reduce the mess.
2. Just get rid of the plastic plants. It's not a question of "if" they will be eaten, it is "when". Potted plants on top of a hide or hanging from the ceiling work great. Alternatively, I clip mulberry, lavatera, or hibiscus branches, or grape vines and throw those in for hiding and grazing. I replace them every other day, or as needed.
3. You need a proper humid hide. The flower pot on its side is way too open.

 

[catprincx]

Overall very good. Here are my suggestions:
1. Coco coir is too messy. Orchid bark works much better. If you want to use the coir, hand pack it firmly to reduce the mess.
2. Just get rid of the plastic plants. It's not a question of "if" they will be eaten, it is "when". Potted plants on top of a hide or hanging from the ceiling work great. Alternatively, I clip mulberry, lavatera, or hibiscus branches, or grape vines and throw those in for hiding and grazing. I replace them every other day, or as needed.
3. You need a proper humid hide. The flower pot on its side is way too open.

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll do these things. I’ll get rid of the fake plants and replace the pot with a better hide. I would love to add mulberry to my collection of edible plants but im having no luck finding it in the nurseries around me.

 

[TammyJ]

Please be sure to get your baby from a reputable breeder, so you will have the best chance to get a healthy and properly started tortoise. Good luck!

 

[catprincx]

Please be sure to get your baby from a reputable breeder, so you will have the best chance to get a healthy and properly started tortoise. Good luck!

Yes! Im getting them from someone from the forum, NorCal tortoise guy