humid environment question

[turtlelady80]

So this is my first time dealing with fungus on a RF hatchling. I took care of it and it has healed perfectly but Im trying to figure out "the cause". I read it's because it's too wet. Fine. I've raised RFs in this same type of environment with no issues before. Why all of a sudden now. So I'm keeping it dry (as in the substrate) but I need humidity. I added a container of water under the heat lamp but it only gets up to 70%. I mist, it goes up to 90% for about an hour and then back down. How can I keep a steady 80%. BTW it's a fully enclosed enclosure. So there should be a simple solution... I'm just used to humid hides and humid damp areas in the enclosure that they like to nestle in. But now the fungus is a game changer and need some advice.

 

[ascott]

Why don't you set up part of the enclosure as a warm humid area/side and then let the other side gradually lead to a cool dry area? I know that this works for the Redfoot torts here....it is funny, they always seem to retreat to the cool dry area more times that not.....

 

[tortdad]

What sub straight do you have. I have a few inches of soil and the moss on top. I move the moss away from the corners and pour water directly on the soil, the move the moss back. This adds plenty of moisture for humidity and leaves the top of the moss mostly dry.


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)

 

[wellington]

What I have learned on here is with RF you do need to keep the top layer dry. Many do the same as tortdad mentioned.

 

[turtlelady80]

Why don't you set up part of the enclosure as a warm humid area/side and then let the other side gradually lead to a cool dry area? I know that this works for the Redfoot torts here....it is funny, they always seem to retreat to the cool dry area more times that not.....

your right, they do seem to retreat to the cool dry side. The way you mentioned was exactly how I had it set up. I had the one hot/warmer side the humid hide box, the damp cypress mulch/sphagnum moss mix etc... then at the other end it was cool and dry. I give my torts "hot/humid", "warm/humid" and "cool/dry" so whatever they want, they can choose It always worked.... until now lol.

 

[turtlelady80]

What sub straight do you have. I have a few inches of soil and the moss on top. I move the moss away from the corners and pour water directly on the soil, the move the moss back. This adds plenty of moisture for humidity and leaves the top of the moss mostly dry.
I use cypress mulch and sphagnum moss...but makes sense to leave the top layer dry. Thanks!


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)

 

[turtlelady80]

What I have learned on here is with RF you do need to keep the top layer dry. Many do the same as tortdad mentioned.

Thanks wellington! Makes sense!

 

[immayo]

What substrate do you use?

The only time I ever had this issue was when my first tort was on one of the wood chip substrates. He would bury down to the bottom and lay in the resting water that had seeped through.

I hate when situations like this occur, where they all are kept equally and one has an issue but the others don't. Keeps us tort parents on our toes!

 

[turtlelady80]

What substrate do you use?

The only time I ever had this issue was when my first tort was on one of the wood chip substrates. He would bury down to the bottom and lay in the resting water that had seeped through.

I hate when situations like this occur, where they all are kept equally and one has an issue but the others don't. Keeps us tort parents on our toes!

You know what...I think that might be exactly what happened. And I never had a problem until now. The water must have seeped down through the cypress mulch and left kind of like a puddle. Because I did start pouring water in there. Not a lot but just enough to wet it. Well...I learned something thanks for your reply!

 

[tortdad]

You know what...I think that might be exactly what happened. And I never had a problem until now. The water must have seeped down through the cypress mulch and left kind of like a puddle. Because I did start pouring water in there. Not a lot but just enough to wet it. Well...I learned something thanks for your reply!

We all learn from each other, that's what makes this place so special. Now it's your job to pass this info to the next person asking humidity questions


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)

 

[immayo]

You're welcome!

I do have an off topic question..
Did you say in a previous thread you have some of Jeff's hypos?!? I have four of his and two hets from another source!

 

[ascott]

Here I use 5-6 inches of peat moss (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Premier-3-cu-ft-Peat-Moss-70976040/100626048)...wet down to begin with, then pressed down by hand firmly all over the entire enclosure....then add tortoise and watch the moss fly...the tort be covered in it and then dig down and settle in...add some pill bugs and earthworms in the moist area---this allow for fun digging and hunting for the tort....face full of substrate but happy when they find a treat...lol...

 

[turtlelady80]

You're welcome!

I do from e an off topic question..
Did you say in a previous thread you have some of Jeff's hypos?!? I have four of his and two hets from another source!

Cool!! Yeah, i have 3 hypos/1 het from Jeff. And 4 hets from someone else. I LOVE MY REDFOOTS