Humidity and light info

[Luvchunx]

Hello I have recently got a cherry head around 4 to 5months old, I was told to spray the ground of the enclosure 2 to 3 times a day for humidity, but then I was told by someone else to only spray a section and then mix the substrate. Also I think my lights are to high up and that I should hang them but I'm not sure if then it would be too close I will attach a picture please advise.

 

[MysticCaribou]

Congratulations on your new tortoise. You need to enclose the sides and top of your habitat in order to obtain the proper humidity. As it is, it's not appropriate for a redfoot. Why do you have two lights?

 

[Luvchunx]

I didn't think the cage would be suitable but the assistant manager at the pet store said it would work as a cheaper alternative to glass. One light is UV and the other is for heat.

 

[JoesMum]

I didn't think the cage would be suitable but the assistant manager at the pet store said it would work as a cheaper alternative to glass. One light is UV and the other is for heat.

Redfoits are forest torts. They require low level UVB (a 5.0 tube), high humidity and constant warmth day and night. You need a closed chamber to retain both heat and moisture - not an open sided cage.

Pet stores rarely have any idea how to keep tortoises. They’re in business to sell you things.

The redfoot keepers like @ZEROPILOT and @Anyfoot are good people to make recommendations

I also recommend you read this care guide
http://tortoiselibrary.com/species-information-2/chelonoidis/

 

[Luvchunx]

Thank you for the info I didn't feel like This was right. So would you suggest a 40 gal glass enclosure with a closed top and my bulb is a 13watt for the UV.

 

[JoesMum]

You need an enclosure with the biggest floor area you can get. The volume in gallons means nothing; it could all be height. How much floor space is there?

 

[Luvchunx]

The floor space in the glass enclosure I saw didn't look too big to me was longer than it was wide.

 

[Chizbad]

There are many examples of great “closed chamber” enclosures on these forums... in most cases, it’s cheaper to build something that would suit your needs perfectly than to buy an aquarium/tank. My enclosure for example ($70 total)... thanks to these forums my little one seems to thrive in this environment

 

[ZEROPILOT]

There are many examples of great “closed chamber” enclosures on these forums... in most cases, it’s cheaper to build something that would suit your needs perfectly than to buy an aquarium/tank. My enclosure for example ($70 total)... thanks to these forums my little one seems to thrive in this environment View attachment 223142

This looks like a fine example.
The lights are INSIDE the enclosure and it is a closed system.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thank you for the info I didn't feel like This was right. So would you suggest a 40 gal glass enclosure with a closed top and my bulb is a 13watt for the UV.

Do you have a florescent tube or a coiled bulb?
The tubes are what we would collectively recommend.
The coiled bulbs, we caution against.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I didn't think the cage would be suitable but the assistant manager at the pet store said it would work as a cheaper alternative to glass. One light is UV and the other is for heat.

Pet shops try to sell what they have for sale.
That cage won't be suitable at all.
I use "reptile" aquariums. Because they are larger in diameter and shorter sided than glass aquariums designed for fishes.
I then make a hinged, plexiglass lid with an 18" 5.0 florescent tube light fixture mounted to the underside, so that it is inside the enclosure. Not sitting on top.
I find that with just the heat from the UV lamp and transformer, that the enclosures run about 82 degrees. Perfect. The humidity is retained because it it closed. About 85%.
This is what I do.
You may need to tweak that a bit for your situation.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

This is one currently not being used.
The lamp fixture isn't visible and it's all dry inside.
It's been unneeded now for many months

 

[Luvchunx]

Thank all you for your help and suggestions, I'm going to try and return what I have now for a glass reptile enclosure hopefully all goes well.

 

[Alex Z]

Thank all you for your help and suggestions, I'm going to try and return what I have now for a glass reptile enclosure hopefully all goes well.

Your best bet, Build one. Cheaper and you control the environment.