Humidity is a little low (ideas)

[cmacusa3]

I've got Abrams in the Zoo Med house, I have the top sealed with a clear plastic and I'm getting around 70% humidity. I've read that 80% is ideal, does anyone have suggestions of a few other things I can do? I have a 100 watt heat light and the UVB 10.0 reptisun

 

[Tom]

First thing I would do is ditch the coil bulb before it burns his eyes.

Next I'd start planning a bigger and better enclosure. No fans of the ZooMed house here on this forum...

How are you measuring your humidity and where? Those stick on round dial gauges are notoriously inaccurate and unreliable. You can get a digital thermometer and hygrometer from Lowes for about $20 with a wireless remote probe that can be moved around the enclosure to check temp and humidity at tortoise level.

What species and size tortoise are we talking about here?

 

[Delilah1623]

I took a fish tank filter bag and put a small glass bowl in the bottom so it doesn't drip. Filled the rest with sphagnum moss and spray that down twice a day.

 

[cmacusa3]

A very small Sulcata, What bulb would you suggest? I will go to lowes today and pick up the thermometer and Hygrometer.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[cmacusa3]

I have a very big outdoor enclosure for my 3-Toed and Ornates and when Abrams gets big enough he will have plenty of land to roam, I have over 100 acres to built him a spot. This is only a temp house for now.

 

[Tom]

A very small Sulcata, What bulb would you suggest? I will go to lowes today and pick up the thermometer and Hygrometer.

Where are you? If your tortoise can get real sunshine year round, you won't need indoor UV. If you have frozen winters, you will need some UV. A mercury vapor bulb might be too hot for your set up, so I'd go with a long 10.0 bulb in a reflector hood over your enclosure, in addition to the heat lamp you already have.

Read the link that rus/sul/tort posted above plus these two:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[cmacusa3]

I'm in Oklahoma so yes we have frozen winters. Thanks! So I should ditch the reptisun 10.0 UV bulb I have and get a another 10.0 in a reflector hood and then get a 65 watt incandescent flood bulb for my heat?

 

[cmacusa3]

Maybe it would be best if someone could post me a picture of the 2 bulbs they suggest. I've had my box turtles for over 5 years and with no issues but I want to make everything right for my Sulcata. Thanks for all the help, you guys are great!

 

[cmacusa3]

Is this ok for the digital thermometer and hygrometer. Now if someone could post pics of the UV light and Heat light I should be using. Thanks.

 

[Delilah1623]

...

 

[Tom]

I'm in Oklahoma so yes we have frozen winters. Thanks! So I should ditch the reptisun 10.0 UV bulb I have and get a another 10.0 in a reflector hood and then get a 65 watt incandescent flood bulb for my heat?

Yes. The coil type cfl bulbs have been known to sometimes damage their eyes. The long tube types don't.

Thank you Delilah for the assist!

I like to buy my bulbs from this guy:
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com

 

[cmacusa3]

thanks for all the help! Should I stick with my 100 watt for heating or switch to the 65 watt incandescent flood bulb?

 

[Tom]

thanks for all the help! Should I stick with my 100 watt for heating or switch to the 65 watt incandescent flood bulb?

Only your thermometer can answer that question. Everyone's enclosures are a little different. If the 65 gets it done, then I prefer lower wattage bulbs. If your 100 is currently doing the job, no reason to switch.

 

[cmacusa3]

Thanks for all the help. I found these little jewels at work and now they there headed to the house.

 

[cmacusa3]

Thanks for all the help and advice! I have humidity between 80-83, with basking around 98. my other temps range 75 and up. I changed out the UV light and I'm very please with my set up. Now its time to start designing my outdoor enclosure.

 

[cmacusa3]

Moved in! Abrams seems happy with the new place, Moves around a lot more now with the better temps and humidity. Here's a few pics.

 

[Delilah1623]

Love his bath.... Turtle soup!! Lol