Humidity - You all were right....I was wrong....

[RedFootMom]

Hello everyone. I posted pictures of my tort table a few weeks back and several of you suggested a cover. It's not that I didn't listen but since this enormous table is part of my bedroom I really wanted to keep the open top. You were right about what a struggle it was going to be to keep the humidity levels up high enough for my first tort: a Cherryhead hatchling. I am averaging only 70% and at times it dips lower.
As one person suggested - with the A/C or Heater on, it doesn't matter that I live in humid Florida. Having with turned on zaps all the moisture out of the air.
I purchased a humidifier this week and just got my distilled water and 1 5/8 X 1 1/4 Clear Tubing from Lowe's. We're going to rig that up tomorrow and I have Plexiglass for the top of the table. There will be about 12" that will still be open to accomodate the light, but the other 6 1/2' of the table will be covered.
Hopefully this will solve all my humidity woes.

 

[ascott]

How exciting....please let us know how it works out

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There will be about 12" that will still be open to accomodate the light, but the other 6 1/2' of the table will be covered.

I have one suggestion D) you may want to plan to measure down the length of the 6 1/2 to about the middle and also plan an opening for a low watt CHE or black night light to make sure that since you are bumping entire enclosure humidity that the furthest darkest corner does not become a cold wet place, you know what I mean? Or perhaps even bury a heated cable in the furthest area?? Just thought I would share as this popped in my head after I hit the post on my last...

 

[stinax182]

yeah i had this problem. i found some thick plastic and attached it with Velcro for easy access. plexiglass was too expensive for me i agree with the previous advice, check your temps...anything below 80 and wet may be too cool.

 

[wellington]

Totally agree with ascott. You don't want a humid and cold tortoise, that equals a sick tortoise.

 

[Redfoot NERD]

Use this as your model - http://www.redfoots.com/emitter/color.htm

You can modify as needed!

Quite frankly I would start with a much smaller tub for a hatchling redfoot.. and eventually he / they will grow into that table. You could save that big cover for later.. and it would be much easier to manage a smaller enclosure.

Don't get me wrong - I'm all for lots of space - lets keep it simple for now.. huh? huh?

Let us know please...

 

[ascott]

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-24768.html

Also one of my fav fantasy set ups.....

 

[Redfoot NERD]

Terryo is best for the plants.. no doubt!

I was showing how to configure the lighting/heat-emitter. It can be done with the "clear-type" cover...

 

[RedFootMom]

Use this as your model - http://www.redfoots.com/emitter/color.htm

You can modify as needed!

Quite frankly I would start with a much smaller tub for a hatchling redfoot.. and eventually he / they will grow into that table. You could save that big cover for later.. and it would be much easier to manage a smaller enclosure.

Don't get me wrong - I'm all for lots of space - lets keep it simple for now.. huh? huh?

Let us know please...

I completely get what you're saying. I'm in so deep with this tort table investment. I'm a bit obsessed with making it perfect for Scarlett. I'm going to order the waterproof heated rope from big apple herps because I am concerned of the cooler side temps now that we're getting some winter weather.
If I can't get it together with the ropes, thermostat, humidifier and top cover I will definitely take your advice and go smaller.