Humidity

[Aleksei]

I have a four-month-old Russian. I am working on getting something to close his habitat up, but right now, I don't have anything. Should I keep his substrate wet? The humidity monitors say it's about 60%. I have a mister that goes off every three hours, and I hand-spray. He tends to sleep on the dry, dark side, but not always. He loves to burrow on the damp side. Can the substrate be too wet for him? He seems lethargic this morning, so I'm worried.

 

[Aleksei]

There is also this from his mouth that I noticed after his morning soak.

 

[Tom]

I have a four-month-old Russian. I am working on getting something to close his habitat up, but right now, I don't have anything. Should I keep his substrate wet? The humidity monitors say it's about 60%. I have a mister that goes off every three hours, and I hand-spray. He tends to sleep on the dry, dark side, but not always. He loves to burrow on the damp side. Can the substrate be too wet for him? He seems lethargic this morning, so I'm worried.

Yes, it can be too wet. The substrate should be damp, not wet. All that spraying is creating all sorts of cooling through evaporation. If you can't find a proper closed chamber, or can't afford one at the moment, get a grow tent to put over the current enclosure to hold in some heat and humidity without having to keep the substrate too wet or spray all the time.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I have a four-month-old Russian. I am working on getting something to close his habitat up, but right now, I don't have anything. Should I keep his substrate wet? The humidity monitors say it's about 60%. I have a mister that goes off every three hours, and I hand-spray. He tends to sleep on the dry, dark side, but not always. He loves to burrow on the damp side. Can the substrate be too wet for him? He seems lethargic this morning, so I'm worried.

Can you temporally cover the enclosure with something like a plastic sheet? Even if it is just for the night?

 

[Aleksei]

Can you temporally cover the enclosure with something like a plastic sheet? Even if it is just for the night?

I'm worried about a fire hazard with the heater. I'm not with him overnight, so I can't check on him.

 

[Aleksei]

Yes, it can be too wet. The substrate should be damp, not wet. All that spraying is creating all sorts of cooling through evaporation. If you can't find a proper closed chamber, or can't afford one at the moment, get a grow tent to put over the current enclosure to hold in some heat and humidity without having to keep the substrate too wet or spray all the time.

Do you have a recommendation for a grow tent that would be safe with his lights? I'm worried about melting everything I've seen on Amazon.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I'm worried about a fire hazard with the heater. I'm not with him overnight, so I can't check on him.

That is understandable, especially if the sheet would touch the heater.

 

[Tom]

Do you have a recommendation for a grow tent that would be safe with his lights? I'm worried about melting everything I've seen on Amazon.

I don't use those, so I'm not familiar with the brands or types. Hopefully someone who does use or recommend them can give you specific links. I use closed chamber enclosures to avoid all these problems.

You will need to safely hang or mount all your heating and lighting so that it cannot contact the grow tent. You can make a frame work out of PVC piping, 2x4s, or other such things to hang your lights from.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I use a green house and my light have not had any issues with the plastic. The domes for the lights don't even touch the green house plastic. I can feel the warmth on the plastic but it is not hot at all.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Do you have a recommendation for a grow tent that would be safe with his lights? I'm worried about melting everything I've seen on Amazon.

You could potentially fashion your own, maybe you’ll find some ideas in here!

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Aleksei]

I use a green house and my light have not had any issues with the plastic. The domes for the lights don't even touch the green house plastic. I can feel the warmth on the plastic but it is not hot at all.

What greenhouse do you use?

 

[Megatron's Mom]

What greenhouse do you use?

This one
Mini Greenhouse, Portable 99" x 51" x 37"Green House, Compatible with Raised Garden Bed Planters, Reinforced Waterproof and UV-Resistant Hot House for Indoor and Outdoor Use. Clear PE Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMPZK12T?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[Anastasia 22]

Gardzen Mini Greenhouse Heavy Duty Portable Green House, Clear Tent Small Greenhouse for Indoor Outdoor Plants 71.7”(L) x36.2”(W) x42.5”(H) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BT99FXMC?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I used this one, and it was a nightmare. No problems with heating although. You can hang the lamps, CHE on a top bar and it's secure.

 

[Aleksei]

Gardzen Mini Greenhouse Heavy Duty Portable Green House, Clear Tent Small Greenhouse for Indoor Outdoor Plants 71.7”(L) x36.2”(W) x42.5”(H) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BT99FXMC?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I used this one, and it was a nightmare. No problems with heating although. You can hang the lamps, CHE on a top bar and it's secure.

What made it a nightmare?

 

[Anastasia 22]

It was winter when I got it. It was challenging to keep the right temperature and humidity inside the tent. I had to heat the whole room, because two CHEs were not enough. Humidity was another headache. On a top of it, the plastic broke constantly where the zipper was. And, of course, it didn't look pretty in a middle of the bedroom.
But they're tortoise's keepers here for whom greenhouses work perfectly.