Is Tito pyramiding ?????

[El tortuga]

Tito will be four months on the 19th of this month, lately iv been noticing what I think is the start of pyramiding, dint know what else I can do that I'm not doing, hes in enclosed tub with iv and heat humidity stays 75 to 85 percent temp , I keep his encloser swampy and humid soak him in warm water on e to two times a day, please tell me if you think I'm overacting or need to change something...

 

[EllieMay]

Use a shell moisturizer! It makes a big difference even in perfect temps & high humidity..

 

[Melis]

What type of bulbs are you using? And how far away are they hung?

 

[El tortuga]

What type of bulbs are you using? And how far away are they hung?

and a 2 foot 6800k t5...what do you think? And about 17 to 18 inches away

 

[El tortuga]

? Nobody hu?

 

[Miscally]

? Nobody hu?

I don't think the Infa red bulb is good. But you need an expert. @Tom, @TechnoCheese @Yvonne

 

[El tortuga]

No red bulb, that's a ceramic heater, but thanks

 

[Tom]

The MVB is the clue. Those run too hot to work in a closed chamber, so that tells me your top is too open.

The MVBs also make high levels of IR-A which desiccates the carapaces and causes pyramiding.

Switch to a low wattage flood bulb from the hardware store and increase ambient temp during the day to reduce or discourage basking. Add a UV tube if needed, but in TX you should be able to get real sun most of the year.

 

[El tortuga]

The MVB is the clue. Those run too hot to work in a closed chamber, so that tells me your top is too open.

The MVBs also make high levels of IR-A which desiccates the carapaces and causes pyramiding.

Switch to a low wattage flood bulb from the hardware store and increase ambient temp during the day to reduce or discourage basking. Add a UV tube if needed, but in TX you should be able to get real sun most of the year.

Ok thank you Tom that I will do!

 

[El tortuga]

Ok thank you Tom that I will do!

Like a 45 watt or higher?

 

[Kristy1970]

Beautiful baby [emoji847]

 

[El tortuga]

Beautiful baby [emoji847]

ThaNk you,!!

 

[Markw84]

Like a 45 watt or higher?

I can only find 65 watt floods. They work fine. I actually have mine on a rheostat (dimmer) to dial in the correct temps. Be sure to get a FLOOD not a spot bulb.

 

[Tom]

Like a 45 watt or higher?

65 are common, but in my new Animal Plastics enclosures I had to go down to 45 watt bulbs and then over the summer when the reptile room heats up to 90 degrees every day, I switched to 25 watt round bulbs.

 

[Romeo Serback]

Use a shell moisturizer! It makes a big difference even in perfect temps & high humidity..

What kind of shell moisturizer is recommended? I'm curious.

 

[DeanS]

I'd lose the bulbs all together! You can make much better progress...including stopping the pyramiding dead in its tracks...by attaching a radiant heat panel to the ceiling of his enclosure! Bulbs and CHEs will desicate his shell mercilessly!

 

[El tortuga]

I'd lose the bulbs all together! You can make much better progress...including stopping the pyramiding dead in its tracks...by attaching a radiant heat panel to the ceiling of his enclosure! Bulbs and CHEs will desicate his shell mercilessly!

Really? Do u have a pic or link I can look at?

 

[DeanS]

Really? Do u have a pic or link I can look at?

This is the method I used ever since the Ivories back in 2014! Of course, you can upgrade as the get bigger! Tom started using AP cages...I just saw them in person the other day...the BEST! You'll wanna go there eventually...but you can hone your craft this way. All the UV they need will come from an hour or two in the sun...even if it's cold...if there's sun there's UV. Remember...the worst sunlight is always better than ANY bulb!

 

[DeanS]

What kind of shell moisturizer is recommended? I'm curious.

NONE! If kept properly, you won't need anything! If they pyramid...you're missing out on one or more elements! If you have to apply anything...and I don't recommend it...coconut oil is just about as perfect a lubricant, conditoner, moisturizer that there is! A pressurized water bottle is great! You can walk up to them and spritz them whenever you want!

 

[DeanS]

No red bulb, that's a ceramic heater, but thanks

Ceramic Heat Emitters are just as bad as incandescent bulbs!