Kits

[Talley]

im looking to get a sulcata in about a month or so and came across this kit. I've never had a tortoise but I've done my research. I live on a large piece of land in the country so will have plenty of space when the time comes but Back to my original question, would this kit come with everything I need to start out with.
Thanks
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/products/Grassland-Tortoise-Starter-Set.html

 

[jaizei]

What type of enclosure will you be using?

 

[wellington]

Nothing showed for me. However for a hatchling, get one of the big Christmas tree storage boxes should be on sale after Christmas. This will be much cheaper and last a while. Then make it into a closed chamber, by cutting holes in the lid, just big enough for the lights and heat to fit over. Line the rim of the wholes with tin foi!, this keels plastic from melting, and afix the heat light or che right over the hole, while the fixture rests on the rim of the hold.
Be sure to follow Toms threads below in my post for raising a smooth healthy Sully

 

[Talley]

I have an empty 40 gal Aquarium that I was going to use
The kit from the link does not come with a tank but suppose to have every Thing else
Did the the link show up?
And I have been reading threads on here for a few days including Toms. So much valuable info here

 

[Tom]

I've never had a tortoise but I've done my research.

Hello and welcome. I read that you've found my info helpful, and I'm glad for that, but be aware that most of the info "out there" for sulcatas is old, outdated and wrong.

I would not use or recommend most of the stuff in that kit. My recommendations are here:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[DeanS]

Hi Talley and welcome! What part of the country are you from...assuming you're in America. Where you are will make ALL the difference in how you should keep your sulcata! I have acre sheet at the top of the sulcata page...and the three links Tom provided just above me will fill in ALL the blanks. Good luck!

 

[Yvonne G]

Here's what the kit includes:

The basic package includes the following:

ZooMed Deep Dome Ceramic Light Fixture
ZooMed Small Lamp Stand (suspends light above cage)
ZooMed Powersun Mercury Vapor Bulb
Small Heat Pad (ZooMed or ExoTerra Brand)
Repashy SuperVeggie Supplement
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food
ZooMed Tortoise Block
8qt Bag Cypress Mulch Bedding
ZooMed 12" Bunch Grass Plant (3 EA)
PetTech Medium Rock Food Dish
Mini Hickory Hollow Water Bowl (shallow)
ZooMed Medium Habba Hut
ZooMed Thermometer and Humidity Indicator
24 Hour Basic Timer

I'll take these items one by one:

ZooMed Deep Dome Ceramic Light fixture
If this were a 10 or 12" dome I would say yes, however, I don't like the deep dome fixtures. They don't allow enough space to dissipate the heat

ZooMed Small Lamp Stand
Yes! These stands are extremely handy for hanging the fixtures show they shine straight down

ZooMed Power Sun Mercury Vapor Bulb
This is another yes. This bulb provides UVB and heat all in one bulb

Small Heat Pad (ZooMed or ExoTerra Brand)
I don't think a heat pad is necessary for small tortoises

Repashy SuperVeggie Supplement
This is a good supplement

ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food
This is an excellent manufactured diet

ZooMed Tortoise Block
I've never seen a tortoise interested in these blocks before

8qt Bag Cypress Mulch Bedding
This is a good substrate

ZooMed 12" Bunch Grass Plant (3 EA)
This is good

PetTech Medium Rock Food Dish
Mini Hickory Hollow Water Bowl (shallow)
I don't like these for young tortoises. A piece of slate or tile for feeding and a clay plant saucer for water is best

ZooMed Medium Habba Hut
this is ok

ZooMed Thermometer and Humidity Indicator
This is good (but the point and shoot infra red ones are better)


24 Hour Basic Timer
This is good, but you can buy them at a home improvement store for around $5

You can pick up quite a few of the above items singly from hardware stores at the cheapest prices. I imagine if you do that, you can beat the $170 price tag of the kit.

 

[Yvonne G]

I guess I didn't really answer your question.

Yes, you need the ceramic light fixture, but a slightly different one. Yes, the lamp stand and bulb are needed. You don't really need the supplement or manufactured diet. You do need the food and water recepticles. You will need a hiding place, a thermometer and humidity gauge, but the point and shoot kind are better. Timers are helpful.

So, yes, the kit includes most of what you will need to set up a tortoise, just basically not the right stuff.

 

[sibi]

im looking to get a sulcata in about a month or so and came across this kit. I've never had a tortoise but I've done my research. I live on a large piece of land in the country so will have plenty of space when the time comes but Back to my original question, would this kit come with everything I need to start out with.
Thanks
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/products/Grassland-Tortoise-Starter-Set.html

Nothing shows up at the site you provides; however, if it's at least a 2' x 4' enclosure that cane be closed to allow heat and humidity to stay in, than by all means, get it. But, like Barbara (Wellington) said, you can go cheaper and provide the same environment with a big red container with a lid. Your sulcata tort will grow fast and will outgrow the expensive enclosure probably within a year. I recommend looking at some enclosures that Tom built for his torts, and make adjustments for lighting and humidity. I use a fogging mist made by ZooMed, I think. It works well in a closed chamber. Then, when the tort begins to get bigger, make plans to have a large enclosure built so that you only have to build it once for years to come

 

[Talley]

Thanks everyone! I'm in northeast Arkansas.
So it would be best to buy the items individually. The 40 gal aquarium is an extra one I had and I have several totes that are larger as well. Thought it would be nice to get kit that had everything but will go buy each item separately.
Still have plenty of learning before committing to getting one but it's a step in the right direction

 

[wellington]

The aquarium will work to for a while, as long as you already have it. I wouldn't suggest to go buy one though, as they are not cheap and are only really good for 6 months to maybe a year. Tortoise supply is a good source to buy from, specially their seed and foodcitems and their large heat mat for adults

 

[Tom]

Thanks everyone! I'm in northeast Arkansas.
So it would be best to buy the items individually. The 40 gal aquarium is an extra one I had and I have several totes that are larger as well. Thought it would be nice to get kit that had everything but will go buy each item separately.
Still have plenty of learning before committing to getting one but it's a step in the right direction

In addition to the basking bulb, you are also going to need night heat. A ceramic heating element set on a thermostat will maintain your ambient, day and night.

 

[leigti]

I like the zoo med lamp stand but I think the small one is the kind that you jattach to the side of the aquarium. That would work while you are using the aquarium but when the tortoise outgrows it you might need the large lamp stand. Might be cheaper just to buy the large one and be done with it. I use them for the mercury vapor bulbs and CHE. I got the fixture which is around 11 inches wide at the feed store in the chicken section.
I also got these at The hardware store.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome
The members here can certainly save you a lot of money and give you much safer options for your tort.