- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
- Messages
- 65
Hi everyone!
I just requested to join your group on Facebook, and also just register here as well.
I have a Leopard Tortoise hatching do here, at his new home, sometime in the next few days, (weather permitting how soon!)
I have been doing my research for a couple weeks now, and have a bunch of stuff ready, but still have a few questions that I need some help with! I was preffering the Facebook group, as I've seen here, you can get some rather "unfriendly" -know-it-all types who seem out to make everyone but them look uneducated! I just would like helpful tips and recommendations, from the average Tort owner with their own experiences.
I will list the items I have ready for our little guy, and then ask my question thereafter.
I was at first looking into an open habitat, such as a large Cement Mixing Tub, but then went with a 20 gallons tank with lid "for now", to better control humidity. I am going to add a full scenery image to the back of the tank, and then maybe a 3"-4" border along the bottom front and sides of the tank, so the glass will not be cause for stress.
I have 2 ceramic lamps, 1 with a Powersun 100w UVA/UVB and Heat Bulb, and one with a Infrared Bulb for night time. A timer for the lights.
Also, a heating pad that sticks to the bottom of the tank, and a temperature and humidity gauge.
I have various accessories, such as a half log, a large water basin with ramp, a feeding dish (2 actually), a spray bottle, Retivite bottle, Repitsafe for water, (not sure if I need either of the last 2, it was thrown in with my kit.)
Now, as for substrates, boy! I've read so much info on Substrates, and they were all diffent. This was my hardest thing to deal with! At first, I "thought" most people recommended a mix OS play sand and loam, or organic top soil, but then I read to stay away from sand due to impaction. LOL! Tough situation!
Anyways, what I ended up with, and maybe will use a little of both, is:
Organic Top Soil, Orchid Moss, and Orchid Bark.
MY QUESTION:
With everything I have, what is the best way to set up the tank? For example, where should I place each light, and where should the half log, that I will somewhat fill with the moss for a humid hide, be in regards to the lights? Where should the food dish go? I'm assuming not directly under the UVB/Heat lamp.. Where should the water tray (for soaking) be placed? Under the heat lamp?
Also, This may be a dumb question, the tank is around 20"x12", if I sit the large 100w Powersun UVA/UVB Heat lamp directly on top of the tank screen cover, and half say 3" of substrate in the tank bottom, would that heat beaming down be too much on such a short area? As in, can the temp peak higher than 100, or only as high as the bulb? (sorry if a lame question! Haha.. I don't want to burn my baby! )
Please, if there is anything you feel would benefit me in knowing or doing, please let me know. Most importantly, I would like to know how and where to set up the tank environment.
I'm not sure how I will get your responses, I'm guessing if someone replies, I'll receive an email.. Hopefully! Haha
I also have a few pics of my little leo from the breeder, but I doubt I can post them here via my iPhone, so I'll have to share them on the Facebook group once I'm accepted!
Thanks to anyone that has taken the time to ready lengthy post, and further more, thanks to any that supply helpful tips!
I'm very excited, and cant wait to have my baby here! I just hope I get everything prepared perfectly, with your help!
I just requested to join your group on Facebook, and also just register here as well.
I have a Leopard Tortoise hatching do here, at his new home, sometime in the next few days, (weather permitting how soon!)
I have been doing my research for a couple weeks now, and have a bunch of stuff ready, but still have a few questions that I need some help with! I was preffering the Facebook group, as I've seen here, you can get some rather "unfriendly" -know-it-all types who seem out to make everyone but them look uneducated! I just would like helpful tips and recommendations, from the average Tort owner with their own experiences.
I will list the items I have ready for our little guy, and then ask my question thereafter.
I was at first looking into an open habitat, such as a large Cement Mixing Tub, but then went with a 20 gallons tank with lid "for now", to better control humidity. I am going to add a full scenery image to the back of the tank, and then maybe a 3"-4" border along the bottom front and sides of the tank, so the glass will not be cause for stress.
I have 2 ceramic lamps, 1 with a Powersun 100w UVA/UVB and Heat Bulb, and one with a Infrared Bulb for night time. A timer for the lights.
Also, a heating pad that sticks to the bottom of the tank, and a temperature and humidity gauge.
I have various accessories, such as a half log, a large water basin with ramp, a feeding dish (2 actually), a spray bottle, Retivite bottle, Repitsafe for water, (not sure if I need either of the last 2, it was thrown in with my kit.)
Now, as for substrates, boy! I've read so much info on Substrates, and they were all diffent. This was my hardest thing to deal with! At first, I "thought" most people recommended a mix OS play sand and loam, or organic top soil, but then I read to stay away from sand due to impaction. LOL! Tough situation!
Anyways, what I ended up with, and maybe will use a little of both, is:
Organic Top Soil, Orchid Moss, and Orchid Bark.
MY QUESTION:
With everything I have, what is the best way to set up the tank? For example, where should I place each light, and where should the half log, that I will somewhat fill with the moss for a humid hide, be in regards to the lights? Where should the food dish go? I'm assuming not directly under the UVB/Heat lamp.. Where should the water tray (for soaking) be placed? Under the heat lamp?
Also, This may be a dumb question, the tank is around 20"x12", if I sit the large 100w Powersun UVA/UVB Heat lamp directly on top of the tank screen cover, and half say 3" of substrate in the tank bottom, would that heat beaming down be too much on such a short area? As in, can the temp peak higher than 100, or only as high as the bulb? (sorry if a lame question! Haha.. I don't want to burn my baby! )
Please, if there is anything you feel would benefit me in knowing or doing, please let me know. Most importantly, I would like to know how and where to set up the tank environment.
I'm not sure how I will get your responses, I'm guessing if someone replies, I'll receive an email.. Hopefully! Haha
I also have a few pics of my little leo from the breeder, but I doubt I can post them here via my iPhone, so I'll have to share them on the Facebook group once I'm accepted!
Thanks to anyone that has taken the time to ready lengthy post, and further more, thanks to any that supply helpful tips!
I'm very excited, and cant wait to have my baby here! I just hope I get everything prepared perfectly, with your help!