Lighting

[Happy_Tortoise]

Can they breath ok?
It looks so suffocating.

I was just thinking, in a natural environment they are in the forest or desert. And I thought they just look for humid spots around.
So if my soil is humid for her to dig, I have some water bath and some plants maybe it would have some humid spots for her to thrive 🤔

Is it wrong thinking?

For the set up I will see what is the best I can do
Thank you very much

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Can they breath ok?
It looks so suffocating.

I was just thinking, in a natural environment they are in the forest or desert. And I thought they just look for humid spots around.
So if my soil is humid for her to dig, I have some water bath and some plants maybe it would have some humid spots for her to thrive 🤔

Is it wrong thinking?

For the set up I will see what is the best I can do
Thank you very much

I understand where you’re coming from, I myself was apprehensive when first seeing this kind of set up, but I promise they don’t suffocate in there, it’s by no means air tight, and doing daily things like water changes and feedings keeps fresh air flow, it’s not much different to tortoise and other reptiles that are kept in closed chamber vivariums🙂
After re reading your thread properly I see you have a young Greek tortoise, I know those guys as adults have lower humidity and hatchlings need around 80%, I’ll let the other more experienced members chime in for you there as to whether the cover is a good buy at this point🙂
We have a red foot so I’m used to the fact we have to maintain higher humidity all round

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

For the set up I will see what is the best I can do
Thank you very much

No problem at all! There’s so many creative cost effective ways to get a good sized set up, this is the perfect place to get guidance and inspiration in the future🙂

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Sorry but do you have an example of lamp stand for tube light?

I have never seen this before.

I will continue looking

Don't worry!
With Arcadia fixture you can two common light stands and use plastic zip ties to fix mounting brackets to a hook or pole.

If you are on DIY side you can detach the meshed lid and add sidewalls (this way you will create a closed chamber enclosure and enough height to mount lights). I was thinking about something like kitchen cabinet legs and front panels, yet there cheaper options of course.

Also you can find a plastic storage box of suitable size to replace the meshed lid.

If I remember, your tortoise is 3 inches now and because it's a greek tortoise it has a lot growth ahead. So making a "closed chamber" with high humidity will be beneficial for smooth growth.

In the wild they can find suitable microclimate by burrowing or hiding in the low plants and grasses. At the same time our enclosures aren't nearly the same - heat lamps are more drying than the sunlight, for example.

 

[Happy_Tortoise]

Hello,

I am doing shopping on Amazon now to get the UV light (planning to do some DIY at home during the weekend.

I would like to get the LED light at the same time.
Is this okay?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ST2I9O/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I am planning to stick it to the top of the sides of the enclosure but not facing down to not blind the the tortoise. (if it can stick on wood though )...
(in the image, if we imagine the side whithout led to be the bottom of the enclosure, I am thinking to put only 2 bands on each top side facing the other side (I tried to find a picture online to illustrate what I am trying to say)

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello,

I am doing shopping on Amazon now to get the UV light (planning to do some DIY at home during the weekend.

I would like to get the LED light at the same time.
Is this okay?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ST2I9O/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I am planning to stick it to the top of the sides of the enclosure but not facing down to not blind the the tortoise. (if it can stick on wood though )...
(in the image, if we imagine the side whithout led to be the bottom of the enclosure, I am thinking to put only 2 bands on each top side facing the other side (I tried to find a picture online to illustrate what I am trying to say)

This could work, but don't forget to order a compatible power supply (it seems that it's not included). Actually, it's better to place the lights on the top facing straight down - it will be easier on tortoises eyes.

A simple LED bulb or two probably would be easier to install and cheaper. Or something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDLSF886/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[Happy_Tortoise]

This could work, but don't forget to order a compatible power supply (it seems that it's not included). Actually, it's better to place the lights on the top facing straight down - it will be easier on tortoises eyes.

A simple LED bulb or two probably would be easier to install and cheaper. Or something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDLSF886/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Thank you I will have a look.
I saw a message before about LED 5000K or something, that's why I was searching for something like that.

 

[Happy_Tortoise]

This could work, but don't forget to order a compatible power supply (it seems that it's not included). Actually, it's better to place the lights on the top facing straight down - it will be easier on tortoises eyes.

A simple LED bulb or two probably would be easier to install and cheaper. Or something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDLSF886/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

This one looks cool and similar to what you showed me.
And it seems I can control the light intensity (there are different light intensities I think (3, 4.5, 6.5K))

 

[jaizei]

This one looks cool and similar to what you showed me.
And it seems I can control the light intensity (there are different light intensities I think (3, 4.5, 6.5K))

is this one battery powered?

 

[Happy_Tortoise]

is this one battery powered?

Ah yes.. it seems you need to charge it
If I keep it charging all the time is it okay? 🤔 it looks like a type C charger

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

This one looks cool and similar to what you showed me.
And it seems I can control the light intensity (there are different light intensities I think (3, 4.5, 6.5K))

Numbers with K in the end (like 5000K) are the color temperature. Roughly, the hue of the white light - 6500K is bluish like mid-day sun, 5000K is a "neutral" daylight which looks more natural and 3500K is a warm light (like at sunset or an incandescent bulb).

Other lamp characteristic is the light intensity (measured in lumens or lux) - how bright is the light source. It's related to lamp wattage. The LED desk lamp from my link is 24W and from your link is 2.5W - roughly their brightness is 10 times different. I would aim for 8-10W at least.

Another thing I see is that lamp draws 2.5W but charging port is 500mW, it may not keep up with charging when lamp is on full day.

In summer, in a brightly lit room ambient light is less important so you have some time to choose one.

 

[Happy_Tortoise]

Hello,
I am trying to check the Amazon France to find a UVB which hopefully would match the voltage in Korea.

They seem to only have the one in the picture (for arcadia brand with reflector)
I think it is for forest while you advised me desert.
Is it still okay to use this one?
I also thought of buying this, to get the reflector and then buying the lamp separatly. But I am not sure if the lamps I found would match this reflector.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I think one forest UVB won't be strong enough, since they only emit 6% UVB. I don't know whether you could get away with two. What do you think @Alex and the Redfoot

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello,
I am trying to check the Amazon France to find a UVB which hopefully would match the voltage in Korea.

They seem to only have the one in the picture (for arcadia brand with reflector)
I think it is for forest while you advised me desert.
Is it still okay to use this one?
I also thought of buying this, to get the reflector and then buying the lamp separatly. But I am not sure if the lamps I found would match this reflector.

"Forest" (6%, 5.0) lamps have half of the UVB output of "Desert" (12%, 10.0) lamps and it's not enough. You can put the fixture lower - at 12-13" above substrate to achieve same UVB level (and make a hill out of substrate as well to create a nice UV gradient).

The fixture is compatible both with Forest and Desert lamps, so you can put Arcadia Desert or Reptisun 10.0 lamp later. Just check that length/wattage match.

The only issue I see with this fixture - it's 39W, so it's almost 3 ft. long. Check if it fits the enclosure.

This one is also good reflector:
Zoo Med Repti Sun Terrarium Lid without Lamp Metal T5 60 cm https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00AQU8F2O...07EBGNCVNXQAJW80H&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1
It comes without lamp, so you will need Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia Desert 12% 22" lamp as well.

Of course, you can double-check the shopping basket with us before placing an order.