Maintaining humidity in a Tortoise Table

Redfoot Sam

New Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2016
Messages
13
Hi. I'm Sam, and this is my first post here! I own a 10 year old Redfoot and have a question about humidity in my tortoise table that I recently built.
The table is about 6.5' X 3'. My first attempt at keeping heat and humidity in was to create a wooden "tent" over the top with one side on a hinge so I can lift it to get into the enclosure.IMG_3834.JPG IMG_3835.JPG I did this, and heat now stays at 80 with no problem.
The problem it the humidity. When i spray it, it will go up to 40 Percent or so, but only for a few minutes. What can I do to keep the humidity up?
P.S. For substrate, I have about three inches of topsoil, and about an inch and a half of cypress mulch.
Thanks!
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Spraying does no good at all. You have to pour a pitcherful or more of water over the substrate and mix it up with your hand to get all the substrate evenly moistened. It would also help if you put a piece of aluminum cooking foil over the space created by the lights.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,655
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Hello and Welcome. Use warm water and try to keep the top layer dryer then underneath. RF are prone to shell rot if constantly sitting on wet substrate.
 

Gillian M

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2014
Messages
15,417
Location (City and/or State)
Jordan
Hi Sam, and welcome to the forum! :)

That's a lovely setup. Your tort is really lucky-touch wood. By the way, any pics of your tort? ;)
 

Levi the Leopard

IXOYE
10 Year Member!
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Messages
7,958
Location (City and/or State)
Southern Oregon
Is that analog hydrometer what you are using to read the RH%? It is unlikely that you'll get an accurate reading from that.

I like to use the digital thermometer/hydrometer from AcuRite. It's like 10 bucks.

The foil tent and adding more water will make a difference, too.
 

Alex Z

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2016
Messages
794
Location (City and/or State)
NYC
Hi. I'm Sam, and this is my first post here! I own a 10 year old Redfoot and have a question about humidity in my tortoise table that I recently built.
The table is about 6.5' X 3'. My first attempt at keeping heat and humidity in was to create a wooden "tent" over the top with one side on a hinge so I can lift it to get into the enclosure.View attachment 194759 View attachment 194760 I did this, and heat now stays at 80 with no problem.
The problem it the humidity. When i spray it, it will go up to 40 Percent or so, but only for a few minutes. What can I do to keep the humidity up?
P.S. For substrate, I have about three inches of topsoil, and about an inch and a half of cypress mulch.
Thanks!

I purchased a mini greenhouse from amazon..its been holding at 70-75 steady and hot...well worth it...they come in many shapes and sizes...
 
Top