My russian tortoise only eats brocolli!!!

[Alex and the Redfoot]

i meant like does it have to be a tube one or is a round one okay?

Yes. Tube UVB lamps are easier to set up properly, last longer than coil or mercury vapour bulbs and provide good and even UVB coverage. I wouldn't insist on T5 tubes if there were decent alternatives.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

i meant like does it have to be a tube one or is a round one okay?

But this dome fixture can be used for the basking zone (a combination of a basking lamp and ceramic heat emitter or basking lamp and LED ambient bulb).
If your room is 65-70F in the coldest months - you won't need ambiebt heating (ceramic heat emitters). If you can keep you tortoise outside (or sunbath) most time of the year and brumate it in winter - you won't need a UVB lamp. But you will need a spare fridge

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

how do i go about doing an enclosure like this with other pets in the house? (cat)

Are you able to set up in a room the cats can be shut off from?

 

[Vanillukit]

Are you able to set up in a room the cats can be shut off from?

i am not, our house is a little small.

 

[Vanillukit]

Are you able to set up in a room the cats can be shut off from?

the issue is it was uncovered for a while but then my cat figured out what the heat lamp was and decided it was time to snuggle with carrot. she never showed signs of stress and she would sleep right by him but i wanted to make sure she wasn’t being stressed out so we covered it.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

You can use a cover like greenhouse top or build a frame (from wood or PVC pipes) with mesh screens. While covered enclosure is not required for Russian tortoises, it's still can be beneficial for keeping temperatures and humidity suitable for tortoise and saving a bit on electricity bills. And keep cats out as a bonus.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

You can use a cover like greenhouse top or build a frame (from wood or PVC pipes) with mesh screens. While covered enclosure is not required for Russian tortoises, it's still can be beneficial for keeping temperatures and humidity suitable for tortoise and saving a bit on electricity bills. And keep cats out as a bonus.

Yeah something like this would be ideal, if humidity is too high in there, open up the top but hopefully it’ll be at an angel to keep the cats from getting in

 

[Vanillukit]

Yeah something like this would be ideal, if humidity is too high in there, open up the top but hopefully it’ll be at an angel to keep the cats from getting in

thank you! i’ll look into that and come back to this if i have more questions, you and Alex have been so helpful and understanding!! thank you so much.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

thank you! i’ll look into that and come back to this if i have more questions, you and Alex have been so helpful and understanding!! thank you so much.

No problem at all! Always happy to help in any way we can

 

[Vanillukit]

Unfortunately, recommended UVB lights (T5 fluorescent tubes) aren't cheap. You can search for discounts or sales on recommended lamps but I do not know cheap, safe and long-lasting alternatives. Arcadia ProT5 Desert 12% is perhaps the best, then goes ZooMed Reptisun 10.0 and Reptile Systems kits. You may check with us before making an order, just in case.

If she's buried and taking a nap it's okay to pick her up and get outside. She may continue sleeping there. An important notice - tortoises absorb UV through their skin, not shell, so if she's burrowed she won't get UVB outside. But usually tortoises perk up outside - sunlight gives them more colors around (they perceive some UV as a fourth basic color), there are smells, sounds, air movement and so on.

Hi! I’ve been a little confused looking for a fixture now that i’m able to get one. Is this one alright and what is the appropriate size?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi! I’ve been a little confused looking for a fixture now that i’m able to get one. Is this one alright and what is the appropriate size?

It’ll depend which size bulb you go for(should be specified in the listing) the smallest or medium size will do the trick

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi! I’ve been a little confused looking for a fixture now that i’m able to get one. Is this one alright and what is the appropriate size?

If possible - get this one: https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...-t5-100-high-output-terrarium-hood-86817.html
It's for 22" lamps (most common size) and comes with a correct 10.0 (Desert) lamp included.

 

[Vanillukit]

If possible - get this one: https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...-t5-100-high-output-terrarium-hood-86817.html
It's for 22" lamps (most common size) and comes with a correct 10.0 (Desert) lamp included.

thanks so much!!