My russian tortoise only eats brocolli!!!

[Alex and the Redfoot]

hi again! did you see my question about a more affordable uvb light? we dont have a lot of extra cash at the moment but i want to do what i can since she hasn’t been upgraded in a while

Right now, the best and cheapest UVB light is the natural sunlight. Temperatures allow. If you don't have any area outdoors safe for the tortoise, you can bring it out in a box with some substrate (or even without it) in a shaded area, under your supervision. 30 minutes is okay and you can soak it at the same time. Avoid leaving it in a direct sunlight. The best time is around 10-11AM (check your weather forecast when UV index is 4-5). 2-3 hours a week is usually enough.

 

[Vanillukit]

Right now, the best and cheapest UVB light is the natural sunlight. Temperatures allow. If you don't have any area outdoors safe for the tortoise, you can bring it out in a box with some substrate (or even without it) in a shaded area, under your supervision. 30 minutes is okay and you can soak it at the same time. Avoid leaving it in a direct sunlight. The best time is around 10-11AM (check your weather forecast when UV index is 4-5). 2-3 hours a week is usually enough.

thanks! i already have a uvb light i was just curious if there was any recommendations! i’ll see about outside time in a box though, is it okay if she’s buried under the substrate to take her out of there to go outside?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

thanks! i already have a uvb light i was just curious if there was any recommendations! i’ll see about outside time in a box though, is it okay if she’s buried under the substrate to take her out of there to go outside?

Hi sorry for the delay, does she bury herself a lot during the day in her enclosure?
I’d try to aim to get her whilst she’s already out n about but if she’s buried during the time the uv peaks, you may have to unearth her lol

Id save up for the indoor uv when you can because it can be so tricky giving them outdoor time here for the uv purely because of our temperatures.
Unfortunately the correct type of uv isn’t the cheapest😕but it is very important and vital for your tortoises health, if you’re able to get her out for some natural uv for now whilst it’s summer, try and work on the other things that need upgrading in the meantime, any questions about setting things up, ask away🥰

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

thanks! i already have a uvb light i was just curious if there was any recommendations! i’ll see about outside time in a box though, is it okay if she’s buried under the substrate to take her out of there to go outside?

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.

 

[Vanillukit]

Hi sorry for the delay, does she bury herself a lot during the day in her enclosure?
I’d try to aim to get her whilst she’s already out n about but if she’s buried during the time the uv peaks, you may have to unearth her lol

Id save up for the indoor uv when you can because it can be so tricky giving them outdoor time here for the uv purely because of our temperatures.
Unfortunately the correct type of uv isn’t the cheapest😕but it is very important and vital for your tortoises health, if you’re able to get her out for some natural uv for now whilst it’s summer, try and work on the other things that need upgrading in the meantime, any questions about setting things up, ask away🥰

is the one mentioned previously in this thread the cheapest correct one? i can send pics of what i already have when i get home from work. it depends on the day if she is buried during the day, sometimes she’s kinda just tucked in under the lamp half in the bedding and sometimes she’s completely buried in various places, i will occasionally dig around just to make sure she’s okay if she’s been under there all day and it’s not too late at night

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

The zoomed reptisun, which is the second best one seems to be currently on sale on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N1DY82E/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Note, that this only includes the bulb, you will have to buy the fixture for the light separate. But I do think that it is a good deal, especially if you are able to find the separate fixture for cheap.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

The zoomed reptisun, which is the second best one seems to be currently on sale on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N1DY82E/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Note, that this only includes the bulb, you will have to buy the fixture for the light separate. But I do think that it is a good deal, especially if you are able to find the separate fixture for cheap.

There are fixtures for plant grow lights and general purpose T5 fixtures in the hardware stores (e.g. ceiling lights). The only concern with them is quality and shape of the reflector (even more - not all reflectors are reflecting UV).

 

[Vanillukit]

The zoomed reptisun, which is the second best one seems to be currently on sale on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N1DY82E/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Note, that this only includes the bulb, you will have to buy the fixture for the light separate. But I do think that it is a good deal, especially if you are able to find the separate fixture for cheap.

is it a good idea to look on facebook marketplace for fixtures or is it too risky if it will work properly/last

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

There are fixtures for plant grow lights and general purpose T5 fixtures in the hardware stores (e.g. ceiling lights). The only concern with them is quality and shape of the reflector (even more - not all reflectors are reflecting UV).

What do you think about the cheap pet branded reflectors?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

is it a good idea to look on facebook marketplace for fixtures or is it too risky if it will work properly/last

Maybe Alex can advice on this? He is much better with technical stuff.

 

[Vanillukit]

There are fixtures for plant grow lights and general purpose T5 fixtures in the hardware stores (e.g. ceiling lights). The only concern with them is quality and shape of the reflector (even more - not all reflectors are reflecting UV).

is this kind of fixture acceptable?? it’s the kind i have for the heating the other side went wonky. keep in mind not the exact one its just a dual one

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

is this kind of fixture acceptable?? it’s the kind i have for the heating the other side went wonky. keep in mind not the exact one its just a dual one

No, a long glass tube (T5) won't fit there. That's how the lamp and fixture should look like:
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...tile-prot5-uv-b-kit-65058.html?fmethod=Search (as far as I can tell - the price is really good).

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

No, a long glass tube (T5) won't fit there. That's how the lamp and fixture should look like:
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...tile-prot5-uv-b-kit-65058.html?fmethod=Search (as far as I can tell - the price is really good).

I agree on the price, since you get the fixture too on this. It is a full kit.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

is it a good idea to look on facebook marketplace for fixtures or is it too risky if it will work properly/last

If can find good fixtures there (like Arcadia or ZooMed Terrarium Hood) - probably you can get them. The risks are the same as with any buy. A few precautions:
1. Reflector should be relatively free of scratches.
2. Double check that you buy the right thing: T5 fixture, not T8 (older thicker tubes), correct brand (ZooMed and not ReptiZoo), size of the fixture and so on.
3. The lamp will likely to be replaced - UV output degrade over time and you don't know if there is any left (the lamp still is still glowing).

 

[Faceraser]

i have tried to feed her all sorts of other vegetables and sometimes fruits and she won’t eat anything except brocolli and iceberg lettuce which i don’t give her often because it has like no nutritional value. please help !!,

I'm kinda in the same boat, Eunice (my Russian tortoise) only likes leaf lettuce and dandelion leaves. I'm pretty sure I've tried everything too .

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

What do you think about the cheap pet branded reflectors?

The same. Reports on cheaper T5 lamps sometimes highlight reflector oddities. That's why I advise to get a good UVB lamp (for all other stuff I always like to search for cheaper and unusual alternatives). The trouble is that we either trust lamp or need to get a Solarmeter.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hopefully you’ve found the responses on here helpful regarding the uv.
I’d personally consider saving for the arcaida, it’s a good brand and comes with everything you need to mount it🙂

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I'm kinda in the same boat, Eunice (my Russian tortoise) only likes leaf lettuce and dandelion leaves. I'm pretty sure I've tried everything too .

Hello and welcome!
Perhaps you’ll find this website useful for some ideas🙂it’s very important to get your tortoise used to a variety, they can be stubborn but keep offering different foods, leafy greens and weeds, no fruit.

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

www.thetortoisetable.org.uk

 

[Vanillukit]

No, a long glass tube (T5) won't fit there. That's how the lamp and fixture should look like:
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...tile-prot5-uv-b-kit-65058.html?fmethod=Search (as far as I can tell - the price is really good).

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

 

[Vanillukit]

Thanks for the reply! I’m going to include some information below that you’ll hopefully find helpful😊

As adults they need a minimum of an 8x4 foot enclosure, roaming is vital to tortoise health, it aids digestion and strengthens their muscles.
Don’t think they can get away with smaller if allowed to free roam, I’d highly discourage indoor free roams, being away from their heat source means they’re being exposed to temperatures that are too low too often, smooth surfaces like laminate flooring will wreak absolute havoc on their hip joints over time.
There’s just numerous reasons it isn’t a good idea unfortunately, harmful floor cleaners, foreign objects being swallowed, getting stuck under things they shouldn’t like shelving or sofas, low temperatures, no uv, getting hit by doors, one member has mentioned they knew someone who’s tort got their head crushed in a door jam😣, flipping hazards, smooth services, the list goes on and is endless.
They feel most comfortable and safe in a space that best mimics their natural environment, so an appropriate sized enclosure is always the ultimate goal, hopefully we can help🥰

As much as it’s encouraged to have your guy in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from a cooler climate myself how difficult it is to house outdoors, an outdoor enclosure is great for them to enjoy on summer days though! I would generally discourage free roaming outside of a safe enclosure, but until something is set up, closely supervise outdoor roams.
Care advice for these guys is painfully behind, fb pages, YouTube, pet stores, they’re all repeating the same outdated advice, this forum is made of people who have spent years finding the best ways to care for them that actually result in healthy tortoise.

I’m going to include some information below on an example of an appropriate indoor set up, it includes the correct levels and equipment etc including the appropriate indoor uv

Basking light should be an incandescent floodlight(example attached) on a 12 hour timer.

Basking temperature directly under the floodlight should be 95-100f. The rest of the enclosure should be ranging 75-80 during the day.

You may also wish to add ambient lighting on the same timer, providing shady areas with hides and safe plants.

Then CHE/CHE’s(ceramic heat emitters) always on a thermostat, for night heat if your house drops below 60’s at night. They are a non light emitting bulb. Set the thermostat for a night temperature place the probe in their cooler end, plug the che into it and the thermostat into the mains, it’ll be plugged in 24/7 but will only turn on when the temperature drops. If in a cooler climate you’ll probably need these.

Indoor Uv should be a t5 fluorescent tube, avoid the compact and coil uv bulbs, they don’t give out enough uv and can hurt the tortoises eyes. The uv can be on a 4 hour timer from noon, there’s lots of conflicting information telling people to keep their uv on for 12hours a day, it stems from the thought that as soon as the basking bulb, ie the ‘sun’ comes on, that uv must be on too, fact is UV rays don’t peak till around midday for a few hours, many member have used UV solar meters to confirm this. Tortoises in the wild don’t get blasted with 12hours of UV, therefore it’s not necessary in captivity. I’ve attached examples of the two brands to go for(I personally recommend the Arcadia)and some examples of how to mount them.

With lighting always avoid anything labelled halogen or mercury vapour.

For substrates, either coco coir, dampened and packed down by hand as a base, with a layer of orchid(fir not pine) bark or forest floor on top, or just the orchid bark/forest floor. Never use anything with sand mixed in, no top soils and no kinds of moss. The problem with top soil is unless you’ve composted it yourself, you don’t know what kind of plants have gone into it, it could be something toxic. Sand can irritate the eyes and be an impaction risk, moss is an impaction risk too.

You want to aim to have the bottom layer of substrate damp, to do this pour lukewarm water into the corners, not loads but enough to dampen the entire bottom layer. To stop that top layer getting too dry/dusty, mix the substrate now n then, you don’t want dusty substrate, that can cause respiratory problems. Check your monitors and substrate to do the pours as and when needed. I recommend having digital monitors that read both temperature and humidity.

I’d personally recommend you make your own base to go as big as you possibly can for the space you have, roaming room is vital for tortoise health. The closer you can get to an 8x4 size the better.

When making your base, just make sure the material is safe, some use flower beds, or take a large bookcase, take out the shelves and lie flat, or just make their own, for all these options I’d line with cheap pond liner to protect the base, making sure the liner goes up the sides too and make sure those sides are deep enough! They can be professional escape artists😂

I’ve also included examples of stands people make/buy to hang their lighting, use a temperature gun to determine how high the basking bulb needs to be, the uv I suggested needs to be mounted 18-20 inches from the substrate. I’d use chains so your lights aren’t just hanging by the wires. Never rely on just the clamp fittings some come with.

For a water dish a shallow terracotta saucer is considered safest, they have grip in the event your tortoise flips themselves, most pet store options are a known hazard.

I’d also always recommend getting your hands on a temp gun, they’re SO handy when setting up a new environment or for checking your monitors are correct🙂you can use them to scan the whole parameter.

I’m sorry this looks such a lot to go over, but I promise it’s worth it once you can get your head round it❤️

Some of the enclosure examples are too small but they’re there to give you an idea🙂

Also you may find this link below useful for some food ideas! you can buy seeds online and plant in organic soil(free of chemicals) in a planter the tortoise doesn’t have access to, and forage from them as they grow😊

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

www.thetortoisetable.org.uk

Thanks for the reply! I’m going to include some information below that you’ll hopefully find helpful😊

As adults they need a minimum of an 8x4 foot enclosure, roaming is vital to tortoise health, it aids digestion and strengthens their muscles.
Don’t think they can get away with smaller if allowed to free roam, I’d highly discourage indoor free roams, being away from their heat source means they’re being exposed to temperatures that are too low too often, smooth surfaces like laminate flooring will wreak absolute havoc on their hip joints over time.
There’s just numerous reasons it isn’t a good idea unfortunately, harmful floor cleaners, foreign objects being swallowed, getting stuck under things they shouldn’t like shelving or sofas, low temperatures, no uv, getting hit by doors, one member has mentioned they knew someone who’s tort got their head crushed in a door jam😣, flipping hazards, smooth services, the list goes on and is endless.
They feel most comfortable and safe in a space that best mimics their natural environment, so an appropriate sized enclosure is always the ultimate goal, hopefully we can help🥰

As much as it’s encouraged to have your guy in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from a cooler climate myself how difficult it is to house outdoors, an outdoor enclosure is great for them to enjoy on summer days though! I would generally discourage free roaming outside of a safe enclosure, but until something is set up, closely supervise outdoor roams.
Care advice for these guys is painfully behind, fb pages, YouTube, pet stores, they’re all repeating the same outdated advice, this forum is made of people who have spent years finding the best ways to care for them that actually result in healthy tortoise.

I’m going to include some information below on an example of an appropriate indoor set up, it includes the correct levels and equipment etc including the appropriate indoor uv

Basking light should be an incandescent floodlight(example attached) on a 12 hour timer.

Basking temperature directly under the floodlight should be 95-100f. The rest of the enclosure should be ranging 75-80 during the day.

You may also wish to add ambient lighting on the same timer, providing shady areas with hides and safe plants.

Then CHE/CHE’s(ceramic heat emitters) always on a thermostat, for night heat if your house drops below 60’s at night. They are a non light emitting bulb. Set the thermostat for a night temperature place the probe in their cooler end, plug the che into it and the thermostat into the mains, it’ll be plugged in 24/7 but will only turn on when the temperature drops. If in a cooler climate you’ll probably need these.

Indoor Uv should be a t5 fluorescent tube, avoid the compact and coil uv bulbs, they don’t give out enough uv and can hurt the tortoises eyes. The uv can be on a 4 hour timer from noon, there’s lots of conflicting information telling people to keep their uv on for 12hours a day, it stems from the thought that as soon as the basking bulb, ie the ‘sun’ comes on, that uv must be on too, fact is UV rays don’t peak till around midday for a few hours, many member have used UV solar meters to confirm this. Tortoises in the wild don’t get blasted with 12hours of UV, therefore it’s not necessary in captivity. I’ve attached examples of the two brands to go for(I personally recommend the Arcadia)and some examples of how to mount them.

With lighting always avoid anything labelled halogen or mercury vapour.

For substrates, either coco coir, dampened and packed down by hand as a base, with a layer of orchid(fir not pine) bark or forest floor on top, or just the orchid bark/forest floor. Never use anything with sand mixed in, no top soils and no kinds of moss. The problem with top soil is unless you’ve composted it yourself, you don’t know what kind of plants have gone into it, it could be something toxic. Sand can irritate the eyes and be an impaction risk, moss is an impaction risk too.

You want to aim to have the bottom layer of substrate damp, to do this pour lukewarm water into the corners, not loads but enough to dampen the entire bottom layer. To stop that top layer getting too dry/dusty, mix the substrate now n then, you don’t want dusty substrate, that can cause respiratory problems. Check your monitors and substrate to do the pours as and when needed. I recommend having digital monitors that read both temperature and humidity.

I’d personally recommend you make your own base to go as big as you possibly can for the space you have, roaming room is vital for tortoise health. The closer you can get to an 8x4 size the better.

When making your base, just make sure the material is safe, some use flower beds, or take a large bookcase, take out the shelves and lie flat, or just make their own, for all these options I’d line with cheap pond liner to protect the base, making sure the liner goes up the sides too and make sure those sides are deep enough! They can be professional escape artists😂

I’ve also included examples of stands people make/buy to hang their lighting, use a temperature gun to determine how high the basking bulb needs to be, the uv I suggested needs to be mounted 18-20 inches from the substrate. I’d use chains so your lights aren’t just hanging by the wires. Never rely on just the clamp fittings some come with.

For a water dish a shallow terracotta saucer is considered safest, they have grip in the event your tortoise flips themselves, most pet store options are a known hazard.

I’d also always recommend getting your hands on a temp gun, they’re SO handy when setting up a new environment or for checking your monitors are correct🙂you can use them to scan the whole parameter.

I’m sorry this looks such a lot to go over, but I promise it’s worth it once you can get your head round it❤️

Some of the enclosure examples are too small but they’re there to give you an idea🙂

Also you may find this link below useful for some food ideas! you can buy seeds online and plant in organic soil(free of chemicals) in a planter the tortoise doesn’t have access to, and forage from them as they grow😊

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

www.thetortoisetable.org.uk

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