My tortoise wheezing

[Kisobel]

Hello!

I’m going to skip straight to the point, I noticed hermann wheezing again. It’s a little confusing because it starts, and stops and starts. Temperature usually always fixes it so I presume that’s the thing again.

Currently in the UK it’s **** flippin cold, colder than usual and this place isn’t known for its great weather!

For information, I have a CHE or whatever it’s called, I’ve boosted it so it will sit passively at 28 degrees in the cold side so it doesn’t get too cold and make sure he nice and snug. For the heat lamp I’m currently using a “

Arcadia Basking Solar Flood Lamps 50W​

”

Sorry if that text is broken, I’ve had a really bad day and can’t be bothered to fix this and no matter how hard I’m still trying to make sure my little guy is okay.

I’ve been at work for 3 days tomorrow is my 4th and last then I’m off for 4 so I can properly help, I only noticed it because today I finished around 3pm so I actually got home before his lights and bedtime comes (12 hour timers I work 12 hour shifts so I don’t see him for 4 days).

I’ve sealed his Viv a bit better so I managed to get the humidity to 77%, by the second day it was 65% and today it was 55%. I’ve boosted it back to 75% ish what is the best I can get to I know it could be higher but I physically struggle to accomplish that apologies if that sounds rude but again I’ve had a bad day and I’m tired and I don’t know what else to say to get it higher.

Im hoping this passive heater just sorts him out but I’m thinking about changing his heater lamp bulb to a 75W so it’s a bjt warmer for winter bc when I put my hand under it it honestly didnt seem too warm if I was just chilling under it.

I’ll attempt to respond when I can, I will read every response but I’ve got to sleep for my next shift soon and yeah. All help is greatly appreciated so I’ll respond when I can but I’ll definitely read. Again thank you for reading and helping and apologises if I sound like a moron. Just one of them days where I’m wanting to be mad or cry lol. Love my little guy too much tho I’ll do anything for him no matter the emotions.

 

[wellington]

A bigger watt basking Flood would probably be better. Also you may need to add a send ceramic heat emitter to keep temps where they need to be. Sounds like this happens often, so I would keep day temps at 80F with 95-100F basking and keep night heat at 75F.
Pouring warm water into the corners of the substrate is the best way to keep humidity up. This will dampen the bottom substrate without make the top too wet. You will have to check it but it shouldn't need more water added for 3-5 days give or take.
Be sure you are reading temps with digital gauges. If you don't have a point and shoot temp gun, I suggest getting one. A fast and easy way to double check temps.

 

[Kisobel]

A bigger watt basking Flood would probably be better. Also you may need to add a send ceramic heat emitter to keep temps where they need to be. Sounds like this happens often, so I would keep day temps at 80F with 95-100F basking and keep night heat at 75F.
Pouring warm water into the corners of the substrate is the best way to keep humidity up. This will dampen the bottom substrate without make the top too wet. You will have to check it but it shouldn't need more water added for 3-5 days give or take.
Be sure you are reading temps with digital gauges. If you don't have a point and shoot temp gun, I suggest getting one. A fast and easy way to double check temps.

I am using digital readers however I do also have a heat gun (I’ve used it twice…) I completely forgot that’s even a good idea to check!

I will get a higher wattage headlamp, thank you

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Did you manage to tape up the vents and make the substrate a bit deeper? I’m thinking it wasn’t deep enough before which will dry it out too quick to maintain any kind of humidity for you.

A bigger watt basking Flood would probably be better. Also you may need to add a send ceramic heat emitter to keep temps where they need to be. Sounds like this happens often, so I would keep day temps at 80F with 95-100F basking and keep night heat at 75F.
Pouring warm water into the corners of the substrate is the best way to keep humidity up. This will dampen the bottom substrate without make the top too wet. You will have to check it but it shouldn't need more water added for 3-5 days give or take.
Be sure you are reading temps with digital gauges. If you don't have a point and shoot temp gun, I suggest getting one. A fast and easy way to double check temps.

Definitely do try and keep temperatures up to these suggestions^ it’s the best way to combat this wheeze he has, you can try a 75w and see how your day temps are, if the one ceramic isn’t enough at night, consider a 2nd, but tbh if your viv isn’t too big, the one should be ok, you’ll just have to check monitors/do temp gun checks

 

[Kisobel]

Did you manage to tape up the vents and make the substrate a bit deeper? I’m thinking it wasn’t deep enough before which will dry it out too quick to maintain any kind of humidity for you.

Definitely do try and keep temperatures up to these suggestions^ it’s the best way to combat this wheeze he has, you can try a 75w and see how your day temps are, if the one ceramic isn’t enough at night, consider a 2nd, but tbh if your viv isn’t too big, the one should be ok, you’ll just have to check monitors/do temp gun checks

Sorry for never getting back to you!

Yes I did tape up the vents and came back to show that for the first time I’ve achieved 85% humidity what is great!

Little guy has just had a bath and now eating food loving life!

Thank you.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Sorry for never getting back to you!

Yes I did tape up the vents and came back to show that for the first time I’ve achieved 85% humidity what is great!

Little guy has just had a bath and now eating food loving life!

Thank you.

So he is fine now? Glad to know!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Sorry for never getting back to you!

Yes I did tape up the vents and came back to show that for the first time I’ve achieved 85% humidity what is great!

Little guy has just had a bath and now eating food loving life!

Thank you.

That’s wonderful to hear! Good job! Hope all is well