New and in need of help! Please

[The Novice]

Im just about to pick up a horsefield tortoise for my son for Christmas. I’m so confused with everything for setting up my son’s new Vivarium. Is it absolutely essential to have a dimming thermostat with a basking bulb or can you buy a certain watt bulb that won’t get too hot? It’s just very expensive to buy thermostat as well when we are just starting out. I have a 45inch Vivarium. Any advice would be amazing. Also advice on type of holder for the bulb would be great. I’ve brought a 10% UV tube and a controller for that. Both 38watt? Is that right?
Thank you in advance
Regards

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Can you post a pic of the vivarium for us? The dimensions will aid us in selecting the proper wattage et al.

 

[The Novice]

I haven’t built it yet but here is the exact one I have brought from their site. It’s 45inch

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Thanks. I looked up the specs for it. Dimensions = 45.3 x 22.1 x 14.8 inches. I'm a little concerned about the space though. Most of what I read about horsefields say that they need a minimum of 10 sq feet. That enclosure only offers roughly 7 sq feet. That said (and given the limited ceiling height), I might recommend going with a T8 florescent bulb to offer the UVB output it needs, coupled with a 60w CHE hooked up to a thermostat for temperature control.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017RCQ4JO/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YHSWK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I15S6OM/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[Mel from hell]

That’s? A great tank. I’m glad he”ll get to see outside his tank. Miz. Gave some excellent links that I too, just looked at.!
Make sure u get him a little, soaking tub. I soak my Russian every AM for 20 mins in water I keep, quite warm.i sometimes soak her at night, too. I make it a little deeper than most, as ruby likes to Float~~
Are MY dimensions the best? Uh uh
But Ruby gets to come out, a lot n experience new things. I hope ur son will fall in love and keep him till he’s 40 n married

 

[TechnoCheese]

How old and large is the tortoise you’re getting?
Be sure to give these a read-
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
Please keep in mind that, as an adult, this tortoise will require a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet

 

[The Novice]

Thanks everyone for your help it’s very much appreciated.

Mizcreant, I’m probably being a bit cheeky to ask but I live in the UK and the thermostat you recommend isn’t sold in the Uk from what I can see. Any chance you know of one that I can purchase here? There are so many just want to get the right one for a basking bulb and they all seem to be for heat mats?
Thanks again

 

[JoesMum]

Hello there!

I am in the UK too and will be back with some links for you shortly

 

[The Novice]

Thank you Joe’s Mum

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Thanks everyone for your help it’s very much appreciated.

Mizcreant, I’m probably being a bit cheeky to ask but I live in the UK and the thermostat you recommend isn’t sold in the Uk from what I can see. Any chance you know of one that I can purchase here? There are so many just want to get the right one for a basking bulb and they all seem to be for heat mats?
Thanks again

I just posted those items as examples. I wasn't trying to promote any particular brand. Honestly, I wouldn't know the first place to look in the U.K. I'm positive you should have no problem finding facsimilies though. Tons of posters here from the U.K. Perhaps they can recommend a good source for you.

 

[JoesMum]

Thanks everyone for your help it’s very much appreciated.

Mizcreant, I’m probably being a bit cheeky to ask but I live in the UK and the thermostat you recommend isn’t sold in the Uk from what I can see. Any chance you know of one that I can purchase here? There are so many just want to get the right one for a basking bulb and they all seem to be for heat mats?
Thanks again

As you are in the UK you will be getting a youngster, I assume, as older wild caught animals cannot legally be sold here.

A vivarium with a large floor area for a youngster is great as it holds the heat and humidity. However, one that opens at the front poses difficulties with substrate. The substrate needs to be 10cm/4" deep and those sliding doors at the front mean it will end up on the floor every time you open it. One with access from the top is more practical.

Be aware that even the largest vivarium will only last you around 3 years before your tortoise needs far more space. Russians may be a small species, but they are very active and need lots of space to roam. You will need to go to a tortoise table providing a minimum of 1.5x2.2 metres /4'x8'

Please do read the TFO care guides. They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and sadly from some breeders and vets too. The two I regard as essential reading for you are:

Beginner Mistakes
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Care of Baby Russians (which explains the enclosure setup and necessities brilliantly)
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/b...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

You will need a substrate that you can mix with water until all of it is evenly damp, right to the bottom and into the corners. This helps raise humidity. Coco coir bought from a DIY or Garden store or from Amazon is cheapest and does the job nicely
https://www.amazon.co.uk/COCO-COIR-PLANTING-TERRARIUM-SUBSTRATE/dp/B07CH7VZ6D/

For lighting by day you will need a reflector bulb in a height-adjustable lamp holder. It must be 35-37C under this bulb and raising and lowering it is how you adjust the temperature. Something like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exo-Terra-PT2133-Daylight-Basking/dp/B0002AR3O4/

Use a Temperature Gun type thermometer to spot check enclosure temperatures
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Zanmax-Non-Contact-Temperature-Indication/dp/B07CJ1SJYX/

You also need a UVB fluorescent tube. Don't get a compact bulb (looks like a low energy light bulb) as they cause eye problems in tortoises. The length and fitting will depend on your vivarium, but Arcadia and Exo Terra are reliable brands.

Put the lights on timers to make life easy. Lights must be on for 14 hours a day.

To maintain ambient temperatures and at night, you will need a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) which you use with a thermostat; leave it running 24/7 as the thermostat will ensure it only cuts in when needed. You will need a ceramic bulb holder for the CHE; don't use a plastic one as the CHE will melt it. The thermostat is easy to use: plug it into the mains and drop the probe into the vivarium away from the heat lamps, set it to 26C then plug the CHE into the thermostat.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exo-Terra-Ceramic-Heat-Emitter/dp/B0002DIAXE/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inkbird-ITC-306UK-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat/dp/B018K2DKYW/

Don't buy pet store reptile bowls. They're hard for tortoises to use and the steep sides are a tipping hazard. A terracotta plant saucer makes a great water bowl. For a food plate use a large piece of flat rock or slate, or even the wrong side of a ceramic tile; the roughness helps to keep your tort's beak in shape by abrasion while it eats.