New Owner Show-and-Tell!

Grandpa Turtle 144

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Apr 3, 2013
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10,878
I have been baking the dry sphagnum moss I buy from Home Depot in an effort to kill off any creepy crawlies before I soak it. I did it for 30ish minutes at 200F. I still have these weird little gnats that popped up, though, so I might need to bake the substrate, too. @Grandpa Turtle 144 said it was stinky to do, though hahaha, so I was trying to avoid it!!

Testudo Mix is here:

http://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix

Millie loooooves it. It started sprouting within 48 hours and by the end of the week the plants in my tray were taller than her! @ZEROPILOT told me that it had things like carrots and radishes in it I think, but the way she's going through it I'll probably never get to find out LOL.

It's also what @Rutibegga had in their amazing enclosure! I am going to seed my substrate, too...sooo excited for that! I bought a new light to try and encourage plant growth on the non-basking end, but now I have to figure out how to mount it :confused:
What I said is baking soil stinks !
 

Nephelle

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Sep 14, 2015
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266
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Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks for the link! I'll definitely will check it out!! I don't know if you have seen this yet in another thread, but a guy named alaskamike details nicely an idea for enclosure and option if you're not a builder, so check it out. It's actually in a thread about a rescue tort, real sweet story! I hope I can give the link correctly... Let's see... http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/bubbles-galore.125234/ if that didn't work I can try again... It's called bubbles galore. It's at the end of the thread.

Thank you for posting that thread!! I read the whole way through and saw @Alaskamike in his videos which was great :D Poor Bubbles! Her video swimming in the pool made me so happy, though!

(I am actually going to poke the referenced thread toward @SamAnn ( http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/bubbles-galore.125234/ ). She has a rescued and badly neglected Sulcata that isn't toooo big yet, and might be interested in his water therapy videos. And if not, it's a heartening rescue story :<3: I've been following her updates - http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/bowsers-rescue-update.129470/#post-1212828 . Such a sweet baby. )

Awesome find, Michelle!! Thank you!! The box build at the end made me feel a lot more confident, too--he did a great job without it looking too overwhelming. Also he said Home Depot would cut it, too! I am for sure calling tomorrow!
 

Gillian M

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Jordan
So happy you've joined this thread, @Gillian Moore ! I know you have some great Oli stories to share! :<3::<3:
Pleasure is mine!:<3:

Oh yes, I have a lot of stories about OLI, but I'm afraid I won't be able to post pics, so please forgive me.:(

Thanks for posting such an interesting and unique thread.;)
 

Nephelle

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Pittsburgh, PA

Rutibegga

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Jul 18, 2015
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Philadelphia, PA
I saw mention in there of the Mist King system. I've been reading about it a bit! Did you get the starter system or one of the others? I'm wondering if it's hard to operate and set up, or not too bad for a newbie to this concept?

It turns out the Mist King wasn't needed. The enclosure is plenty humid without it--in fact, it was above 90% for the first few weeks and we were actively trying to decrease the level. It's now a steady 75 to 80, though I'm watching the numbers as it cools down and our heat kicks on.
 

Nephelle

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266
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Pittsburgh, PA
It turns out the Mist King wasn't needed. The enclosure is plenty humid without it--in fact, it was above 90% for the first few weeks and we were actively trying to decrease the level. It's now a steady 75 to 80, though I'm watching the numbers as it cools down and our heat kicks on.

I am glad I asked! Even the starter kit is pricey. I've read where people install those sorts of things into their outdoor enclosures, too, but thankfully that's at least a season and a half out LOL

I'm a bit nervous about the heat here as well...we have those old style radiators and the moment they kicked on it dried everything up. I lost a couple plants before I realized what was happening :(

Thank you!! :<3::<3:
 

Tidgy's Dad

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Feb 11, 2015
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Fes, Morocco
Hello!
I am Adam.
This is a marvelous thread, most splendid.
Every day is like a new day with my darling Tidgy, I will never be an older owner.
She was near death when i rescued her 4 years ago and now.
Beautiful Girl.jpg Lost my lunch.jpg
Wifey and I can't have kids.
This is our baby girl who we love very much.
Thanks, Nephelle.
 

kirsty Johnston

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Jul 16, 2014
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Scotland
Hello!
I am Adam.
This is a marvelous thread, most splendid.
Every day is like a new day with my darling Tidgy, I will never be an older owner.
She was near death when i rescued her 4 years ago and now.
View attachment 152555 View attachment 152556
Wifey and I can't have kids.
This is our baby girl who we love very much.
Thanks, Nephelle.
Tidgy is such a pretty girl :) wifey and you make great tortoise mum and dad!
 

Michelle D

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2015
Messages
79
Hello!
I am Adam.
This is a marvelous thread, most splendid.
Every day is like a new day with my darling Tidgy, I will never be an older owner.
She was near death when i rescued her 4 years ago and now.
View attachment 152555 View attachment 152556
Wifey and I can't have kids.
This is our baby girl who we love very much.
Thanks, Nephelle.

Hello Adam! :) beautiful sweet girl you have! Enjoyed your pics!
 
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