If you make a plexiglass cover, you will have to cut holes for the lamp domes and UVB tube fixture. They won't fit inside the tank. Instead, you can look for 1-2 plastic storage bins (like underbed storage boxes) of suitable size and height. But this could be even more band-aid than a portable greenhouse
(you can fit the whole tank under the greenhouse top, just in case).Thank you so much! The infrared bulb is out and has been replaced with another CHE and the new UVB bulb has been ordered. I also picked up the orchid bark and will be replacing the substrate today! Thank you for your advice it is much appreciated!The problem is the open top. Someone sold you the wrong type of enclosure and all the wrong lighting too. Trying to heat and humidify an open topped enclosure is like trying to heat your house in winter with no roof. You need a large closed chamber with all the heating and lighting inside. This will contain your heat and humidity. Using foil or plexiglass on top still creates a chimney effect if the heating and lighting is outside the enclosure.
Once you have a closed chamber, you will need lower wattage bulbs to keep it from over heating, and that thermostat will make your CHE keep it just the right temperature day and night.
Infrared and other colored bulbs should never be used over tortoises.
Compact cfl bulbs should not be used over tortoises or any other reptiles. They are ineffective UV sources and sometime burn their eyes. Use a HO type T5 florescent tube for UV
Cocofiber is not safe for tortoises. They will eat some of those fibers, either accidentally or on purpose, and it can block them up. Coco coir can work, but orchid bark is best for red foot tortoises because you can keep the lower layers damp, while the upper layers remain relatively dry, which will prevent the typical shell rot in this species that is caused by constantly wet substrate in a futile attempt to keep humidity high with an open top. Once you have a closed chamber, it will be easy to maintain high humidity and a dry substrate.
Closed chambers are not air tight. There is still plenty of airflow and oxygen reaching your tortoise. The idea is to reduce ventilation and airflow enough to be able to maintain warmth and humidity. To use the house/roof analogy again, you close your windows on a cold winter night to reduce ventilation, don't you? But you can still breathe, right?
This thread will explain why you've gotten such bad advice previously, and also catch you up to speed on the most current and correct tortoise care info. We should have started you with this:
Info For New People. Please Read This First.
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Questions are welcome!
Thank you! Greenhouse is ordered!If you make a plexiglass cover, you will have to cut holes for the lamp domes and UVB tube fixture. They won't fit inside the tank. Instead, you can look for 1-2 plastic storage bins (like underbed storage boxes) of suitable size and height. But this could be even more band-aid than a portable greenhouse
Thank you so much! I appreciate the patience
Hi after looking at this again I had a few more questions. I have already ordered the new UVB and got a different CHE which has already been working better, but does infrared effect red foot’s eyes? Archie started closing his eyes today and after a soak in warm water he opens them but he closes them again soon after so I’m trying to figure out what could be irritating them? The substrate is changed to the orchid bark and the infrared has been off since around 4 pm (as I got the new CHE). I realized that not only was the infrared bulb using infrared but the old CHE I just switched out was a ceramic infrared heat emitter? I hadn’t noticed but that is off as well. The greenhouse and new UVB should be here tomorrow but I am concerned the old lighting could have hurt his eyes.
Looks like you were using one of those cfl type UV bulbs in the double hood. Those sometimes burn their eyes and shouldn't be used.
Ok thank you, so having them off should make it better? The soaks absolutely helped but this morning when I went to feed him they were closed again. After soaking they opened but the light have been off since yesterday. His eyes don’t seem swollen but it seems like he can’t open them without some help from the warm water.
If the eyes were damaged, it will take time for them to heal. Make sure temperatures and humidity are correct and kept up. The tortoise can't sit in the dark, so be sure everything is well lit and warmed up in the absence of those other bulbs.
Ok thank you! I have already replaced the CHE and other heating I was using but I am waiting on the new UVB to get delivered today. Hopefully that helps him a bit.
Hello!
Ok! Thank you I will make sure to adjust how they are hung
Absolutely! Thank you for the warm welcome and I’m excited to learn more as I grow.
