Our new family member Jeffrey

[JeffreyB]

This is our tortoise Jeffrey we have had him almost a week now. I was wondering if you would recommend a ceramic heat lamp for overnight as I think it may get a little cold. He tends to choose too sleep under the wood hide rather than in his bedding area. I am going to change substrate to top soil sand mixture when I change it, only have the wood as that’s what was provided when purchased. Also have some tortoise mix seeds germinating which we will add when they start growing. Also is there anything else anybody would recommend.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Don't use soil and sand. Your tort could get impacted. Someone from England should be here soon. To suggest the type of substrate you can purchase there.
The thermometers, I would suggest 2 of them. Place them low in the enclosure.. The CHE put in a dome fixture with a thermostat. The clamp on the dome fixture can fail and fall into the enclosure. It is best to run a cross bar over the top of enclosure and hang the fixture.

 

[wellington]

Unfortunately you have some misinformed info
Sand and soil should not be used.
A tube flourescent for uvb along with an incandescent FLOOD bulb for basking and the ceramic heat emitter for any added day heat needed and night heat.
He has already been raised very dry and that's why he is pyramiding. Get some dampness in the enclosure to try and reach 50% humidity for and adult, 80% for hatchlings in a closed chamber.
A 4x8 foot is a minimum for an adult Russian.
Day temps should range from 75-80 with basking reaching 95-100.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

This is our tortoise Jeffrey we have had him almost a week now. I was wondering if you would recommend a ceramic heat lamp for overnight as I think it may get a little cold. He tends to choose too sleep under the wood hide rather than in his bedding area. I am going to change substrate to top soil sand mixture when I change it, only have the wood as that’s what was provided when purchased. Also have some tortoise mix seeds germinating which we will add when they start growing. Also is there anything else anybody would recommend.

Hello and welcome!

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but a lot of the set up is incorrect along with the substrate you plan on changing to, don’t use any kind of top soils or sand, I only say this because I want you to have a positive keeping experience

Your tortoise looks quite young still and could with being in a closed chamber set up to stop the pyramiding progressing any further, in this thread below, I go over why not to use the soil and sand, the right kind of equipment and substrates to use, sizing, care and a bit about diet at the end, hopefully it helps! I think you can apply the information to this set up to last them till they’re a bit bigger and ready for their permanent size

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Tom]

This is our tortoise Jeffrey we have had him almost a week now. I was wondering if you would recommend a ceramic heat lamp for overnight as I think it may get a little cold. He tends to choose too sleep under the wood hide rather than in his bedding area. I am going to change substrate to top soil sand mixture when I change it, only have the wood as that’s what was provided when purchased. Also have some tortoise mix seeds germinating which we will add when they start growing. Also is there anything else anybody would recommend.

Hello and welcome. Here are the tips:

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[JeffreyB]

Hello and welcome!

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but a lot of the set up is incorrect along with the substrate you plan on changing to, don’t use any kind of top soils or sand, I only say this because I want you to have a positive keeping experience

Your tortoise looks quite young still and could with being in a closed chamber set up to stop the pyramiding progressing any further, in this thread below, I go over why not to use the soil and sand, the right kind of equipment and substrates to use, sizing, care and a bit about diet at the end, hopefully it helps! I think you can apply the information to this set up to last them till they’re a bit bigger and ready for their permanent size

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

Thankyou for the info I think I’ll get the greenhouse cover until he’s? Older I do have some coco coir I will use for the base with some forest wood. I do have a couple of thermometers/humidity checkers in there temperature under basking light is 32 degrees with between 50&60% humidity and cooler end temp around 27 degrees with similar humidity. I was told not to wet the substrate for Horsefield when I bought it as not good for respiratory issues. I was also told uv light eco T5 unit light and heat lamp 12hrs a day should I change UV LIGHT to 4hrs. I will buy ceramic heat lamp for additional day/night and with temperature control plug heat asap.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thankyou for the info I think I’ll get the greenhouse cover until he’s? Older I do have some coco coir I will use for the base with some forest wood. I do have a couple of thermometers/humidity checkers in there temperature under basking light is 32 degrees with between 50&60% humidity and cooler end temp around 27 degrees with similar humidity. I was told not to wet the substrate for Horsefield when I bought it as not good for respiratory issues. I was also told uv light eco T5 unit light and heat lamp 12hrs a day should I change UV LIGHT to 4hrs. I will buy ceramic heat lamp for additional day/night and with temperature control plug heat asap.

So once they’re older, you’ll definitely need lower humidity, the level you have right now is good for an adult. It’s only whilst they’re younger you’ll need it higher, respiratory problems tend to come along when people use humidifiers because they make the air too wet, but dampening your substrate won’t cause breathing problems don’t worry, they aren’t going to be breathing in water droplets
T5 bulbs are correct for UV yes, may I ask what brand of uv it is you have? Could you post a pic of the bulb/packaging?

Yeah just your basking and any ambient lighting should be on a 12hour timer and your t5 tube UV can be on the 4hours, it’s not that you’re doing any harm having the uv on the same timer, but it’s more that it’s wasting your bulb life unnecessarily, having them on the same timer is just an old fashioned rule that has stuck with a lot of keepers, it stems from the belief that once basking is on, ie the ‘sun’ that uv must coexist at the same, fact is though, no tortoise in the wild is blasted with 12hours of uv a day, if you take a uv solar meter, you’ll discover the uv rays only peak for a few hours, therefore it’s fine to mimic that in captivity and save your uv bulb as they’re more expensive to replace, hopefully that all makes sense

 

[JeffreyB]

So once they’re older, you’ll definitely need lower humidity, the level you have right now is good for an adult. It’s only whilst they’re younger you’ll need it higher, respiratory problems tend to come along when people use humidifiers because they make the air too wet, but dampening your substrate won’t cause breathing problems don’t worry, they aren’t going to be breathing in water droplets
T5 bulbs are correct for UV yes, may I ask what brand of uv it is you have? Could you post a pic of the bulb/packaging?

Yeah just your basking and any ambient lighting should be on a 12hour timer and your t5 tube UV can be on the 4hours, it’s not that you’re doing any harm having the uv on the same timer, but it’s more that it’s wasting your bulb life unnecessarily, having them on the same timer is just an old fashioned rule that has stuck with a lot of keepers, it stems from the belief that once basking is on, ie the ‘sun’ that uv must coexist at the same, fact is though, no tortoise in the wild is blasted with 12hours of uv a day, if you take a uv solar meter, you’ll discover the uv rays only peak for a few hours, therefore it’s fine to mimic that in captivity and save your uv bulb as they’re more expensive to replace, hopefully that all makes sense

These are what I’m using. Then looking to get then some sort of green house covering to help keep the humidity up while he is young.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

These are what I’m using. Then looking to get then some sort of green house covering to help keep the humidity up while he is young.

They all look fine to me, only thing I can’t really comment on is the brand of the uv, generally in the uk I’d recommend going for the Arcadia proT5 kit 12%, they’re considered the best on the market, maybe consider switching over come bulb changing time, I believe the prices are similar when I’ve looked this one up

 

[JeffreyB]

Which bedding would you recommend highest out of the following I have ordered a ceramic heater for at night and a greenhouse cover to go over him to keep humidity up plus thermostat plugs for temperature control. Just want him to be happy and healthy also at what age is best to let the humidity lower to 50% as don’t want to do it to soon or too late.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Which bedding would you recommend highest out of the following I have ordered a ceramic heater for at night and a greenhouse cover to go over him to keep humidity up plus thermostat plugs for temperature control. Just want him to be happy and healthy also at what age is best to let the humidity lower to 50% as don’t want to do it to soon or too late.

They’re all good options tbh, both the barks are good brands, if using coir, I’d personally use it as a base, I tend to find I see a lot of member who just use the coir on its own, it can get a bit too dry and dusty on top, whereas having a layer of bark on top seems to lock in the moisture underneath a bit better, though you could technically just use the bark on its own, your guy might like burrowing down in the coir though so feel free to give both a go

Generally speaking it tends to be around the age of 3+ people start to lower the humidity, but if you feel their growth is on the slower side (they all have different rates) you could go up to age 4, after that you’ll be perfectly fine without a top

 

[JeffreyB]

They’re all good options tbh, both the barks are good brands, if using coir, I’d personally use it as a base, I tend to find I see a lot of member who just use the coir on its own, it can get a bit too dry and dusty on top, whereas having a layer of bark on top seems to lock in the moisture underneath a bit better, though you could technically just use the bark on its own, your guy might like burrowing down in the coir though so feel free to give both a go

Generally speaking it tends to be around the age of 3+ people start to lower the humidity, but if you feel their growth is on the slower side (they all have different rates) you could go up to age 4, after that you’ll be perfectly fine without a top

Thanks one last question hopefully. I was also told to keep him inside until 3 as bacteria from letting out in garden could be dangerous for him(in closed top large run with shaded areas) Is this true or would it be ok for him on the warm dry days?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

They all look fine to me, only thing I can’t really comment on is the brand of the uv, generally in the uk I’d recommend going for the Arcadia proT5 kit 12%, they’re considered the best on the market, maybe consider switching over come bulb changing time, I believe the prices are similar when I’ve looked this one up

Just in case, Reptile Systems makes good UVB equipment, on par with ZooMed or Arcadia. Definitely no need to replace the whole kit for Arcadia ProT5.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks one last question hopefully. I was also told to keep him inside until 3 as bacteria from letting out in garden could be dangerous for him(in closed top large run with shaded areas) Is this true or would it be ok for him on the warm dry days?

Don’t you worry if you have more! We love people who ask questions
So it’s right that’ll they’ll need housing in a closed chamber till roughly that age, but a few hours of sunshine on warm days, in a nice secure run won’t do any harm, just not long periods whilst they’re a baby and I’d supervise any outdoor time whilst they’re smaller just to be extra safe

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Just in case, Reptile Systems makes good UVB equipment, on par with ZooMed or Arcadia. Definitely no need to replace the whole kit for Arcadia ProT5.

Thank you for pointing this out Alex! I wasn’t certain on the brand so I’m glad you’ve clarified!

 

[Ray--Opo]

Another great tool to have is a infrared temp gun. You can spot check temps. They are not expensive. Just dont point at any eyes.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Another great tool to have is an infrared temp gun. You can spot check temps. They are not expensive. Just dont point at any eyes. View attachment 377454

Yeah these are honestly so so handy!

 

[JeffreyB]

Don’t you worry if you have more! We love people who ask questions
So it’s right that’ll they’ll need housing in a closed chamber till roughly that age, but a few hours of sunshine on warm days, in a nice secure run won’t do any harm, just not long periods whilst they’re a baby and I’d supervise any outdoor time whilst they’re smaller just to be extra safe

I have covered the table in some plastic sheeting which has helped bring the humidity up to between 65&70% at heated end and between 80&90% at cooler end also increased the temperature at night with a ceramic heater. We have changed substrate to cococoir since this he is just burying himself and staying under wooden hide all day is this ok? We are having to take him out to soak in the evening then he eats and goes straight back under the log. I changed the bulb to more powerful one as was only getting to about 28 Celsius with 25watt but 75 watt is too high I cant move any higher due to plastic sheeting now but couldn’t drop 25 watt lower as worried about tortoise would you recommend a 50 watt or is 28 Celsius warm enough?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I changed the bulb to more powerful one as was only getting to about 28 Celsius with 25watt but 75 watt is too high I cant move any higher due to plastic sheeting now but couldn’t drop 25 watt lower as worried about tortoise would you recommend a 50 watt or is 28 Celsius warm enough?

Were these temperatures right under the lamp? Happy birthday by the way!

 

[JeffreyB]

Were these temperatures right under the lamp? Happy birthday by the way!

Yes these were directly under lamp at warm end