PLS HELP red foot enclosure

[Phern089]

Hi everyone I have a redfoot tort. Not sure how old he is. He's slightly bigger than the size of my entire hand. This is the cage he has. I was already told its not a really good one, but I covered the top with aluminum foil to try and keep the heat and humidity high. He has a strip uvb light and two ceramic heat lamps. One is 75w the other 35w. Im trying to transfer him into a better indoor cage because this one just does not retain the heat and humidity that he needs and its starting to make him sick. Hes making a whistle sound when he breathes. (Im taking him to the vet). No nose bubbles or any other symptoms. Hes super active and eating.
The problem is I’m not very crafty. I can’t build anything. And i dont have hundred of $$ to spend either. I was thinking a indoor greenhouse? I dont know someone pls help what about a huge plastic tub? But then I don’t know what I would cover the top with. I live in Florida, so ideally I would want him in my backyard. The problem is that I rent so it’s not like I can damage anything including the grass in the backyard to build him something.
Please help I love him so much.

 

[OkAdiza]

You could definitely try a pop up green house like one of these. There are many different sizes. If you want to switch out that enclosure, you could try a large bookshelf on its back with shelves removed, line it with a tarp or shower curtain and then top it with the greenhouse. Just look for a size tent to go over your bookshelf. You can hang your lights from the bar across the top. Example 1, Example 2 but don't use the fogger . @Maggie3fan has a great example using a pop up tent for a redfoot, but I can't find it. If she sees this, maybe she can link to it.
These are fairly inexpensive options that don't require real building. Using a very large plastic storage bin is also an inexpensive option.
Also check out this https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/info-for-new-people-please-read-this-first.202363/ if you haven't seen it already.
Hope this helps.

 

[OkAdiza]

Found one from Maggie. Check this post: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/what-are-good-redfoot-enclosures-for-inside.221999/#post-2163775 and scroll to post #5.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

@Littleredfootbigredheart can probably help you.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hey friend! At least the good news is once he’s big enough to live in a larger outdoor set up, you’re in the perfect climate for him! But yeah you definitely need a good closed set up to tire you over till then. Hopefully I can inspire some ideas here!

This housing thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, though if you can give tortoise safe access to natural sunlight for a few hours a few times a week, you could probably forego indoor uv), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for red foots(only way to maintain the humidity you need indoors), appropriately maintaining the humidity(they are prone to shell rot so this is important! No misters or humidifiers), safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a diet list and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Young red foot/ cherryhead set up

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information on an effective example of a starter enclosure for a red foot/cherry head😊 Care advice for these guys is painfully behind, fb pages, YouTube, pet stores, they’re all repeating the same outdated advice, this forum is made of...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chambers, some work better than others but it’s jammed full of ideas

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

I hope they can come in helpful! Let me know if any of the set ups stick out to you, I might still have the threads to them

 

[TammyJ]

Hi and welcome. You got some great advice. Any update?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Where are you in Florida?
If it's south Florida, BROWARD AVIAN AND EXOTIC is excellent with tortoises. Especially Redfoot and Sulcata.
Dr Pardini is from Columbia and is what I would consider a Redfoot specialist.
Dr Keleher owns a large Sulcata
Welcome to the forum