Questions?

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I use a 12% Arcadia uvb tube all my lights are Arcadia

It seems, that mesh top filters a lot of UV. You can place the fixture under the mesh (using wire/plastic ties and mounting brackets). Target UVI is 3.5-4.

P.S. - Too harsh UV can be one of the reasons for pacing. Definitely, not the case here but I'm glad we've checked the UV Index.

 

[Pamelav72]

Thank you I well fix that right away

 

[Pamelav72]

Your humidity gauge near the hanging lamp fixture is at 62% and 92% over on the cool side on the substrate. I'll bet humidity is fine in there. Set the gauge up on top of the white hide box for a while and se what it does. Its always higher when the gauge is resting on the substrate.

Your hand is toward the back of the cage with your Solarmeter. Is that directly under the UV tube? If yes, that level is a little low, and I would lower the florescent fixture a couple of inches, or build up the substrate a couple of inches under the bulb.

Thank you I will fix that right away

 

[Pamelav72]

It seems, that mesh top filters a lot of UV. You can place the fixture under the mesh (using wire/plastic ties and mounting brackets). Target UVI is 3.5-4.

P.S. - Too harsh UV can be one of the reasons for pacing. Definitely, not the case here but I'm glad we've checked the UV Index.

Ok I redid Russ enclosure how is this, also I read we should only keep that uvb light on for 3 hours what if Russ is not under it since Russ would have to climb the bridge to get some uvb? And if only 3 hours a day on is better what time should I put it on a timer my lights come on at 6am go off at 6pm. And really thank you a lot if I didn’t ask about the outdated info I think I would have ended my Russ’s life with the himidity being so high

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Just higher humidity won't kill him. A combo of low temperature and high humidity or sogging wet substrate can cause issues.

Even with a bridge UVI is pretty low. Solarmeter is 4" tall and this, usually, makes notable difference. But if you read 2.8-3.0 at bridge surface level - it's fine. You can "lure" Russ under UVB lamp if you place the basking lamp over this platform. Leave some distance between UVB fixture and lamp dome and tilt dome a little (e.g. 5 degrees) so heated area and area of UV exposure overlap but dome doesn't cast "UV shadow" (as you have the Solarmeter you can easily check that).

Actual UVB lamp schedule should be adjusted to your tortoise habits (no sense to keep UVB on during daily nap) but usually it's 4 hours around noon (e.g. 10AM to 2PM).

 

[Pamelav72]

Just higher humidity won't kill him. A combo of low temperature and high humidity or sogging wet substrate can cause issues.

Even with a bridge UVI is pretty low. Solarmeter is 4" tall and this, usually, makes notable difference. But if you read 2.8-3.0 at bridge surface level - it's fine. You can "lure" Russ under UVB lamp if you place the basking lamp over this platform. Leave some distance between UVB fixture and lamp dome and tilt dome a little (e.g. 5 degrees) so heated area and area of UV exposure overlap but dome doesn't cast "UV shadow" (as you have the Solarmeter you can easily check that).

Actual UVB lamp schedule should be adjusted to your tortoise habits (no sense to keep UVB on during daily nap) but usually it's 4 hours around noon (e.g. 10AM to 2PM).

Ok so I moved the heat lamp I’m getting 2.0 where heat lamp is on substrate where bridge is on substrate I’m getting 2.0-2.8 all the way down if aria’s walks across the bridge Russ is getting 3.0-3.7 across highest 3.7 in the middle of bridge is that ok so meter on substrate from heat lamp to end of bridge I’m getting 2.0-2.8 across unless Russ climbs on bridge I’m getting 3.0 highest being 3.7

 

[Pamelav72]

Ok so I moved the heat lamp I’m getting 2.0 where heat lamp is on substrate where bridge is on substrate I’m getting 2.0-2.8 all the way down if aria’s walks across the bridge Russ is getting 3.0-3.7 across highest 3.7 in the middle of bridge is that ok so meter on substrate from heat lamp to end of bridge I’m getting 2.0-2.8 across unless Russ climbs on bridge I’m getting 3.0 highest being 3.7

And now I’m putting it on a timer

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Ok so I moved the heat lamp I’m getting 2.0 where heat lamp is on substrate where bridge is on substrate I’m getting 2.0-2.8 all the way down if aria’s walks across the bridge Russ is getting 3.0-3.7 across highest 3.7 in the middle of bridge is that ok so meter on substrate from heat lamp to end of bridge I’m getting 2.0-2.8 across unless Russ climbs on bridge I’m getting 3.0 highest being 3.7

3.7 is a good reading. Yet you'll have to watch how much time Russ spends sitting on the bridge. You might need to increase timer to 6 hours or move UVB lamp under the mesh then. Suprisingly, tortoise may need more UVB exposure than bearded dragons to achieve healthy levels of D3 in blood.

 

[Pamelav72]

3.7 is a good reading. Yet you'll have to watch how much time Russ spends sitting on the bridge. You might need to increase timer to 6 hours or move UVB lamp under the mesh then. Suprisingly, tortoise may need more UVB exposure than bearded dragons to achieve healthy levels of D3 in blood.

If I put the uvb light inside I’m hitting 5.0-7 across lowest being 5 high test being 7 in the mid ends 5 on both sides and believe that is way to high so I had to put it on top of the mesh I was thinking maybe cut a hole in the mesh and hook the side of lamp so that the lamp is at the right height. To rich 3.4-4 but for now this seems to be were you said it’s good so far he has been on the bridge twice I feel like he don’t like where I placed his heat lol it’s like he likes it in the corner but we will see. Off topic but is it safe to feed him fresh rosemary?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

If I put the uvb light inside I’m hitting 5.0-7 across lowest being 5 high test being 7 in the mid ends 5 on both sides and believe that is way to high so I had to put it on top of the mesh I was thinking maybe cut a hole in the mesh and hook the side of lamp so that the lamp is at the right height. To rich 3.4-4 but for now this seems to be were you said it’s good so far he has been on the bridge twice I feel like he don’t like where I placed his heat lol it’s like he likes it in the corner but we will see. Off topic but is it safe to feed him fresh rosemary?

Oh, I see. As an option you can use an "aged" bulb (1-2 years old) - Arcadia tubes lose about 30% of UVB output a year on 12-hour cycle.

Rosemary is okay in small amounts, but not as a staple food. There is a good resource about edible plants - thetortoisetable.org.uk. It's overly cautious (e.g. high oxalates plants are marked as "Do not feed") but nevertheless is a good starting point.

 

[Pamelav72]

Oh, I see. As an option you can use an "aged" bulb (1-2 years old) - Arcadia tubes lose about 30% of UVB output a year on 12-hour cycle.

Rosemary is okay in small amounts, but not as a staple food. There is a good resource about edible plants - thetortoisetable.org.uk. It's overly cautious (e.g. high oxalates plants are marked as "Do not feed") but nevertheless is a good starting point.

I just want to say thank you so much for the info and help I greatly appreciate it and it makes me relieved that I’m doing the setup right instead of guessing I also watch that man on YouTube garden state tortoise he did a closed chamber set up but used play sand and reptisoil I was going to follow until I found this forum he also said you don’t really need a uvb light if you take your tortoise out side to get at least 15 mins of uvb will I can’t do that in Western Washington lol it’s raining now but when we get good weather I will do that

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I just want to say thank you so much for the info and help I greatly appreciate it and it makes me relieved that I’m doing the setup right instead of guessing I also watch that man on YouTube garden state tortoise he did a closed chamber set up but used play sand and reptisoil I was going to follow until I found this forum he also said you don’t really need a uvb light if you take your tortoise out side to get at least 15 mins of uvb will I can’t do that in Western Washington lol it’s raining now but when we get good weather I will do that

Chris Leone from GST is knowledgeable keeper and a good source of information on Hermanns and Greek tortoises.

He uses play sand and soil mix but doesn't specifiy proportions in his video and it's still not clear completely clear why impactions with sand happen in captivity (temperatures, diet, composition, sand type?). You, for sure, aware of "loose substrate" debates among bearded dragon keepers - same thing about sand in tortoise substrates.

"15 minutes outside" works only if sunlight UV index reaches 3-4 at least, so geography and season matter. If you plan to brumate your tortoise and keep it outside once he's grown, probably you won't need an artificial UVB source then.

 

[Pamelav72]

Chris Leone from GST is knowledgeable keeper and a good source of information on Hermanns and Greek tortoises.

He uses play sand and soil mix but doesn't specifiy proportions in his video and it's still not clear completely clear why impactions with sand happen in captivity (temperatures, diet, composition, sand type?). You, for sure, aware of "loose substrate" debates among bearded dragon keepers - same thing about sand in tortoise substrates.

"15 minutes outside" works only if sunlight UV index reaches 3-4 at least, so geography and season matter. If you plan to brumate your tortoise and keep it outside once he's grown, probably you won't need an artificial UVB source then.

Ok so here is the final set up well for now I went to my local nursery to get carex I looked on the turtle table and they had the green go I also got a sedge plant that was also safe I removed all those white rock like thingy so Russ doesn’t accidentally ingest so I hope this works well I need to get isopods next