Recommendations for basking light, heat, ambient light?

[Foginthenoggin]

Hello, I recently got 2 sulcata tortoises about almost a week ago and here is their enclosure. It doesn’t have a cover but with more of my research, I learned with baby sulcatas it’s best to have a cover to keep humidity in. But for now, I have an open top enclosure. I’m looking for tips to improve my enclosure to raise healthy tortoises. I’m sort of confused on what basking and UV lighting to get? I know it’s best to get the long tubes for both but which brand? I also bring them outside in this enclosure outside for a few hours to get the uv in. Which there is probably no need for the uv light but I just wanna have it just in case I wanna keep them inside. As well, what ceramic heating element do I need? I read in Tom’s forum that there’s a thermostat you can get that has timer for basking, ambient lighting, and heating or are they all on separate timers? It’s just a lot of info to take in lol.

This is my enclosure

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! It can definitely feel overwhelming taking all the information here in at first, but fear not! There’s lots of folks here that can help break things down for you.

First up these two are going to need their own separate closed chamber enclosures,
tortoise of any species should NEVER be housed in pairs under any circumstances, they’re incredibly territorial, behaviours that look cute to us really aren’t, following one another and sleeping huddled up is all bullying the the tortoise world, you’ll eventually see more extreme signs of aggression. One can actually stunt the others growth as babies too. Anyone who tells you pairs are fine, have no idea what they’re talking about.
Small groups are ok when there’s lots of land and the correct male to female ratio.

For a basking light you want a flood bulb Arcadia brand does them

Most people use 50-75watt.

Fit uvb, recommended brands are Arcadia proT5 kit 12%, or, zoo med reptisun t5 10.0(hood usually sold separate)

You’ll need a CHE(ceramic heat emitter) to raise ambient temperature and provide night heat, they’re a none light emitting heat bulb. You’ll need two separate thermostats for each of the ceramics in the separate enclosures.

Timing wise, your uvb strips will be on a 4hour timer from around noon. Your basking bulbs will be on a separate 12hour timer, on the same timer have some ambient lighting, this can be a regular screw in led or strip lighting. The ceramics will run 24/7 on their thermostats.

For lighting placement, you want your basking bulb further one end, mounted as close to that as possible, your uvb.

The ambient lighting in the middle.

If using one ceramic in each enclosure, mount in the middle, if using multiple, mount them either end equal distance apart for a more even heat distribution.

The ceramic is going to need its own dome in each, and the basking light its own dome, the double domes aren’t practical unfortunately. Shoot for a 10inch diameter, with a ceramic fitting(not plastic)try looking up brooder domes

Hopefully you might find these links useful, I made this one based on the forums care information with added visual aids, covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, 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

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, some definitely work better than others

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

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

Really hope they help! Sorry it’s more to go over lol, but I’m hoping they help cover some of your questionswelcome to the forum!

 

[Foginthenoggin]

Hello! It can definitely feel overwhelming taking all the information here in at first, but fear not! There’s lots of folks here that can help break things down for you.

First up these two are going to need their own separate closed chamber enclosures,
tortoise of any species should NEVER be housed in pairs under any circumstances, they’re incredibly territorial, behaviours that look cute to us really aren’t, following one another and sleeping huddled up is all bullying the the tortoise world, you’ll eventually see more extreme signs of aggression. One can actually stunt the others growth as babies too. Anyone who tells you pairs are fine, have no idea what they’re talking about.
Small groups are ok when there’s lots of land and the correct male to female ratio.

For a basking light you want a flood bulb Arcadia brand does them
View attachment 392903
Most people use 50-75watt.

Fit uvb, recommended brands are Arcadia proT5 kit 12%, or, zoo med reptisun t5 10.0(hood usually sold separate)

You’ll need a CHE(ceramic heat emitter) to raise ambient temperature and provide night heat, they’re a none light emitting heat bulb. You’ll need two separate thermostats for each of the ceramics in the separate enclosures.

Timing wise, your uvb strips will be on a 4hour timer from around noon. Your basking bulbs will be on a separate 12hour timer, on the same timer have some ambient lighting, this can be a regular screw in led or strip lighting. The ceramics will run 24/7 on their thermostats.

For lighting placement, you want your basking bulb further one end, mounted as close to that as possible, your uvb.

The ambient lighting in the middle.

If using one ceramic in each enclosure, mount in the middle, if using multiple, mount them either end equal distance apart for a more even heat distribution.

The ceramic is going to need its own dome in each, and the basking light its own dome, the double domes aren’t practical unfortunately. Shoot for a 10inch diameter, with a ceramic fitting(not plastic)try looking up brooder domes

Hopefully you might find these links useful, I made this one based on the forums care information with added visual aids, covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, 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

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, some definitely work better than others

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

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

Really hope they help! Sorry it’s more to go over lol, but I’m hoping they help cover some of your questionswelcome to the forum!

Thank you for the detailed information! I plan to acquire another enclosure soon for one of them, along with improved lighting and heating.

 

[COmtnLady]

Tortoise Hatchlings need to be in an enclosed chamber for the first two or three of life. It is important because the humidity and temperatures need to be high for them to have the healthiest start, and there is no way to do that without it be a closed top.