Recommendations on basking?

[CharSparda]

I just created an enclosure for my redfoot since here in Mexico City the temperatures are going well below 50F. I’m using coconut coir on top of peat moss, it’s around 40 square feet which should be enough for her at her age (she’s 2 yo)

The thing now is that since it’s an open enclosure, it tends to get cold and she’s usually just standing under her basking lamp:



Yes that’s the basking lamp (black, no light), not the UVB, the UVB is just showing off lol

Any recommendations on how to make it a little bit warmer? I don’t think about basking pads (or whatever theyre called) since it’s waterproof cover on top of wood; should I just buy a lot of basking lamps?

 

[wellington]

You need to get ceramic heat emitters. As many as you need to keep the temp day and night at 85.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I just created an enclosure for my redfoot since here in Mexico City the temperatures are going well below 50F. I’m using coconut coir on top of peat moss, it’s around 40 square feet which should be enough for her at her age (she’s 2 yo)

The thing now is that since it’s an open enclosure, it tends to get cold and she’s usually just standing under her basking lamp:

View attachment 380839

Yes that’s the basking lamp (black, no light), not the UVB, the UVB is just showing off lol

Any recommendations on how to make it a little bit warmer? I don’t think about basking pads (or whatever theyre called) since it’s waterproof cover on top of wood; should I just buy a lot of basking lamps?

I would not expect any heater to be efficient with open table - technically you are heating the whole room.

You need some sort of cover - greenhouse top, DIY PVC pipe frame with painters plastic, coroplast or polycarbonate sheets, just sheets of expanded polystyrene insulation - whatever you may find. This will also help with humidity.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I just created an enclosure for my redfoot since here in Mexico City the temperatures are going well below 50F. I’m using coconut coir on top of peat moss, it’s around 40 square feet which should be enough for her at her age (she’s 2 yo)

The thing now is that since it’s an open enclosure, it tends to get cold and she’s usually just standing under her basking lamp:

View attachment 380839

Yes that’s the basking lamp (black, no light), not the UVB, the UVB is just showing off lol

Any recommendations on how to make it a little bit warmer? I don’t think about basking pads (or whatever theyre called) since it’s waterproof cover on top of wood; should I just buy a lot of basking lamps?

I do second the above comments in that you’re really going to struggle to maintain the environmental levels for a red foot indoors with an open top, it’s next to impossible to keep the humidity where needed, you’ll struggle with your temperatures constantly too
I’d remove the peat moss asap! It’s too acidic in ph bad can burn their plastron.
Ceramic heat emitting bulbs are much more suited to red foots as a heat source, they don’t technically need a basking lamp and it’s arguably much more desiccating on their dark shells. They thrive in a 80-86 temperature range, 82-84 being pretty perfect. The humidity they need, coupled with the low temperature you’re describing is a recipe for a RI.
If it’s a compact screw in UV bulb you’re using, they also aren’t the best or safest choice unfortunately.

I agree with the others that adding a top of some sort is going to help the issue here, definitely don’t just add more basking lamps, you want to switch to ceramics ideally.

I think you’ll hopefully find this thread below a useful read, I cover correct equipment(lighting heating, the right uv), levels, substrates, sizing, the importance of a closed chamber, appropriately maintaining humidity, there’s lots of visual examples for everything along with a really handy diet list&link!

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 one can also be really good it you to go over, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage checking purchase on here before buying too!

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

If you want some different visuals on closed chamber set ups, feel free to check this one out too!

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

Hope they help! Always happy to try and answer any further questions! Welcome to the forum

 

[Tom]

I just created an enclosure for my redfoot since here in Mexico City the temperatures are going well below 50F. I’m using coconut coir on top of peat moss, it’s around 40 square feet which should be enough for her at her age (she’s 2 yo)

The thing now is that since it’s an open enclosure, it tends to get cold and she’s usually just standing under her basking lamp:


Yes that’s the basking lamp (black, no light), not the UVB, the UVB is just showing off lol

Any recommendations on how to make it a little bit warmer? I don’t think about basking pads (or whatever theyre called) since it’s waterproof cover on top of wood; should I just buy a lot of basking lamps?

You need a closed chamber. Nothing else will work, and more heat will just dry the tortoise out and cause pyramiding.

You also need to get rid of the peat moss. That can burn the plastron and cause terrible sell rot. Coco cows is also not the best substrate for a RF, because to keep it from drying out, you have to keep it too wet and it will then cause shell rot. Orchid bark works best for RFs.