Redfoot plants for indoor enclosure

[Katielynn]

New Redfoot tortoise mom here!! I’m having trouble with humidity and just ordered an automatic mister with timer. I live in Wilmington NC and I am wanting to plant some plants in his enclosure but I’ve read not to buy any from Lowes/Homedepot where can I get safe plants for him? Also what bedding would I need to use? I currently use coconut fiber. Any help is appreciated! I’m so overwhelmed trying to get everything right!

 

[Thomas tortoise]

To keep the humidity right you should use a viv. Or a fully enclosed enclosure.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings.

Take a read here. It contains a ton of info. Enclosures, lighting, substrate, food & more.

➡️ https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/redfoot-tortoise-caresheet.172531/

 

[Katielynn]

To keep the humidity right you should use a viv. Or a fully enclosed enclosure.

What is a viv? This is his enclosure

 

[Katielynn]

Greetings.

Take a read here. It contains a ton of info. Enclosures, lighting, substrate, food & more.

➡️ https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/redfoot-tortoise-caresheet.172531/

Thank you for sending this over but now I’m even more overwhelmed. This has been the complete opposite of anything I have read so far and now I feel even more overwhelmed 😢. So this is saying coconut on bottom layer with mulch on top? My boy digs down. I’ve been told a UVB is absolutely necessary and I have purchased the T5 12%. I have a juvenile I was told by the guy at the pet store. He has a baking spot but was mainly hiding under the rock over the basking spot. Now in his larger enclosure he stays on the cooler end around 70 degrees with no lighting. I’m so lost

 

[Thomas tortoise]

A viv. Is short for vivarium. That tortoise table won't hold enough humidity unless you have a very humid room. Humidity should be 80% or more btw. and the lights should be inside the enclosure if they are not that will create a chimney effect. It pulls the humidity up and out of the enclosure. You could also use a mini greenhouse or make your own. You can get plastic off of Amazon and make one out of that.

 

[Thomas tortoise]

Thank you for sending this over but now I’m even more overwhelmed. This has been the complete opposite of anything I have read so far and now I feel even more overwhelmed 😢. So this is saying coconut on bottom layer with mulch on top? My boy digs down. I’ve been told a UVB is absolutely necessary and I have purchased the T5 12%. I have a juvenile I was told by the guy at the pet store. He has a baking spot but was mainly hiding under the rock over the basking spot. Now in his larger enclosure he stays on the cooler end around 70 degrees with no lighting. I’m so lost

Don't listen to the pet store people. They almost never know anything about tortoises and they are to embarrassed to say that! This is the only website you can trust. Google and YouTube are absolutely no help either.

 

[Katielynn]

A viv. Is short for vivarium. That tortoise table won't hold enough humidity unless you have a very humid room. Humidity should be 80% or more btw. and the lights should be inside the enclosure if they are not that will create a chimney effect. It pulls the humidity up and out of the enclosure. You could also use a mini greenhouse or make your own. You can get plastic off of Amazon and make one out of that.

 

[Katielynn]

Thank you so much for your help. This has been so much and I’ve spent so much $ and almost want to give up but I really don’t want to! What type of green house or making my own what would it look like? What kind of plastic and how would I hand the lights? Sorry for all the questions I’m just so lost and clueless on everything.

 

[Katielynn]

Thank you so much for your help. This has been so much and I’ve spent so much $ and almost want to give up but I really don’t want to! What type of green house or making my own what would it look like? What kind of plastic and how would I hand the lights? Sorry for all the questions I’m just so lost and clueless on everything.

I’d like to add he will be inside only

 

[Thomas tortoise]

Thank you so much for your help. This has been so much and I’ve spent so much $ and almost want to give up but I really don’t want to! What type of green house or making my own what would it look like? What kind of plastic and how would I hand the lights? Sorry for all the questions I’m just so lost and clueless on everything.

Don't worry. I was asking the same amount of questions and that is how I learned what I know. You can attach a wood piece on the inside of the enclosure so you Can attach a light on it. And I don't really remember the exact plastic I used so you'll have to browse for some. And I will try to come back with more pictures of some greenhouses.

 

[Katielynn]

Don't worry. I was asking the same amount of questions and that is how I learned what I know. You can attach a wood piece on the inside of the enclosure so you Can attach a light on it. View attachment 341293And I don't really remember the exact plastic I used so you'll have to browse for some. And I will try to come back with more pictures of some greenhouses.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[Thomas tortoise]

You could maybe place this over your tortoise table. Or make your own.

 

[Thomas tortoise]

It would be much more cheaper to make your own.

 

[Katielynn]

It would be much more cheaper to make your own.

Thank you! I’m going to look into this! Do you have any recommendations on vivariums? Or how about aquariums? And 55 or 75 gallon?

 

[Unkapunka]

I have a yr. old redfoot. I have a plexiglass cover I cut a hole in for heat and my light is in the middle on a board. I have an african violet as one plant under the light. It's hard for plants to thrive with little light. Good luck and you will figure out all the stuff you need.

 

[Thomas tortoise]

Thank you! I’m going to look into this! Do you have any recommendations on vivariums? Or how about aquariums? And 55 or 75 gallon?

Depends on what size/age your tortoise is.

 

[Thomas tortoise]

You can easily take a large tank and put plexiglass on from and make a door with hinges. Although I don't know how to put the lights inside a tank.

 

[Katielynn]

I have a yr. old redfoot. I have a plexiglass cover I cut a hole in for heat and my light is in the middle on a board. I have an african violet as one plant under the light. It's hard for plants to thrive with little light. Good luck and you will figure out all the stuff you need.

Thank you! Do you have any UVB lighting?

 

[Katielynn]

You can easily take a large tank and put plexiglass on from and make a door with hinges. Although I don't know how to put the lights inside a tank.

Thank you! I think I’m going to switch to a tank.