How do you guys hang the lights? And what do you cover the home with when using these plastic bins? And what is the optimal size to start with (in gallons)?? Is there a description on how to make one of these that anyway can post a link to?
Rubbermaid bin home question.
- Thread starter Hallbomber
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I don't have a rubbermaid bin, but I do have a similar open structure (it's actually the bottom of an old guinea pig cage... LOL). I simply use a clip to clip to the side of my bin - I know the majority of people here are against clips, because they, in time, all fail, but if you can add a safety net to your setup (for example, my lamp has rope tied to the base, so it wouldn't fall in if the clip were to fail), then I think clipping is fine.
As for the gallons, I don't think you really need something so deep. I find it's easier to control the temperatures, and especially the humidity, in a more shallow container. Think something like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermai...mfort-Blue-Set-of-6/16539901?findingMethod=rr
Cover isn't necessary either - well, unless you have natural predators in your home that will attack an uncovered baby. As long as you can keep the humidity up, cover isn't a big deal.
I'll attach a few pictures of my own setup, for reference:
Humidifier (goes off for 15 minutes every 2 hours):
Oops! I didn't check your post count or previous posts before posting that
It looks like you're looking for something different than I thought. I thought you were a new person trying to figure out where to put their tortoise!
Disregard
As for the gallons, I don't think you really need something so deep. I find it's easier to control the temperatures, and especially the humidity, in a more shallow container. Think something like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermai...mfort-Blue-Set-of-6/16539901?findingMethod=rr
Cover isn't necessary either - well, unless you have natural predators in your home that will attack an uncovered baby. As long as you can keep the humidity up, cover isn't a big deal.
I'll attach a few pictures of my own setup, for reference:
Humidifier (goes off for 15 minutes every 2 hours):
Oops! I didn't check your post count or previous posts before posting that
It looks like you're looking for something different than I thought. I thought you were a new person trying to figure out where to put their tortoise!
Disregard
Last edited by a moderator:
Here's where my guys live:
I've got two Russian tortoises: one male, one female, both about 4 inches long and weighing around 215 g. Each one lives in its own 55-gallon Rubbermaid bin, and each one has its own 150-Watt CHE hanging overhead, as well as an ambient temperature thermometer, hot spot thermometer, and hygrometer. They share the same 48" UVB fluorescent bulb; its cover rests directly on top of the bins. Their substrate is 100% coco coir, which holds moisture well. The bins are not covered, because Russian tortoises do well in the ambient humidity here. Each bin normally contains a half-log hide, water dish, food dish, and cuttle bone. However, neither tortoise is home right now, because they are both brumating in a 2-cf mini fridge. Of course, during the growing season, they get plenty of time outdoors, too.
I've got two Russian tortoises: one male, one female, both about 4 inches long and weighing around 215 g. Each one lives in its own 55-gallon Rubbermaid bin, and each one has its own 150-Watt CHE hanging overhead, as well as an ambient temperature thermometer, hot spot thermometer, and hygrometer. They share the same 48" UVB fluorescent bulb; its cover rests directly on top of the bins. Their substrate is 100% coco coir, which holds moisture well. The bins are not covered, because Russian tortoises do well in the ambient humidity here. Each bin normally contains a half-log hide, water dish, food dish, and cuttle bone. However, neither tortoise is home right now, because they are both brumating in a 2-cf mini fridge. Of course, during the growing season, they get plenty of time outdoors, too.
knight_visionn said:I don't have a rubbermaid bin, but I do have a similar open structure (it's actually the bottom of an old guinea pig cage... LOL). I simply use a clip to clip to the side of my bin - I know the majority of people here are against clips, because they, in time, all fail, but if you can add a safety net to your setup (for example, my lamp has rope tied to the base, so it wouldn't fall in if the clip were to fail), then I think clipping is fine.
As for the gallons, I don't think you really need something so deep. I find it's easier to control the temperatures, and especially the humidity, in a more shallow container. Think something like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermai...mfort-Blue-Set-of-6/16539901?findingMethod=rr
Cover isn't necessary either - well, unless you have natural predators in your home that will attack an uncovered baby. As long as you can keep the humidity up, cover isn't a big deal.
I'll attach a few pictures of my own setup, for reference:
Humidifier (goes off for 15 minutes every 2 hours):
Oops! I didn't check your post count or previous posts before posting that
It looks like you're looking for something different than I thought. I thought you were a new person trying to figure out where to put their tortoise!
Disregard
Hey knight vision I am thinking of adopting a new baby Sulcata who was neglected and is now in a pet store, and i was thinking of trying a different setup than i have my two leopards in.
Thnks guys.
I had my tort in a rubbermaid bin for a month or so before i built a tortoise table. for the lights, i used two pieces of wood to go across the top of the bin, and rested the lights on top of that. a very temporary fix, but it worked great!
Hallbomber, I like the light stands like GeoTerraTestudo shows above. The UVB/basking light should shine directly down, not at an angle, so these work well for that. Also, with the light stands you can move the light up or down to get your basking temps just right. I got mine at Petsmart, but they may be cheaper online.
For my tub, I cut the lid in two, and used one half piece to cover one side. Over the other side, I placed a leftover separator wire panel from an old dog crate. Fit well enough, and there I sat my UV fixture and my CHE.
I use the 50 gallon roughneck Rubbermaid (they are blue and found at walmart) They have actual light holders on the sides of them so you don't have to buy lamp stands. I don't have pictures but I will try and post some tonight on your thread so you can see for yourself. These tubs are big enough for a huge hideaway, one water bowl and one food dish.
I cut a piece of plywood about 4" longer than the bin, screwed 2x4's standing up on each end, as high as I wanted the lights to be, then screwed a 1/2 x 1 piece across the top, 2x4 to 2x4.
...and yes, that IS my kitchen table!
...and yes, that IS my kitchen table!
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GeoTerraTestudo said:
Pardon my ignorance but "brumating"? Please explain >.<
DanaLachney said:
In casual conversation, we use the terms "hibernate" and "brumate" interchangeably. But technically, mammals hibernate and reptiles brumate.
Mammals have a constant body temperature that works optimally at higher temperatures (90-104*F, depending on the species). In order to become dormant for the winter, mammals use a certain set of hormones and enzymes that will allow their metabolism to slow down. Reptiles, on the other hand, have a variable body temperature with a lower optimum temperature than mammals (usually 80-90*F, depending on the species, and in some species even lower). Thus, for a reptile to become dormant, there is less preparation involved, and they basically just cool down and go to sleep or become inactive.
So, here on TFO, we may say our tortoises are hibernating or brumating, but we are referring to more or less the same thing: sleeping through the winter.
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