Shelloises enclosure is 3 feet long, she fits in the palm of my hand. It doesnt heat the whole enclosure and she is not feeling great. Should she be in a smaller tank?
Size to big?
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She needs at least 80 - 85 degrees and some good humidity. Mine sits under the heat emitter during the morning hours, and the temp. is around 87 under onr heat emitter. The other heat emitter is over her hide. Is the top of the tank covered to hold the heat and humidity. What size tank is it? I have my smallest one in a 95 gal tank that is covered with two heat emitters (60 wt. each) on each side with a long tube UVB light in the middle. If she is cold, she will shut down and not eat, and eventually get sick.
You really can't have too small of an enclosure. However, you do have to make sure it is warm enough all over and the right humidity. Basking has to be 95-100. They have too get warm enough to process the food they eat. I'm not sure what kind of tort you have. If its a leopard or sulcata, read Toms threads below on proper care, heat and humidity.
You can also check out the tortoisetable.org for more care of other species. It's a site from one of our members.
You can also check out the tortoisetable.org for more care of other species. It's a site from one of our members.
shelloise said:
I don't know gallons, But it is 3' long, 18 high, and 2' wide. The che is 150 and not really hot.. Shows 75 on ground. Doesnt make sense that the heat is not going up higher. Maybe i need a new che or else a couple of 100 redlights with a dimmer that I can turn the light low
I have it humid, the top is covered, but the tank isnt more than
75 and that is directly below the che.
Is it really cold in your house? I have a 20gal enclosure and since it has been cold here the last few days I am lucky if my temps reach 91/82/80. I even keep my bedroom door closed so it stays warmer in my room than the rest of the house. I keep a CHE and a Mercury Vapor Bulb right next to each other on the warm side. Maybe it is just too cold for what you have right now? I'd suggest making sure the CHE is working and if it is maybe buy a 2nd one to bring the temps up to what they should be.
If your CHE is 150 wt. and it's only 75 on the ground...something is wrong. I just checked my CHE's and they aren't 60 wt. Sorry....they are 100wt. I thought they were 60. But with both on, my viv is in the high 80's. I always use the temp. gun on the ground too. 75 is not hot enough for a small Chery Head, IMO. I was told to keep the temp. at around 85 - 90 for the little ones.
When they're not feeling well its good to put them into a hospital tank. That usually means a 10 gallon aquarium. Or you can just temporarily section off your big habitat to a smaller area and move all the lights, etc. over.
I ran out and bought a couple more heat bulbs (150) and domes, so I can have a steady heat thru the whole tank. If that doesnt work to bring up the temp I will section the tank.
I think though I will section off the tank, and try the bulb. The clamp lamp hAs a dimmer switch on it so there won't be a lot of red light
She is about a foot from an outside wall and window. There is absolutely no draft. My house is always warm, about 23.
I would have thought the che would have been enough
I think though I will section off the tank, and try the bulb. The clamp lamp hAs a dimmer switch on it so there won't be a lot of red light
She is about a foot from an outside wall and window. There is absolutely no draft. My house is always warm, about 23.
I would have thought the che would have been enough
wellington said:
Sorry, she is a cherry head redfoot
I understand the humidity and heat requirements. What I am having the problem with is the heat. Which is the reason she isnt eating. The other posssibility isthe che is all of a sudden is not working well anymore. Also that I moved the location of the tank? The main concern is because she had a rough start i was told after i got her,, that the breeder was not the greatest and he was not suprised that she has issues. She is also the same size that she was when I got her.. She is about 7 or 8 months old. I am worried that because she had a rough start, and is not growing, is that she is not going to be ok
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wellington said:
I am glad this thread came up as I just purchased a 6ft long tank (150 gallon) for Master Oogway (leopard baby) and everything is just right in his 10 gallon tank. So maybe I will wait to move him over when he begins getting more active as he grows. I don't want to have to worry about him not getting warm in a larger tank.In the meantime I can set it up, plant plants, & let him run around there when he is up and active. I hope you get it all working keep us posted.
MasterOogway said:
Thanks, I love shelloise and am hoping putting a 150 bulb will work better than the che. The smaller tank is a great idea.. So hopefully.....
MasterOogway said:
What type/heat source do u use in your ten gallon?
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I am glad this thread came up as I just purchased a 6ft long tank (150 gallon) for Master Oogway (leopard baby) and everything is just right in his 10 gallon tank. So maybe I will wait to move him over when he begins getting more active as he grows. I don't want to have to worry about him not getting warm in a larger tank.In the meantime I can set it up, plant plants, & let him run around there when he is up and active. I hope you get it all working keep us posted.
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What type/heat source do u use in your ten gallon?
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I am using a ZooMed Powersun 100W which is recommended for 20 gallons and larger tank so I was worried when I first began to use it as I watched it closely but it is keeping the tank at the temps it should be. I also have a temperature probe going in his hide so I can watch if it gets too hot or cool. I do live up north and my house temp is kept at 72-74 degrees. I also have a under tank heater on the warm side.I have noticed on warmer days I have to turn off the under tank heater and colder days it stays on. We have a wood burner so on warm days it gets warmer than 72 degrees so I have noticed the room temperature has an affect on the tank.
[/quote]
What type/heat source do u use in your ten gallon?
[/quote]
I am using a ZooMed Powersun 100W which is recommended for 20 gallons and larger tank so I was worried when I first began to use it as I watched it closely but it is keeping the tank at the temps it should be. I also have a temperature probe going in his hide so I can watch if it gets too hot or cool. I do live up north and my house temp is kept at 72-74 degrees. I also have a under tank heater on the warm side.I have noticed on warmer days I have to turn off the under tank heater and colder days it stays on. We have a wood burner so on warm days it gets warmer than 72 degrees so I have noticed the room temperature has an affect on the tank.
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can you post a picture of your enclosure?
Sorry, I can't get the photo to attach. Her tank is 3'x18 high and 24" wide. Lots of plants, a log to go under, water bowl to soak in , uvb tube , 150 bulb.
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