[split] Newbie with questions

[Tornado]

We just got our RT on the 3rd and do not know a ton about him. The store that we got him set us up with a spiral bulb for the UVB and a 100 watt bulb for the heat lamp and alfalfa pellets for his substrate.

Both bulbs are on the right side and is at 90-95F (on for approx 12hr - Tornado lives in our daughters bedroom). The left side has his water and half log and stays around 75-80F.

He spends a lot of time sleeping in his half log, usually only coming out when we put his salad in for him. Is this the same as burying?

Should I separate the bulb to distribute the light better? Add light? Get a better UV light? RT's need UVA & UVB? Where is he getting the UVA? Are the temps correct for him?

Thank you for your help!!


Keri

RT - Tornado - approx 3-5yrs
09.03.2013

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Keri, and welcome to the Forum!

You should get rid of that spiral bulb and replace it with either the tube-type fluorescent or an MVB (Mercury Vapor Bulb). The MVB has heat and UVB all in the same bulb, hence only one fixture. The spiral bulb has been known to irritate tortoise eyes.

 

[mikeh]

Keri, if you can, return the spiral UVB bulb. Tortoises will often hide from it. Like Yvonne said it may bother their eyes or worse.
Alfalfa pellets are unsuitable for tortoises as they sink in it, gives poor traction, it may mold and does not hold humidity. Cypress mulch, coco coir, coco husk chips are some of the better choices and for burrowing which Russian love. Latter also hold humidity better.

Your temps sounds about right.

If you tell us about the size and type of the enclosure, perhaps send picture, we may be able to give you further directions with lights.

 

[Saleama]

Welcome and good job seeking better advice! Good luck and enjoy the little guy!

 

[Tornado]

We are planning on building him something more permanent, not sure when, but this is what he is currently in.

We bring him out to the backyard for 1-2 hrs. We'd have him out there more often, but I'm not sure how long he can be out and in what temps.

The alfalfa drives my allergies wild, so we were going to switch out that. Someone else told me that dirt from our backyard would make an acceptable substrate for him as well.

Unfortunately, my husband threw out the boxes for the lamps and bulbs right away, so we won't be able to return it.


Keri

RT - Tornado - approx 3-5yrs
09.03.2013

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And we've moved his half log over by his water now, instead of below his heat lamp.


Keri

RT - Tornado - approx 3-5yrs
09.03.2013

 

[mikeh]

Re: RE: [split] Newbie with questions

We are planning on building him something more permanent, not sure when, but this is what he is currently in.

We bring him out to the backyard for 1-2 hrs. We'd have him out there more often, but I'm not sure how long he can be out and in what temps.

The alfalfa drives my allergies wild, so we were going to switch out that. Someone else told me that dirt from our backyard would make an acceptable substrate for him as well.

Unfortunately, my husband threw out the boxes for the lamps and bulbs right away, so we won't be able to return it.


Keri

RT - Tornado - approx 3-5yrs
09.03.2013

---

And we've moved his half log over by his water now, instead of below his heat lamp.


Keri

RT - Tornado - approx 3-5yrs
09.03.2013

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You can bring him out on nice days, same range temps as indoors. Sunny, or overcast with warmer temps is fine, with easy shade access at all times to escape sun if he gets too warm. Your backyard should be free of any lawn chemicals if he is to be in it, or graze on grass and weeds, which they love. He should be supervised at all times. Takes 2 minutes for tort to disappear never to be seen again.

Since you have him out for 1-2 hours per day, you don't need to worry about artificial UVB. He gets enough from the time being outside.

Those clamps on the lights are a hazard. They are known to fail or slip, potentially fire causing and/or can burn the tort if the clamp fails. If you must use a clamp, I would get a heavy duty clamp from hardware store as a safety back up.

Yes, dirt from backyard is ideal as well, so long it is free of any chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Russians don't need high humidity but still need some. His hide should be more humid.

Moving the hide to cooler end was a good move.

sent from mobile device using TFO app

 

[Tornado]

Thank you!

I'm so irritated with the advice we got from our reptile shop. Well, disappointed. They're a small, local business and reptiles is all they do. They do not breed their torts (they have an outside breeder), but they breed their own snakes and lizards. You'd think they would have given out better advice.


Keri

RT - Tornado - approx 3-5yrs
09.03.2013

 

[Tom]

Thank you!

I'm so irritated with the advice we got from our reptile shop. Well, disappointed. They're a small, local business and reptiles is all they do. They do not breed their torts (they have an outside breeder), but they breed their own snakes and lizards. You'd think they would have given out

Hello and welcome. Your experience is sadly not uncommon.

Please click the first link in my signature and read. There are some tips in there that should help you.