Temps to keep enclosure at?

[Supersmile]

finally getting Tortola this weekend to babysit for winter! yay! i already made its enclosure ( will post pictures when lola is in their) im going to name it too bc i dont like its old name, its changed 4 times since they have had it :/ but imma name it lola

ok back to its enclosure. hahaha well its top is open so im not sure how well the heat will stay in. itll get about 60 in the house here so was wondering should i keep light on all the time? or if i need i have a small heater i can put int he room that will heat it up to about 75. should i use that?

and in another post someone said it would be ok to bring my 5-6 inch sulcata outside in the snow sometimes in the winter. im in CT so it gets really cold would it really be ok if i stay out and watch it?

 

[pdrobber]

I wouldn't keep a heat light on all the time. You could use a ceramic heat emitter at night...I wouldn't bring my tortoise out in the snow...I know some do, but they are usually quite larger tortoises.

 

[AnthonyC]

"in another post someone said it would be ok to bring my 5-6 inch sulcata outside in the snow sometimes in the winter. im in CT so it gets really cold would it really be ok if i stay out and watch it?"--
Is this true? I've never heard of this before. Sounds crazy to me!

 

[Tony the tank]

Anthony this last storm we got about 3-4" I opened the door Tony walks outlook a few bites of the snow and turned right around and went back in..Tiny on the other hand didn't seem to be all that bothered by it....walked around for a few...then I guided him back inside ..otherwise i swear he would have stayed outside...

I know some here state that there torts go out in the winter..My torts would need to borrow tunnels in the snow...

 

[Tom]

Here are some helpful threads for you, Supersmile. I would not let a tropical African species out in the snow. As Hector demonstrated, a minute or two won't kill a large one, but the temps are much too cold and they just aren't made to handle that. They need it dark AND warm at night. I like to use ceramic heating elements and some people use "black" incandescent bulbs. I would use a bulb AND the room heater for a room that cold. The more humid and damp you choose to keep it, the warmer it will need to be in order to keep them from getting a respiratory infection. I like 80 for babies and down to 70-75 is great for older ones that are relatively dry.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Helpful-Threads#axzz1ckWzqdVo

 

[SteveP]

My temps are 80-95 during the day and 75 at night. I control this by a 60watt regular bulb during the day and a 60w black light at night. These are on a timer and alternate.

 

[fbsmith3]

My temps are 80-95 during the day and 75 at night. I control this by a 60watt regular bulb during the day and a 60w black light at night. These are on a timer and alternate.

How big is your enclosure?
How far is the bulb from the substrate?

I only ask because I use a 100 watt basking bub and I can never get anywhere near 90. Maybe my enclosure is too big, my wife says I spoil my turtle, but I never feel it's enough.