Think he may be unwell

[Anyfoot]

I agree with dmmj. I was writing my post as he posted. See if a vet can do a fecal.

 

[Daryn Blair]

Right.. over the weekend I am going to look at constructing an enclosed home for the wee guy, and will take your advice to use a UVB strip light with CHE running 24/7, can someone help me out with what I need to buy? I have seen this light strip but have no idea how to power it? do I need to buy a separate cable or something?

http://www.reptilecentre.com/exo-te...3PRmLk7AMZMAVj51t0dEtRoCULLw_wcB#.V-zKLk1TFaQ

Thanks

 

[Anyfoot]

You need a controller for the strip light. Something like this.
There are 2 types T5 or T8. Make sure you buy the correct controller for the bulb you buy. I use T5.
Also the bulbs cone in various lengths, all fit in the same controller, but you don't want to light the entire enclosure up. Aim for a light and darker side of your enclosure. For example in my 3ft long enclosure I have a 15" long uvb set at one end. Redfoots don't like it bright all over.

 

[Anyfoot]

Make sure your bulb is a 5.0 and not a 10.0. 5.0 are not as bright.

 

[Daryn Blair]

Hi Anyfoot, thanks for your response.. did you mean to attach a link to the one I would require?

Also does a 5.0 strip mean 5% uvb? I'm guessing I would need a standard household timer for the strip light & a thermostat to control the CHE.

Cheers

 

[Anyfoot]

Also your CHE needs to be on a thermostat, in a closed chamber it will overheat and kill your Tortoise without a thermostat. It will also save you money on electricity as the CHE will probably only be running 50% of the time as it trips in and out to maintain your temps. Whilst your at it I would get an infrared red heat gun to check temps. They are about £10/£20 on eBay. No need to get an expensive one.

 

[JoesMum]

You need a fluorescent light fitting for the bulb. I think that one is a T8 (which refers to the tube diameter) and you obviously need the correct length.

You can buy fittings from reptile shops... or more cheaply from a DIY store like Homebase or B&Q

 

[Anyfoot]

Oops. Sorry.

 

[Anyfoot]

Oops. Sorry. View attachment 188152

I plug this unit into a cheap timer I buy from asda. £3 for timer.

 

[Anyfoot]

I should read into this because I've never looked into it myself, but basically the 5.0 gives out a lower uvb reading than a 10.0 but also a lower level of light, which is what we want for redfoots.

 

[Daryn Blair]

Okay so.. buy a light strip 5.0 roughly half the length of the enclosure, a timer to control it & one of them controllers.. will I get away without one of them strip light canopy things? they seem rather expensive.

Cheers

 

[Anyfoot]

Okay so.. buy a light strip 5.0 roughly half the length of the enclosure, a timer to control it & one of them controllers.. will I get away without one of them strip light canopy things? they seem rather expensive.

Cheers

I don't use any light canopy.

 

[Daryn Blair]

Guys.. today i came back and there was no poop in his enclosure he had his soak and is now eating some lettice! I'll try getting this enclosure covered now..

 

[Daryn Blair]

This should do till the weekend.. and yep i understand his light is useless in terms of uvb but atleast he is warm and humid.

Cheers

 

[MPRC]

Just make sure he stays WARM, cold and humid are a recipe for disaster as well.

 

[Daryn Blair]

Yeah i put his thermometer under where the lamp is and its sitting about 30 degrees with humidity about 75 just now..

Id imagine in his hide will be around 26/27 now its covered..should hopefully help him recover untill i build an enclosed one at the weekend

 

[Daryn Blair]

Quick update.. he is now in an enclosure i made from a kitchen cabinet i no longer needed.

I baught him all new lighting which is now on a timer and a thermostat running his che. Just waiting on his temps coming up this is his first night in it.

 

[crimson_lotus]

Everyone has already given you excellent advice, I just wanted to add that feeding egg generally creates messy poop for tortoises.

 

[Daryn Blair]

Everyone has already given you excellent advice, I just wanted to add that feeding egg generally creates messy poop for tortoises.

I will aim to change his protein source to chicken or something similar in this case to make sure it does not happen again.

I have a feeling it was a temperature issue because I had previously fed egg on a number of occasions and everything was fine.

Thanks though.

 

[Travis]

What type of 'lettuce' was that in his area? If it's iceberg lettuce, stop feeding him that as it has zero nutritional value. A good start for food for him would be the "Spring Mix" salad stuff you can find at grocery stores.