i only have one uv heat lamp for my tortoises and ive noticed that the havent been eating or moving much is it because its colder? what do i do? here is a photo of my setup.
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Too Cold..
- Thread starter Jaburto99
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i only have one uv heat lamp for my tortoises and ive noticed that the havent been eating or moving much is it because its colder? what do i do? here is a photo of my setup.
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What are the cool/hot temps?
It could be, but not knowing the exact temp inside the enclosure it will just be a guess. They need a warm side and a cool side plus a place to bask..
Yes, we really need those temps, please. Also are you soaking them (and how often and for how long?), since I don't see a water source for them, unless I am just missing it. Just sorta gives me the feeling of dryness. 
i really dont know the temperatures what do i need for this?
what do i need for this?
This is likely your problem...and can be fixed quickly...Yaaaayyyyyy...
so you can purchase the thermometer at pet store or home depot or the like....but for this moment look around your house and find a thermometer and out it in your enclosure at the hot spot (not laying on the soil but on something that is the height of your tortoise) and you will let it sit there for around 15 minutes and this will allow you a better idea of the temp...you can also do this in the cool sides....
so you can purchase the thermometer at pet store or home depot or the like....but for this moment look around your house and find a thermometer and out it in your enclosure at the hot spot (not laying on the soil but on something that is the height of your tortoise) and you will let it sit there for around 15 minutes and this will allow you a better idea of the temp...you can also do this in the cool sides....
With your setup...I like a 100w MVB at one end and a 100W CHE at the other. The CHE can sit over their hide...and the MVB should sit over a flat stone...such as slate, flagstone or a stepping stone...you get the idea.
I see. well i just soaked them and i actually dont have a thermometer =( i think by wednsday ill have enough cash to pick up a CHE bulb then. should i have a water bowl in there?
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If cash is a challenge right now....go to a dollar mart or the like and get some type of small thermometer so you can at least get an idea of your temp...they are babies so it especially important to know they are not too cold, you know?
Yes, a water dish is good I would also be concerned during the night when you turn off that day heat lamp if the temp drops way low as well..
I know lots of folks use and like CHEs but they can be pricey if on a budget....you can pick up a second heat bulb (just a basking light not a MVB) and also a night heat bulb ...and will likely be less than the one CHE.....just a suggestion
Oh...one other thing forgot to mention...that mesh top you have your MVB sitting on is blocking most of the uvb/uva benefits form that bulb...you will want to resolve that as well...maybe you can put together a different cover that does not go between the light and tortoise surface...the uva is a feel good ray... in addition to the necessary uvb and heat...
Yes, a water dish is good
I would also be concerned during the night when you turn off that day heat lamp if the temp drops way low as well..I know lots of folks use and like CHEs but they can be pricey if on a budget....you can pick up a second heat bulb (just a basking light not a MVB) and also a night heat bulb ...and will likely be less than the one CHE.....just a suggestion
Oh...one other thing forgot to mention...that mesh top you have your MVB sitting on is blocking most of the uvb/uva benefits form that bulb...you will want to resolve that as well...maybe you can put together a different cover that does not go between the light and tortoise surface...the uva is a feel good ray...
in addition to the necessary uvb and heat...
M
Maggie Cummings
Guest
Is your bulb one of the coil bulbs?
You can buy a black light bulb for $4 and they keep your animals very warm. Then you can save up enough money to afford a CHE.
You can buy a black light bulb for $4 and they keep your animals very warm. Then you can save up enough money to afford a CHE.
Ok, so you have 3 babies in a glass terrarium, with 1 "UV" heat lamp?
The temperature output by that one bulb coupled with the glass terrarium is probably overkill. All the heat builds up in the enclosure and you can literally cook those little guys.
1st) You need to get a thermometer, preferably a infrared gun type.
2nd) You need a hygrometer, a device that tells you what the humidity is. Air moisture is very important for smooth growth in all tortoise species expecially young ones.
Before you do anything else get the temperature directly under the heat lamp to 90 degrees. Check this at intervals during the day. 1 hour after the light is on, 3 hours after the light is on, 6 hours after the light is on. That way you can establish what the temperature stabilizes at.
At night you want to keep the temperature above 75 degress, if you the terrarium is inside then more than likely you will already be doing this because your house is heated. If your thermostat in the house is set for 78 degrees, you dont really need a night heat lamp. If the terrarium is in the basement or a room with no heat then you need a heat lamp (ceramic heat emitter) to do the job.
With the lights you should use a timer to regulate when the "day" UV light comes on, and when the "night" CHE comes on.
***Remember the sun rises and heat increases over the course of the day, then tapers off and dies down at the end of the day. That is what you want to duplicate.
Once you have the temperature correct then you can start wetting the soil/substrate in the enclosure, you want the humidity level to be around 70%. You need the hygrometer to get this right, the good news is that its pretty easy with a glass terrarium to get the humidity to the correct level.
Lastly I want to add my 2 cents because I know from experience, I am raising 1 sulcata indoors. You are in for a big shock if you get the husbandry practices right. You are going to need alot more space, and alot more money. Not just for lighting but for food as well.
In case you are wondering how much room, well let me show you, this is Livingstone at 2 years. Thats an 8' by 5' enclosure. That enclosure is on its 3rd rebuild.
Goodluck and please PM me if you have a question, I want you to raise 3 happy sulcatas.
The temperature output by that one bulb coupled with the glass terrarium is probably overkill. All the heat builds up in the enclosure and you can literally cook those little guys.
1st) You need to get a thermometer, preferably a infrared gun type.
2nd) You need a hygrometer, a device that tells you what the humidity is. Air moisture is very important for smooth growth in all tortoise species expecially young ones.
Before you do anything else get the temperature directly under the heat lamp to 90 degrees. Check this at intervals during the day. 1 hour after the light is on, 3 hours after the light is on, 6 hours after the light is on. That way you can establish what the temperature stabilizes at.
At night you want to keep the temperature above 75 degress, if you the terrarium is inside then more than likely you will already be doing this because your house is heated. If your thermostat in the house is set for 78 degrees, you dont really need a night heat lamp. If the terrarium is in the basement or a room with no heat then you need a heat lamp (ceramic heat emitter) to do the job.
With the lights you should use a timer to regulate when the "day" UV light comes on, and when the "night" CHE comes on.
***Remember the sun rises and heat increases over the course of the day, then tapers off and dies down at the end of the day. That is what you want to duplicate.
Once you have the temperature correct then you can start wetting the soil/substrate in the enclosure, you want the humidity level to be around 70%. You need the hygrometer to get this right, the good news is that its pretty easy with a glass terrarium to get the humidity to the correct level.
Lastly I want to add my 2 cents because I know from experience, I am raising 1 sulcata indoors. You are in for a big shock if you get the husbandry practices right. You are going to need alot more space, and alot more money. Not just for lighting but for food as well.
In case you are wondering how much room, well let me show you, this is Livingstone at 2 years. Thats an 8' by 5' enclosure. That enclosure is on its 3rd rebuild.
Goodluck and please PM me if you have a question, I want you to raise 3 happy sulcatas.
Here. You need this.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-How-To-Raise-Sulcata-Hatchlings-and-Babies#axzz1fhiLZWYT
This will answer all your questions and get you started in the right direction.
Here are a bunch of other threads that might help you too.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Helpful-Threads#axzz1fhiLZWYT
Temps are everything to a reptile. You need to got to Walmart or Target or any hardware store and buy a $10 remote probed thermometer. Drive, walk, ride a bike, take a bus, but do it today. You are responsible for the well being of these animals. Not knowing your temps, and controlling them is a good way to get them sick. I'm not trying to be overly harsh or insulting. I AM trying to impress upon you the importance of knowing and controlling your reptile's temps.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-How-To-Raise-Sulcata-Hatchlings-and-Babies#axzz1fhiLZWYT
This will answer all your questions and get you started in the right direction.
Here are a bunch of other threads that might help you too.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Helpful-Threads#axzz1fhiLZWYT
Temps are everything to a reptile. You need to got to Walmart or Target or any hardware store and buy a $10 remote probed thermometer. Drive, walk, ride a bike, take a bus, but do it today. You are responsible for the well being of these animals. Not knowing your temps, and controlling them is a good way to get them sick. I'm not trying to be overly harsh or insulting. I AM trying to impress upon you the importance of knowing and controlling your reptile's temps.
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Triplets huh? Hope you have a huge lawn, or at least will in a few yrs!
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