Setting up my first tort table

[davidoneill]

Hi all will be picking up my 2 horsfields on Saturday and I am just starting to set their table up and I've got a couple of questions.
1. I will be using coir what depth should I be aiming for
2. At what height is best for me to set my uv light ( arcadia 36" 30w desert 10%+ lamp)
Many Thanks
Dave

[becciwales]

How old will they be?
They need enough depth to dig down into and be totally covered.

[davidoneill]

They will be approximately 6 months old. I am sure Gordon will correct me if I am wrong as I will meeting him on Saturday to collect them from him

[becciwales]

My middle 2 are off Gordon too :-)
I'd say 4-5 inches of substrate will be enough x

[Suze65]

Horsfields are serious diggers, so make the substrate nice and deep, at least 4 inches for 6month babies.

[Suze65]

Have a list of questions ready to ask Gordon.

[Gordon]

Have a list of questions ready to ask Gordon.

I hope not too many apart from maybe a divider I think you pretty much have it covered:-)

[Suze65]

I hope not too many apart from maybe a divider I think you pretty much have it covered:-)

Why not Gordon ? You're the best exotic tortoise keeper on here ( I had to say it, sorry )

[Gordon]

Why not Gordon ? You're the best exotic tortoise keeper on here ( I had to say it, sorry )

Thank you Suze but there are people who have a lot more experience than me

[Suze65]

Thank you Suze but there are people who have a lot more experience than me

Did you miss the punn, although you are a most excellent tortoise keeper and guru ( big smile )

[davidoneill]

I do apologise if this shows up more than once my computer is doing very strange things. Thank you all for your advice ☺. However I have a bit of a problem I have overlooked the depth of the table so when I put 4 inch of substrate in it makes the sides only 2.5 inches high. Will this cause me a problem so early on as I don't want any escapes

[emma_mcraf]

My tables are 12'' deep and I still have an overhanging lip around the edges to prevent climbers from escaping. Can you add a lip to yours? It does the trick and stops little corner climbers in particular from getting out. :)

[davidoneill]

My tables are 12'' deep and I still have an overhanging lip around the edges to prevent climbers from escaping. Can you add a lip to yours? It does the trick and stops little corner climbers in particular from getting out. :)
Yes I will be putting a overhanging lip on tomorrow to see how that goes and will look at making it a bit higher over the coming week's
Dave

[davidoneill]

Hi This is my updated pictures of my table I am just moving the position of the lights to try and get them correct is there anything that you recommend I change? Think I may get a smaller water bowl as this one looks a bit big
Thanks
Dave http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah291/davidoneill1/Mobile%20Uploads/20150306_160309_zpsuetqwx9c.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/davidoneill1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150306_160309_zpsuetqwx9c.jpg.html)
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah291/davidoneill1/Mobile%20Uploads/20150306_160303_zpsre2hkkzb.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/davidoneill1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150306_160303_zpsre2hkkzb.jpg.html)
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah291/davidoneill1/Mobile%20Uploads/20150306_160252_zpsji2a0dho.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/davidoneill1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150306_160252_zpsji2a0dho.jpg.html)

[alley cat]

Looking good, the only thing is how high is the uvb? From the photo angle it looks quite high.

[davidoneill]

Looking good, the only thing is how high is the uvb? From the photo angle it looks quite high.
Oops yep I just put it up there so I didn't break it lol. I will drop it down tomorrow. What height is recommended is it about 15 inches from there shell?
Thanks
Dave

[alley cat]

I am not sure as I don't use them but I am sure someone will help.
It probably tells you on the packaging.:-)

[emma_mcraf]

I think the recommendation is 12''. Good to see the lip around the edge. Hopefully that'll prevent escapees until you get around to raising the sides. :)
I'm sure you can't wait to get them in there now. :)

[davidoneill]

I think the recommendation is 12''. Good to see the lip around the edge. Hopefully that'll prevent escapees until you get around to raising the sides. :)
I'm sure you can't wait to get them in there now. :)
Yes i cannot wait, I've wanted one since I was a little boy but never got around to it. Sadly we had to have our dog put to sleep in October and my 6yr old was very upset so she asked if she could have a tortoise and I said no we can have 2 lol so we are both happy

[emma_mcraf]

Yes i cannot wait, I've wanted one since I was a little boy but never got around to it. Sadly we had to have our dog put to sleep in October and my 6yr old was very upset so she asked if she could have a tortoise and I said no we can have 2 lol so we are both happy

It was always my childhood dream too but I was never allowed one.
I'm really sorry about your dog. That must have been hard for you all. I'm sure the whole family are going to love your new torts. Can't wait to see photos of them. :)

[becciwales]

Me too, I always wanted one, now I have 5! :lol:

[Gordon]

Never seems to stop at one or two I should know :lol:

[becciwales]

Never seems to stop at one or two I should know :lol:

:lol: indeed x

[emma_mcraf]

:lol: indeed x

Yep, it becomes a passion, that's for sure! :lol:

[Pussygalore]

if you're getting a hatchling/small tort you don't need such a big water dish, if thats what its for, and tinies need to be able to get into it so it needs sinking or having shallow sides. If its for food then a slate or similar is better as again the tort has to reach the food and they don't eat like dogs from a dish but rather sit among the food if not on it. Bigger torts are fine with a dish but babies have tiny necks and heads, they need to tear their food with their claws so have to get at it. As for your combined bulb then go by the temp on the surface as to the height, to low and it will be to hot, to high to cold and you want it around 32-34c with the room temp about 20c which will be your cool end temp.