cat litter / bark

[carl20]

the best way to raise a tort is to raise it like it would live in the wild, there is nothing in a torts environment that is anything like the pellets nutritionaly, these will cause kidney/liver failure due to to much protein.

[veebee]

Hi Andy, I bet your poor head is reeling with all the advice!! But dont worry we have all been there, these pet shops and dealers will try and sell you anything to squeeze a bit more money out of you. Its great that you are taking all this advice on board, you will certainly be doing the best for your tortoise, keep up the good work and keep posting the pictures and asking the questions.

Vivienne

I tell you what, Pet Shops have a bloody lot to answer for. They should be called profit shops!

All the advice above is great and at least you've come and got it before it's too late mate.

I trudge out in all bloody weathers for weeds, but if you want your Tortoise to be healthy it's gotta be done. I pick a few and keep a special salad shelf in the fridge just for them. If washed they keep in there for three days, they don't go all limp and lifeless.

Good Luck Andy!

[ANDY T]

thank s a lot for all your advice

all of you

so what s the best way to measure the temp-in my torts layer

just a standard thermometer

i got a 60W normal bulb for that light i posted and this would give a better over head output but would need the temp to be spot on if i was to use it

[veebee]

Hi Andy, when you say normal bulb do you mean spot bulb, they are the ones that have silver up the sides you get them from any supermarket etc, if it is yes that will be fine in that lamp you posted a picture of, just point it downwards preferably on a rock eg slate, the temperature should be between 30-35 centigrade directly under the spot light and cooler around it so the torty can regulate its own temperature. It is also best to put the uv strip at the same end as the spot bulb so that the heat is at one end only.

You can get reptile thermometers from reptile shops, mine was a little circular one cost £2.99.

Vivienne

[nina]

I seem to be obsessed with thermometers <lol>, and have just got another one from Dazza. It's one of those ones with a probe, and I think they're better than the ordinary type (the ones with suction cups, etc.). It says hibernation thermometer, but you can use it in the enclosure. See this thread:
http://forums.shelledwarriors.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=831

[ANDY T]

where s the best place to by my t Rex light

or even a standard u v for now

any particular wattage

can you get em any size

dose any one no if Newcastle has got any good ones

[Henry-flash]

Sarah sells them in her online shop

Don't get normal uv Andy it will be of no benefit - you must have uvb full spectrum at least 5% more if you can get it, and do give nutrobal too.

[ANDY T]

so the t Rex is the daddy will it fit in the lamp i posted before

whats the difference between spot & flood ????

Sarah's got them in her shop

but wont they break dead easily in the post ???

i have just received my use less tort pellets

they must be of use to some one

ill see if he will except em back

so would i just need to leave the t Rex on like for 12 hours then i can turn it off in the evening ?

with out leaving any thing on

are they dear to run ???


the bulbs seem dear every where Ive looked