general HELP!!!!

[claire/taz]

hi all, to start id better tell you about my viv.

Its 4x2 viv with half substrate and half aspen with a habba hut with hay in for sleep time. it has a 100w clay and a uvb bulb 26w ive taken the doors of cuz of humidity.

The temp dont seem to be getting up to what it should be atm its sitting at 27. I have a heat mat in there but its not turned on cuz i've just found out that there no good but the guy in the reptile shop says there ok for under the bed at night time.
Im really confused on who i should take notice of and who i shouldnt listen too. HELP!!!!!!

[EquestrianBabe]

Hi Angel,
Firstly, you're tort might like it better in a tort table, being in a vivarium can be stressful, because the tortoise can see out and will want to try to get out more.

It would be best also to use soil as substrate, aspen can be dry and it's not very natural. The Habba hut sounds OK, except, Timothy hay is the only hay really suitable hay for tortoises.

Your temps need to be about 32c, and you could lower the bulb a bit so it's warmer, but in a way the tort can't burn him/herself. I can't really offer advice about lighting as I'm not much of an expert myself on the subject. A UVB bulb is good, UV plays a good part in a tortoises life.

Sorry if I've confused you more!
- Courtney

[FinnGB]

Pretty much what EB said tortoise tables seem the way to go.

But working with what you have I would turn the radiator up in your room to bring the overall temps up, close doors ect so less drafts.

If the temps are too cold try putting one of the doors on the basking side so it holds the warmth a bit more. At night times put both doors on since it will be sleeping anyway but leave a gap each side to allow air in/out or pop the air vent out at the back. I've read glass stresses tortoises out, you could cut a cardboard piece the same size and and side it in.

[ziggy's owner]

Well I use vita verda hay with dried rose or dandelion in, and ready grass, what kinda tort do you own

[EquestrianBabe]

She says in the Introduction that it's a Horsfield.

[ziggy's owner]

It didn't in this post, that's why I asked, all it says is about her viv, sorry

[claire/taz]

here is some photos of my set up.

[FinnGB]

Very cute tort He's not camera shy he hehe

[gregnobes]

nice salcata i would get it in to a table they grow very large i would start thinking about building a shed for it

[joanna]

Greg is right you have a sulcata not a horsfield I would contact whoever sold you this as a horsfield. Sulcatas are lovely but get huge!

Regarding the heat, the size ceramic you have will be giving off little heat at the level of the tort. You need a higher wattage or better still a combined bulb.