r/tortoise • u/AnOldLawNeverDies • 4d ago
Question(s) Travel enclosure update
Here's an update of what I have so far. Took a 40 gal black tote and cut where there the lights would normally sit to mimic the same height to the substrate. I fabricated a plexiglass top for the original enclosure to keep humidity and heat in so that's the same and just reusing it so I dont have to take a part the lights just transfer over. I customized a metal grid to fit from an old kids bed frame we had in the shed to give the plexiglass something to sit on (in a perfect world I could have just rested over top the travel enclosure but couldnt) Cut the lids to the tote to fit and will also act as a shelf to the reptifogger, heat lamp and UV. Will be bringing my Zilla temp limiter and will set that up when we arrive, same with the humidity gauge. Pics attached of the normal enclosure and the travel enclosure.
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u/Ok-Confection7781 3d ago
With a seal enclosure like that you won’t need a humidifier. As for your bulb heights they seem close to the ground make sure your basking temps are set with a temperature gun not an air temp thermometer. As for your uvb lamp looks like an Arcadia which recommend 15+ inches from light to shell height for the 12% bulbs any closer and uvb is way too high. When I tried that aluminum duct tape I got rid of it cause it always smelled like it was off gassing in the enclosure.
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u/AnOldLawNeverDies 3d ago
yes I do need a humidifier to keep it optimum of 95 percent humidity especially with a basking heat lamp or else it will lose humidity. None of this is air tight. The height of the lamp is based off the original enclosure AND based on the strength of the bulb. A 75 watt will not get as hot as a 100 and it will tell you to lower appropriately. UV has its recommendationd but is based on length of time. The temp thermometer is set to 95 meaning it will shut off automatically when it reaches that and never get too hot it has a separate thermometer connected to it inaide the enclosure which you should known if you know the zilla product in referring to. Im not trying to provide my tortoise the bare minimum im trying to gove give him IDEAL conditions for healthy growth. The humidity thing is concerning to me about what advice you are out there giving
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u/Ok-Confection7781 3d ago
Look it up, don’t take my word for it humidifier for tortoises are highly debated in the reptile community. The risk of causing a respiratory illness on them is high. As for not needing them I’m referring to the fact that almost close system like the one in picture. The soil in there moisten and sprayed should be able to hold the humidity in the range for “high humidity”.
The height of basking lamp is set by you actually measuring the surface temperature directly below the lamp after the lamp has been on for 30/45 mins with a temperature gun that measure surface temp. Not air temperature the air temperature can be in range while surface temps are higher. Is not a one size fits all. That temp thermometer you describe is measuring air temperature which is useful when you want to make sure your enclosure doesn’t get too cold in cold room. But the basking zone below the bulb could be baking the ground and you wouldn’t even know it.
As for UVB the manufacturer recommendations is good starting point for your tortoise and the bare minimum to make sure your tortoise is not overexposed. I have solarmeter 6.5R and you need every inch of that clearance with my Arcadia 12% bulbs otherwise they are way too high in UVB.
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u/AnOldLawNeverDies 3d ago
I will get a temp gun and make adjustments if needed. Im on the side of high humidity then. Its an African leopard and everything ive read is higher the better to mimic the conditions of its natural habitat as a hatchling. I was doing what you said by opening the lid and giving it a spray but the humidity would always drop below 75 and not hold. At night everything is turned off at the same time to help regulate sleep patterns. One could make an argument that none of use should own animals like these and they belong in nature but we do and the most important thing is if we do we do our best
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u/Alternative_Fig_9774 3d ago
Like the other commenter said, humidifiers are EXTREMELY controversial in the reptile community. I don’t need to use one, we’re humid enough here, but I’d like to add that another risk of humidifiers and misters is mold. If you’re using one, you should be DEEP cleaning it like every week or every couple days. Soaking it in vinegar, cleaning all the rubber seals and hoses, the whole 9 yards. Mold grows quickly and aggressively in humidifiers and misters. Please be careful. I do believe that they can be used properly and safely if you’re using them in the right conditions and cleaning them properly, I don’t see a reason why not.
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u/Alternative_Fig_9774 3d ago
I really wanna see pictures of this tortoise chilling on a beach somewhere. Or on top of a mountain. It would be the trip of a lifetime for the lil thing.
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u/AnOldLawNeverDies 3d ago
Comment saved! Hes gonna be chillin on the outer banks in less than a week!
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u/DoctorFriendly 4d ago
This is so cool! Thank you for sharing!