tortoisetrustforum.org

Thanks for everyones advice, we are now able to go ahead with getting our tortoise. We are having a tortoise table made to measure about 118cm by 64cm. What lighting/heat will we require and where would be best to position it? Does the light get turned off on a night? Do people recommened a thermostate? We were told by petshop owners that it will be no good for a tortoise table. Our main concern is that we do not have the house heating on during the night (as it is too warm). Sorry about all questions just difficult to know what is best when petshop owners are telling us different things. We are a little confused about all the equiptment, like the uv lights and heat lamps.

I have been keeping iberas for over 30yrs, and mine have never had heat at night time. Only the heat of the house (no central heating on) so thats not a problem, unless your house goes down to below 5c on a regular basis:0)

Remember shop keepers are thinking of their profits not the tortoise. They love to sell lots of things you dont need for tortoises to do this. Such as a heat mat, pelleted foods and of course the dreaded VIV.

You have a choice of heat/lighting, most keepers use the UV/heat combined lamp, which lasts up to two years, but is a little expensive to start with. Or a UV tube and a spotlight. The UV tube has to be changed every six months, as the UV depleats quickly in these.
The lamp you can either clamp on the side of the enclosure or hang from above.
Darren of Kimbos reptiles is a brilliant help here with lamps etc, he keeps tortoises himself, and wont sell you things you dont need.

I keep hearing that there should be a mx temp of about 32c at one end than 10 degress less at the other end. With a tortoise table how do u regulate the temp at the unheated end.

It will be very close to ambient.

Andy