Last Friday I purchased a horsefield tortoise aged approx nearly 2 years. I informed them that I had a tortoise table top with a compact lamp and uva lamp.however I was informed by the reptile shop owner that without a vivarium I could not purchase a tortoise from him. As these had been raised in a vivarium and with being juvilniles would not survive in a table top environment. Although I had researched the best habitats, I wasn't sure whether this was best suited for a youngster. Hasten to say I purchased the vivarium

     The reptile shop delivered tortoise and vivarium. It has a compact lamp and uva lamp. It has a hide away. The floor has herbivore substrate.the heating  is controlled by a habistat advanced vivarium control. The vivarium is 3ft . The vivarium is set as by the reptile shop and never goes less than 90. 

     Am I doing the right thing, is this best for the tortoise. If I was to change to the tabletop would it have to be staged so they don't catch a chill. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I want to ensure the health and happiness of my tortoise thank you x

I't's a shame you weren't a TPG member b4 last Friday, or you wouldn't have bought a Horsfields. They are imported & mostly wild caught.

Cases like yours are all too common, this is MIS-SELLING purely to extract more money from you. The lighting (2 lamps) is poor, the substrate, [if green pellets] is unsuitable, as is the viv' & the constant temperature at 90F is ridiculous. It is hard to believe that the seller is so stupid as to think any of the above is necessary.

Order a "Megaray" uvb bulb & an 8ins reflector dome [online], put soil from your garden in your 'table' & you have all you need. Order by 2pm for same day despatch.

Email the shop & ask them to collect the equipment & give you a full refund or you will take them to the 'small claims court'. Keep everything in writing & attach a copy of my post.

What is the name of the shop please ?

Keep us informed,

Tom

May I say a big big thank you for your response much appreciated. I have encountered difficulty logging into the site but have managed since opening another email address. The store that sold it was Warrington pets and exotics and the chap was lee Owen whom refused to sell unless I purchased the vivarium. I have even sought advice from my local vets whom stated that tiddles was fine the habitat fine and he is healthy. However, I am now going online to order the items you advise and will forward photos to ensure it is correct and will ensure tiddles a long and happy life. Could you also please advise, should I turn the light off at night. Lastly would it be okay to use coco compact Eco block compost as I have been advised that this is loved by tortoises .Can't thank you enough for your advice really . Also should I switch the mega bulb off at night xxx

An update tiddles has now been placed in his new home today. Mega Ray lamp and done in place. I have to say what a difference, this tortoise has come to life. He had a fab and active afternoon tottling up and down a small hill i have made for him. Trampling in his food and water pots but looking happy, inquisitive and enjoying his surroundings. He has regularly basked under his lamp, then at six pm dug deep in his hill and gone to sleep. The temp at the colder end of his enclosure is 17.5 c and under his lamp 34c  his humidity levels are 32 and he is on coco Eco compost. He has not eaten this pm and not sure if coco compost to dry, hope he won't inhale fine dust from it. I do worry about everything lol.  This is much better than the  vivarium where he was very sleepy and inactive. Cheers Cathy x