a different approach

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Posted by brad on July 04, 2000 at 10:37:21:

In Reply to: A great link for the actual cost of a tortoise posted by Heather on July 03, 2000 at 20:12:45:

: Here is a page from the Tortoise Trust's FAQs
: Here is the link for the page

: This outlines the costs beyond the tortoise.

I understand the motivation for this, but the
prices are inflated. While it may be
a good thing to scare people away from keeping tortoises,
it isn't good to give out inaccurate info.

: 20"-deep x 30"-wide x 9"-high terrarium $130

Concrete mixing tub of these dimensions $10-$12
Plus the tub has opaque sides, which many people
feel is better for the tortoise than a glass
terrarium.

: Full spectrum (UVA/UVB) lighting $ 48

Give your tort a few hours of sunshine a week,
put some d3 in his diet, and use a GE sunshine
bulb ($6) in a workshop/countertop fluorescent
light fixture for a little bit of UVB, and
you can save lots of money. Light fixtures
can be had for about $7-$10.

The key to saving money - don't buy it
at the petshop if at all possible. Go to
your local monster hardware store.
I equipped my Russian's enclosure with
two 48" Sunshine bulbs in a workshop
light fixture for about $22. Less than
the cost of just one much smaller "reptile"
bulb.

: Ceramic heat emitter and reflector $ 55

I'd save a ton on this and buy a pack of
household light bulbs and a reflector domed
worklight at the hardware store. Total
cost: $10-$12. The ceramic heater
isn't a bad thing and might save money
in the long run over light bulbs, but
the light bulbs put out heat AND light,
which promotes basking behavior.

: Veterinary exam and fecal analysis $ 25

Price is too low, at least around
here. More like $45-$50, plus a
few bucks more if

: Vitamin & calcium supplements $ 12

About right.

: Shallow glazed ceramic tip proof water dish (not applicable for turtle) $ 8-$12

Maybe. I don't provide a water dish for my
Russians, but you would have to spend a couple
bucks to get a soaking bucket for them.

: Bird/raccoon/escape proof outdoor enclosure 6'x6' Variable

Good idea if you have a yard for it.

: Sunlight, fresh air, and water FREE
: TOTAL $282 - minimum

Or about $113 if you shop around. That'll
still scare away the casual turtle shopper.

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Re: a different approach Marissa 07/04/00 (0)
Re: a different approach Heather 07/04/00 (0)

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: : Here is a page from the Tortoise Trust's FAQs : : Here is the link for the page : : : This outlines the costs beyond the tortoise. : I understand the motivation for this, but the : prices are inflated. While it may be : a good thing to scare people away from keeping tortoises, : it isn't good to give out inaccurate info. : : : : 20"-deep x 30"-wide x 9"-high terrarium $130 : Concrete mixing tub of these dimensions $10-$12 : Plus the tub has opaque sides, which many people : feel is better for the tortoise than a glass : terrarium. : : Full spectrum (UVA/UVB) lighting $ 48 : Give your tort a few hours of sunshine a week, : put some d3 in his diet, and use a GE sunshine : bulb ($6) in a workshop/countertop fluorescent : light fixture for a little bit of UVB, and : you can save lots of money. Light fixtures : can be had for about $7-$10. : The key to saving money - don't buy it : at the petshop if at all possible. Go to : your local monster hardware store. : I equipped my Russian's enclosure with : two 48" Sunshine bulbs in a workshop : light fixture for about $22. Less than : the cost of just one much smaller "reptile" : bulb. : : : Ceramic heat emitter and reflector $ 55 : I'd save a ton on this and buy a pack of : household light bulbs and a reflector domed : worklight at the hardware store. Total : cost: $10-$12. The ceramic heater : isn't a bad thing and might save money : in the long run over light bulbs, but : the light bulbs put out heat AND light, : which promotes basking behavior. : : Veterinary exam and fecal analysis $ 25 : Price is too low, at least around : here. More like $45-$50, plus a : few bucks more if : : Vitamin & calcium supplements $ 12 : About right. : : Shallow glazed ceramic tip proof water dish (not applicable for turtle) $ 8-$12 : Maybe. I don't provide a water dish for my : Russians, but you would have to spend a couple : bucks to get a soaking bucket for them. : : Bird/raccoon/escape proof outdoor enclosure 6'x6' Variable : Good idea if you have a yard for it. : : Sunlight, fresh air, and water FREE : : TOTAL $282 - minimum : Or about $113 if you shop around. That'll : still scare away the casual turtle shopper.

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