I have a 9 year old African Sulcuta Tortoise that is very healthy. I've had her living with some folks in the high mountains that suited her very well and the weather conditions are ideal. I have now brought her back to my house where I am trying to re-adjust to owning a tortoise. I live in Southern CA, so the temperatures are not something that I am concerned with.

One thing that I am looking into is "soaking" her in water. She is at least 50-60 IBS and rather large now, I am thinking of using a kitty pool and filling it maybe 1/3 (appropriate measurements so I don't drown her..) Should I even do this? I know that people do this for their young tortoises from ages 1-4, but I do not see much about ages 5+.

I have constructed a dog-igloo with a heat lamp securely inside for a burrow. I also have carpeting hanging from the entrance, cut every 2 inches, to stop wind-flow so that she can retain her heat indoors.

Lastly, what do you feed your tortoise? I know she has had a fruits/vegetables diet for sometime now. I have stopped the fruit intake as I know it is not necessarily good for her, and I have brought in some grass hay with a mix of vegetables. Hoping to ween her off of vegetables all together one day.

It has been a while since I have had her at my house and I want to do it right, let me know please, thanks.

Originally I said 9 years of age, but I mixed something else up, she is actually 16 years old.

How old were she when you got her? (since you're asking for help on how to care for her)

putting a tortoise in water is to encourage them to pee and poop (atleast smaller tortoises, i got no experience with africans)
tortoises love weeds, #1 is usually dandelions

I got her when she was a couple months old. She was TINY.. I'm interested in soaking so that she intakes more water. It is a good method for baby tortoises, but since she is 16 I don't know.