Reptile UVB and grass

[KODY CORDUAN]

Well, I imagine someone must have experimented with this and come to some conclusion.. but maybe I'll give it a shot either way. Does the uvb reptile bulb proved adequate light to grow plants.. especially grass.. in the enclosure? Does this substitute a plant light, or is the spectrum too limited? I'm talking about specifically the zoo med, exo terra, zilla brands?

 

[Filburt]

I haven't tried grass, but I have cantaloupe seeds sprouting in mine and they would probably survive if Filburt didn't eat the seedlings right away

 

[KODY CORDUAN]

Ha, yeah that's why I'd like to cut out a section of my lawn and stick it in there... I'm going to give it a shot.

 

[Scubaroo]

I have grass growing inside my patio enclosure. I have had it growing for about 4 months now with no issues from lighting. The main problem is my tortoilet loves his grass so his main spots he lays on are dying.

 

[KODY CORDUAN]

Does it get pretty full sun in the patio?

 

[Tom]

You can grow plants indoors with the UV tubes. They are not the best light source for plants, but they can work. You'll need 3 or four tubes to make it bright enough for grass. Be sure you mount them far enough away from the tortoise that it doesn't supply too much UV. Best if you use a light meter to be sure.

This is the meter to go with:
https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html
Some people complain about the $250 price tag, but in the long run, it will save you a lot more than that since you aren't replacing bulbs that are working perfectly fine every six months.

 

[KODY CORDUAN]

Oh nice, I never even knew those existed, I'll certainly pick one up

 

[Yvonne G]

It was my understanding that our reptile UVB lights put out the wrong spectrum for plants. @Markw84 ?????

 

[Markw84]

Plants thrive best when plenty of intensity and plenty of reds and blues. The UVB tubes we now use do produce good blues and OK reds. However, as @Tom mentions, the intensity overall is too low for great growth by most plants and especially grasses. Doubling UVB tubes or tripling just gives too much UV as they are designed to give 40% of their energy as UV. The best solution I use is use a good UVB placed properly for the tortoise but then add a double tube fixture with plant grow lights that have the balance towards reds and blues plants use most. You can limit the UVB on time to 4 hours midday but the other tubes create a great ambient and photoperiod for the tortoise and plants. Be sure to put in plenty of potted plants with overhangs the tortoise can find "shade" for a light gradient.

I do think you will find you need light way too bright to grow grass and that intensity would be hard on the tortoise in an enclosure. With the setup above you will grow many plants but end up with pretty thin grass if it even survives the tortoise!

Also keep in mind as you add ballasts to a closed chamber it becomes easy to overheat. May be worth using remote ballasts for fluorescent grow light or going with good LEDs

 

[KODY CORDUAN]

Alright, well I'll stick to outside grass! I did plant a variety of flowers, kale etc.. and as soon as they sprouted he was was eating them up!