Mr. RussianTortoise
Well-Known Member
Recently I've been told in the forum that I was using the wrong lighting. So what kind of heat lighting, uvb lighting, and cermaic heat emmitter should I use for my Russian tortoise?
What lights?
- Thread starter Mr. RussianTortoise
- Start date
I don't understand why you keep asking the same questions that have already been answered... Are you not reading the responses?
Here is a breakdown of the four heating and lighting essentials:
- Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
- Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. In most cases you'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night. Some people in colder climates or with larger enclosures will need multiple CHEs or RHPs to spread out enough heat.
- Ambient light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in LED bulb types are both fine.
- UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. In colder climates, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. I like the 12% HO bulbs from Arcadia. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html A good UV bulb only needs to run for 2-3 hours mid day. You need the basking bulb and the ambient lighting to be on at least 12 hours a day.
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Mr. RussianTortoise
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I just get nervous
I have a Russian and followed Tom's advice. UVB strip and incandescent flood bulb.
But, I live in the UK and don't use overnight heating. Our flat is quite warm, I have a digital thermo/hygrometer in the enclosure and a temp gun & feel like I don't need night time heating right now. They are okay in quite low temperatures compared to other species.
I'd definitely get some smart plug timers. I have UVB for 4 hours a day and basking for at least 12.
But, I live in the UK and don't use overnight heating. Our flat is quite warm, I have a digital thermo/hygrometer in the enclosure and a temp gun & feel like I don't need night time heating right now. They are okay in quite low temperatures compared to other species.
I'd definitely get some smart plug timers. I have UVB for 4 hours a day and basking for at least 12.
Mr. RussianTortoise
Well-Known Member
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B52C8SE/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G7USPY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
Which one do you guys recommend?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G7USPY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
Which one do you guys recommend?
These links seem to lead to a lot of halogen & LED bulbs? You need incandescent flood bulb for basking and UVB tube.
Either should work, I'd go with the first one just because it's cheaper
The links are for regular incandescent floods, unless I'm missing something
Oh, I'm not sure then. It brought up an amazon search list for bulbs for me but might be that the listing isn't available in my area.
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Incandescent bulbs may be illegal in your area.
They are becoming very hard to get everywhere.
When you find some, buy in bulk.
SuzanneZ
Well-Known Member
Do you use black 75 watt at night in winter?
No bulbs that give off black, red, etc light should be used
Tube fluorescent
Incandescent flood
Ceramic heat emitter for night heat and if added day heat is needed.
Don't get nervous and just pay attention to what you are being told. You are making it much harder than it needs to be.
Straight tube fluorescent for UVB
Incandescent flood bulb for light, heat, basking
Ceramic heat emitter for night heat and if added day heat is needed.
It's really that simple
SuzanneZ
Well-Known Member
mojo_1
Well-Known Member
Tortoise don't like the different colored bulbs they see things more vividly then humans. We don't need to force them down a bad acid trip of colors and hurt their eyes.
Red causes torts to eat stuff they shouldn't. The black are useless, gives off some heat but a regular bulb will give off heat and light that specially in the winter months are needed and there should be no lights on at night of any kind.
SuzanneZ
Well-Known Member
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