First New Enclosure Build - UV lighting Advice Needed Please

[Kelly.324]

Hi,

I’m pretty new to tortoise ownership, only having had my Russian, Sebastian, since November.
His current table is far too small and I’m planning on building a new one. My DIY skills are limited to say the least. I was debating on converting 2 Ikea bookcases into a table for him? Would these be suitable? My main concern was if the sides would be high enough? If not i could build him a custom 4x8 it would just take longer (and I might have a few injuries in the process lol)

My main question is how do I work out what uvb light size and strength I would need for either of the spaces? Maths is not my strong suit and I’ve really confused now.
And how high does it need to be, positioning etc?
I’ve read so much conflicting advice and am now super confused about what uv light would be best so any advice would be great, so as usual I’m hoping you guys would be able to help me and Sebastian .


Thank you

 

[Yvonne G]

I really like the Zoo Med light stands:

https://zoomed.com/reptile-lamp-stand/

You may need a couple of them, maybe even three of them, for your book case/enclosure. But you can position them anywhere they're needed. I would place the UVB light in the center of the book case with other heat/lights at either end.

 

[Kelly.324]

I really like the Zoo Med light stands:

https://zoomed.com/reptile-lamp-stand/

You may need a couple of them, maybe even three of them, for your book case/enclosure. But you can position them anywhere they're needed. I would place the UVB light in the center of the book case with other heat/lights at either end.

Thank you, I think I’ve just read too much and confused myself. It’s the UV one I’m most confused about it. So if I hang central and 12” or so above his shell would that work? Would it be possible to mount it on the side of the bookcase with a reflector or not?

Thanks again

 

[Yvonne G]

Are you going to be using a fluorescent tube type UVB? Let's ask @Markw84 if it can be mounted on the side. I don't know the answer to that.

 

[Markw84]

I like the combo of a T5 fluorescent tube along with a lower wattage (65 watts) incandescent for a basking area. The heat from the incandescent needs to be as close as practical to the UVB. That is what will encourage basking. I then like a longer T5 fluorescent for ambient lighting to get a nice bright enclosure. YOu can then limit the UVB to just 5 hrs midday or so with the incandescent and ambient fluorescent on all 14 hrs daily. That really gives a nice midday bright light and as a side benefit really increases the life of your UVB tube.

34" or 46" T5 fluorescent 6000K or full spectrum grow light for ambient light.
18" or 24" T5 UVB 12.0 for midday UVB
65 watt incandescent flood for basking heat and longer wavelength (redder colors) light.

Put the ambient fluorescent and incandescent on a timer for 14 hrs a day.
Put the UVB on another time for 5 hours midday.

 

[Kelly.324]

Are you going to be using a fluorescent tube type UVB? Let's ask @Markw84 if it can be mounted on the side. I don't know the answer to that.

Yeah I’ve read that the fluorescent tubes are better than the combined heat and UV bulbs. Please correct me if I’m wrong though, as I said, I’m pretty confused over this haha!

 

[Kelly.324]

I like the combo of a T5 fluorescent tube along with a lower wattage (65 watts) incandescent for a basking area. The heat from the incandescent needs to be as close as practical to the UVB. That is what will encourage basking. I then like a longer T5 fluorescent for ambient lighting to get a nice bright enclosure. YOu can then limit the UVB to just 5 hrs midday or so with the incandescent and ambient fluorescent on all 14 hrs daily. That really gives a nice midday bright light and as a side benefit really increases the life of your UVB tube.

34" or 46" T5 fluorescent 6000K or full spectrum grow light for ambient light.
18" or 24" T5 UVB 12.0 for midday UVB
65 watt incandescent flood for basking heat and longer wavelength (redder colors) light.

Put the ambient fluorescent and incandescent on a timer for 14 hrs a day.
Put the UVB on another time for 5 hours midday.

Thank you, that’s really helpful.
My tort will be inside for another few months so should I have the uv on for more than 5hrs? I’ve currently got an Arcadia UV tube that’s on 12hrs

Thanks

 

[Tom]

Arcadia makes good stuff and you can get it in the UK. A 12%HO bulb will serve you well. You really need a UV meter to check the bulb output and set the height correctly, much the way you need a thermometer to set the basking bulb height correctly, but 18-20" is a good start for this Arcadia bulb.

 

[Kelly.324]

Arcadia makes good stuff and you can get it in the UK. A 12%HO bulb will serve you well. You really need a UV meter to check the bulb output and set the height correctly, much the way you need a thermometer to set the basking bulb height correctly, but 18-20" is a good start for this Arcadia bulb.

Thank you, and can it be fixed to the side or should it be hanging directly above the table?

Would something like this light be suitable? With a reflector as well.

https://www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk/zoo-med-reptisun-100-uvb-48in-36w-os-48e8-1218-p.asp

Or an Arcadia equivalent.
I’m also planning on getting a uv meter but they seem quite expensive.

Thanks again

 

[Tom]

Thank you, and can it be fixed to the side or should it be hanging directly above the table?

Would something like this light be suitable? With a reflector as well.

https://www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk/zoo-med-reptisun-100-uvb-48in-36w-os-48e8-1218-p.asp

Or an Arcadia equivalent.
I’m also planning on getting a uv meter but they seem quite expensive.

Thanks again

That bulb is a "regular" T-8 florescent tube. They emit very little UV and must be within about 10 inches of the tortoise and run all day for the tortoise to receive any UV benefit from it. An Arcadia 12%HO bulb is a T-5 size, and it will give you 5-6 times the UV output at twice the distance when used with their reflector. I know this because I have a meter. There is some variability from bulb to bulb and that is why the meter is vitally important. Without it you are just guessing. For people who live here in the Southern portion of the US where can get our tortoises outside most of the year, bulbs and meters are not all that important. For someone in a climate where the tortoise has to be indoors for most of each year, proper UV and lighting becomes much more important.

All UV bulbs should be mounted from directly over head and not to the side or at an angle.

 

[Kelly.324]

That bulb is a "regular" T-8 florescent tube. They emit very little UV and must be within about 10 inches of the tortoise and run all day for the tortoise to receive any UV benefit from it. An Arcadia 12%HO bulb is a T-5 size, and it will give you 5-6 times the UV output at twice the distance when used with their reflector. I know this because I have a meter. There is some variability from bulb to bulb and that is why the meter is vitally important. Without it you are just guessing. For people who live here in the Southern portion of the US where can get our tortoises outside most of the year, bulbs and meters are not all that important. For someone in a climate where the tortoise has to be indoors for most of each year, proper UV and lighting becomes much more important.

All UV bulbs should be mounted from directly over head and not to the side or at an angle.

Thanks Tom, that’s super helpful! It’s so confusing as the light I linked is marketed for tortoises so I’d have thought it would be ideal but obviously not. Thanks for clearing that up. I will be investing in a uv meter, it might just have to wait until next pay day. And I see so many uv tubes mounted on the side so again, it’s just had me confused ha!
With the light you’ve recommended, should that still be on 12-14 hours per day?

 

[Kelly.324]

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/arcadia-d3-12%-uvb-high-output-t5-reptile-lamp-(online-only)

I think this is the one you were talking about? What size would you recommend as it comes in a choice of 3

Thank you so much

 

[Tom]

Thanks Tom, that’s super helpful! It’s so confusing as the light I linked is marketed for tortoises so I’d have thought it would be ideal but obviously not. Thanks for clearing that up. I will be investing in a uv meter, it might just have to wait until next pay day. And I see so many uv tubes mounted on the side so again, it’s just had me confused ha!
With the light you’ve recommended, should that still be on 12-14 hours per day?

I like to run the stronger HO bulb for 3-4 hours mid day to simulate the strong mid day UV spike that happens outside. I think Mark said he prefers 5 hours in a previous post here. Since you are mounting this at the right height and only using it for part of each day, the shorter bulbs should be fine.

 

[Clorenzo85]

Arcadia makes good stuff and you can get it in the UK. A 12%HO bulb will serve you well. You really need a UV meter to check the bulb output and set the height correctly, much the way you need a thermometer to set the basking bulb height correctly, but 18-20" is a good start for this Arcadia bulb.

Would this be too much for my sulcata?


https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-12-uvb-t5-ho.html

 

[Kelly.324]

I like to run the stronger HO bulb for 3-4 hours mid day to simulate the strong mid day UV spike that happens outside. I think Mark said he prefers 5 hours in a previous post here. Since you are mounting this at the right height and only using it for part of each day, the shorter bulbs should be fine.

Thank you, I’ve ordered that light and it should be here next week, then the building work can commence [emoji51]

 

[Tom]

Would this be too much for my sulcata?


https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-12-uvb-t5-ho.html

Not at all.

 

[Clorenzo85]

Not at all.

I ended up ordering the 12 %.

 

[Tom]

I ended up ordering the 12 %.

That is what I use. Without a meter you'll need to mount it about 20" over the tortoise, and I only run it about 3-4 hours mid day, to simulate the outdoor mid day UV spike that happens daily.

Keep in touch and if you want I can stop by with my meter and check the mounting height for you after you get the bulb. I pass though Sylmar several times a week.

 

[Clorenzo85]

That is what I use. Without a meter you'll need to mount it about 20" over the tortoise, and I only run it about 3-4 hours mid day, to simulate the outdoor mid day UV spike that happens daily.

Keep in touch and if you want I can stop by with my meter and check the mounting height for you after you get the bulb. I pass though Sylmar several times a week.

ok yeah, I am down to do that. Do you have an instagram? Our light arrived today. I'm just trying to figure out how to hang it without a ceiling.

 

[Tom]

ok yeah, I am down to do that. Do you have an instagram? Our light arrived today. I'm just trying to figure out how to hang it without a ceiling.

You can make a frame to hang it from using 2x4s or PVC pipe.