T5 or T8 ReptiSun to mount 11 inches above Sulcata?

Nimus

Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
31
Location (City and/or State)
California
So far I've been putting my Sulcata outside for an hour or two around three times a week so that he would get the UV that he needs but it's getting too cold (and cloudy) to do that. Now I'm looking for a ReptiSun 10.0 UVB bulb to mount in his container to give him the UVB he needs during the cold months. I just switched my hatchling Sulcata to this container and he has about 10-11 inches above him to the lid (I use a 2-4 inch layer of substrate so that he can burrow a little).

Which type of bulb would you guys recommend for that distance (t5 or t8)? I plan on mounting it inside the lid so there won't be any mesh partially blocking the bulb, The reason I ask is because I've read a few things online that say that a t5 bulb could cause harm to a reptile if mounted less than 12 inches from its back.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
I think most instructions that come with lights advise no closer than 12", but let's ask @Markw84
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
11" inches is too close for any of the T5 HO bulbs. Use the T8 10.0 for this application.

Don't worry too much about UV. Mark and I are doing some experimentation with not using any UV at all. If your tortoise was getting hours a week previously, they can go weeks with no UV with no problem. You can also feed some Mazuri, and use a calcium supplement with D3 in it a couple of times a week.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
11" inches is too close for any of the T5 HO bulbs. Use the T8 10.0 for this application.

Don't worry too much about UV. Mark and I are doing some experimentation with not using any UV at all. If your tortoise was getting hours a week previously, they can go weeks with no UV with no problem. You can also feed some Mazuri, and use a calcium supplement with D3 in it a couple of times a week.
If I'm not mistaken, William hasn't ever used UVB lights.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
If I'm not mistaken, William hasn't ever used UVB lights.
And you guys are producing some very smooth leopards with his feeding and care regime, if I'm not mistaken. The pics I've seen have looked fantastic.
 
Top