Are both uvb and basking lamps needed?

As you can see in the title my question is do you actually have to have both the uvb bulb and a basking bulb as I will be getting two tortoises that will also be housing together would it be best if they had both bulbs or just one? Thanks in advance

my experience is to use a separate UV fixture and basking heat.
the Zoomed T5 HO work real well
And any good output basking bulb that you can measure temp. Is ok.

You could combine it with an MVB, but to be honest they don't come anywhere near the T5s.

Where in the world are you?

Many of us in the sunny states (like SoCal) don't use UV bulbs because our tortoises have the benefit of year long sunshine! So, in my case I only use a basking lamp.

If your tortoises can't have regular access outside then it is probably best to provide both UV and basking bulbs.

Hope this helps.

Ok thanks I live in England so believe me, we barely get any sunlight.

A MVB will give you heat, light and UV all in one. The combination of a tube, like the ZooMed one that DHV mentioned, and a regular incandescent flood bulb, will probably best meet your needs.

By the way, in most cases it is not a good idea to house tortoise in pairs. Singles do fine. Trios or groups are usually okay, but pairs can be very problematic.

What species is your tortoise?

I really like the lamps at Reptileuv.Com

Okay, so I have been reading through a lot of threads and people seem to be talking about CHE's but what temp should it be? And while im at it am I right in thinking that the temp for through the day should be 100 w? AND fir how long should the days be?

RE: Help!!!!

Most of us have at one time or another said that the temp directly under the LIGHT (the basking area) should be at least 100F. Then the temp fades to about 80F maybe a bit more, on one end and down to room temperature or not less than 70, 75F at the other end. It reall all depends upon the age/size of the critter in the habitat.

You use the CHE to keep the habitat warm at night, once the light is off. At night you don't need a basking spot, so an overall temp for the habitat would be in the 70'sF, depending upon type and size of tortoise being kept.

You raise or lower the CHE to make it hotter or cooler directly under it. And if the house is cold you may have to cover the habitat at night to keep the warm air inside.

I let my lights run for 14 hours, to simulate a summer-length day.

What's a Che?

Ceramic heat emitter.

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Sorry, I thought I had a picture of one I could post for you. Maybe someone else?

I think I can help you out with that Ken.

I know that this is probably the stupidest question ever, but I have been looking at a lot if threads and it says that loads of people disagree with the coil bulbs. Now when they say coil bulbs do they mean the uvb bulb or the basking. I have been looking online and was wondering if this bulb would be okay for my tortoises as their uvb bulb?
Thank you!

I wouldn't use it. This is one of those coil bulbs people are talking about. The light is too condensed and too strong for their little eyes. Keep looking

Okay, I did see a few that were not coiled, but not many and they were really expensive.

Wouldn't use any type of coil bulbs. Unfortunately, they cause eye problems and we see it a lot on here. Also, unfortunately, the best bulbs are expensive. If you search online, ebay and amazon, sometimes you can find decent deals on the MVB's ( mercury vapor bulbs)

The coil bulbs do not produce heat and so are not suitable for basking. They are intended to produce light and give UV to the tortoise, but as was stated, they sometimes burn reptile eyes, so many of us recommend they not be used.

I would use the long tube type florescent and a regular flood bulb for basking or I'd use a MVB for all in one, heat, light and UV.

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If you put a ceramic heating element on a thermostat, it will maintain your ambient day and night, in addition to the other bulbs.

let me just say, there is no stupid question! this is an honest question and you should never feel stupid for it


i don't use those bulbs because of what everyone previously posted. i use a indoor floodlight for my basking and a reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube light for uvb. the mvb are expensive and i hear they don't last long and are broken easily, so I've never bothered.