Tortoise Forum

Karen; Hard to say without a meter. How long is the UV on each day? If 12 hours per day, it may be time to change the bulb to be safe. I use mine for 4-5 hours per day in use for 3 years still giving the same UV reading. I use the Arcadia T5 bulbs. So that is a consideration. My guess would be the bulb is probably still good, but if you want to be safe, replacing every 12 months would be a good choice.

Thankyou Mark, this is what I was thinking, I use the Arcadia bulb also but it’s on 12 hrs a day, I’m looking to get the meter asap but for now I think I’ll just change the bulb. another question though, my t5 unit sits 20" from substrate to bulb, previously you recommended 6% uv bulb, is this still the same?

i'm just concerned as the arcadia 6% say it's forest? and as i mentioned previously, i'm worried about my torts shell growth.
Happy new year !

I use the 12% and they are all set at about 20" above shell height. A 6% would have to be closer. That is assuming you are using the Pro T5 Kit so have the arcadia reflector on the fixture with the bulb.

hmmm, i've been using the 6% for the last year! i've ordered the 12% one now, but how much damage would this have done to my tort in this time? it's 20"from bulb to substrate, so if we allow for the height of the tortoise would that make a differance?