African Tortoise UV's (UVA, UVB, etc.)

[Deleted member 160212]

Hello again. Me, still planning for my Giant Tortoise House Carpentry Project 2025™, I am still searching for the best hardware/supplies, so yet again I turn to the tortoise experts/nerds (whatever you prefer to be referred as). I am still thinking & deciding for any UV equipment for my 8 year old sulcata boy. I would like to know what is best for the biology of this big breed, and the best UV equipment/brand/etc for the job. Are full spectrums legit or BS? I've heard people saying it is. Any recommendations for healthy UV's to try to prevent any pyramiding and maintain optimum health.

Thank you all for helping me be a better tortoise owner.

 

[Tom]

A tortoise that large needs to be living outside. Torotises living outdoors do not need UV bulbs.

UV bulbs have nothing to do with preventing pyramiding, and pyramiding isn't an issue when they are as large as yours. Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. Good UV bulbs don't prevent pyramiding. Lack of UVB doesn't cause pyramiding. That is old wrong info.

 

[ecachuh]

Hello again. Me, still planning for my Giant Tortoise House Carpentry Project 2025™, I am still searching for the best hardware/supplies, so yet again I turn to the tortoise experts/nerds (whatever you prefer to be referred as). I am still thinking & deciding for any UV equipment for my 8 year old sulcata boy. I would like to know what is best for the biology of this big breed, and the best UV equipment/brand/etc for the job. Are full spectrums legit or BS? I've heard people saying it is. Any recommendations for healthy UV's to try to prevent any pyramiding and maintain optimum health.

Thank you all for helping me be a better tortoise owner.
View attachment 383681

That's a big handsome guy, how many pounds is he?

I have the UVB light but my older 6 yr old soaks up the sunshine and actually my 1 year old hasn't needed the bulb either. He gets about an hour a day of real sunshine.

 

[Deleted member 160212]

A tortoise that large needs to be living outside. Tortoises living outdoors do not need UV bulbs.

UV bulbs have nothing to do with preventing pyramiding, and pyramiding isn't an issue when they are as large as yours. Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. Good UV bulbs don't prevent pyramiding. Lack of UVB doesn't cause pyramiding. That is old wrong info.

We live in a climate where temperatures and weather for a certain part of the year are insuitable and even dangerous for a tortoise like him. I am preparing because I need to house him safely for those few months and am preparing to give him all those needs. Thanks for the response on the UV and everything.

I don't exactly live in San Diego anymore.

 

[Deleted member 160212]

That's a big handsome guy, how many pounds is he?

I have the UVB light but my older 6 yr old soaks up the sunshine and actually my 1 year old hasn't needed the bulb either. He gets about an hour a day of real sunshine.

Haven't ever weighed him, but picking him up, I assume he could be around 50lbs maybe even 60lbs. Although it's just my guestimation. Thanks for the complement! I'll be sure to tell him later.

 

[ecachuh]

You could give him a cold box....basically like those raises garden covers/tops. Top is see through and it's enclosed.... So they can stay warm (sun heats it up) and still get natural sunlight.

 

[ecachuh]

Haven't ever weighed him, but picking him up, I assume he could be around 50lbs maybe even 60lbs. Although it's just my guestimation. Thanks for the complement! I'll be sure to tell him later.

LOL I put mine on a table and then I step on the scale and then I pick him up..lol mine is too big for the kitchen scale and two small for a regular scale.
50 or 60! Wow! My big one is 14lbs and the little one is 1 lb.

 

[Deleted member 160212]

You could give him a cold box....basically like those raises garden covers/tops. Top is see through and it's enclosed.... So they can stay warm (sun heats it up) and still get natural sunlight.

Thanks, but I mean like, snow like this for around possibly a week in around Jan or so.

 

[ecachuh]

Thanks, but I mean like, snow like this for around possibly a week in around Jan or so.

View attachment 383684

Holy cow you weren't kidding! I didn't realize it was like that. I'm in Louisiana lol. It snows here about once every 4 years . And by the time it's done it's usually turned to slush.

 

[Deleted member 160212]

Holy cow you weren't kidding! I didn't realize it was like that. I'm in Louisiana lol. It snows here about once every 4 years . And by the time it's done it's usually turned to slush.

Hey bro, I'm from SoCal. I'm used to surfing shirtless.

Although I can't turn down snowboarding.

 

[jaizei]

If you're providing UVB for larger tortoises indoors, a UVB/UVI meter is required. To cover more of the basking area, you typically use multiple fixtures/bulbs. This also allows you to mount the fixtures higher since UVB is additive. I swear Zoo Med used to make a 6-8 lamp fixture for zoos, but that could have been back with T8s. Regardless, a highbay fixture can be used with UVB bulbs; use regular fluorescent or LED tubes in the spaces not used for UVB to add to the brightness.