bulbs

[tony2sheds]

Hi has anybody out there ever tried the bulbs sold everywhere openly here in the UK,the type for growing exotic plants ,if you no what I mean,as I have seen some that are full spectrum and are only a fraction of the cost of the ones from a pet shop .

 

[sibi]

Hi has anybody out there ever tried the bulbs sold everywhere openly here in the UK,the type for growing exotic plants ,if you no what I mean,as I have seen some that are full spectrum and are only a fraction of the cost of the ones from a pet shop .

The important thing is the output of UVB. If you're going for a fluorescent tube bulb, which is a "cold" light, that is, it doesn't provide heat, then a Reptisun 10.0 bulb can provide the UVB that's needed for all reptiles. A full spectrum bulb, if I recall correctly, will provide a full spectrum of light, but not UVB. You'll need one that provides UVB. Having said that, if it's a mercury vapor bulb you want, it provides both heat and UVB. It's pricey, but worth it bc you'll only need one bulb. Note, ALL UVB bulbs last only 6-8 months, depending on how often you use it. The light may/may not still work after 8 months, but the UV part diminishes after 6-8 months.

 

[Tom]

Plant bulbs are made for the optimal lighting spectrum for plants. This is generally not the optimal lighting spectrum for tortoises. DIfferent colors are emphasized and plants don't need UVB.

But you can use those growing lights to grow lots of food for your tortoise.

 

[Tom]

Note, ALL UVB bulbs last only 6-8 months, depending on how often you use it. The light may/may not still work after 8 months, but the UV part diminishes after 6-8 months.

My UV light meters tell me otherwise. While it is good advice to replace them every 6-8 months, or at least every fall when the torts come in for the winter in some areas, it is not necessary for anyone who has a light meter. No harm will come from a fresh bulb every six months, but a lot of money and perfectly good bulbs will be wasted that way. My 10.0 tubes are still making almost the same UVB after almost two years of daily use. My HO tubes have dropped their UVB output a bit after 18 moths, but I just lower them inch by inch to get the UV levels I seek.

Here is the meter I recommend to everyone who relies on indoor UVB for months of every year:
https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html

 

[tony2sheds]

Cheers it was just a thought ,if I started growing plants as well ,i may end up living with the tortoise when the missus sees the electric bill haha

 

[sibi]

My UV light meters tell me otherwise. While it is good advice to replace them every 6-8 months, or at least every fall when the torts come in for the winter in some areas, it is not necessary for anyone who has a light meter. No harm will come from a fresh bulb every six months, but a lot of money and perfectly good bulbs will be wasted that way. My 10.0 tubes are still making almost the same UVB after almost two years of daily use. My HO tubes have dropped their UVB output a bit after 18 moths, but I just lower them inch by inch to get the UV levels I seek.

Here is the meter I recommend to everyone who relies on indoor UVB for months of every year:
https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html

I make this statement bc I can actually see a difference in the color of the lighting after 6-8 months. I fair on the side of caution; but, I probably need to get a meter, though. I appreciate the website you provided.