I have a RT male set up inside (I live in the Northeast USA). He is in a 40 gal. aquarium. I have a 100 w non-lighted ceramic heat at one end and a Repti Glo 5.0 uvb at the other end. This is how the privately owned pet store set me up. My question is, can I get rid of both and only use the PowerSun 100 w? I have the dome which faces directly down into his basking area. I currently shut both lights off at night from 10p to 7a. Thank you.
heating/lighting question for RT
- Thread starter sgads
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You'd be better off replacing the ceramic heater with a standard incandescent (non soft white) bulb and using that in combination with the Reptil Glo 5.0. An MVB lamp (Powersun and others) provides only localized heat, light and UV directly under the lamp itself, not througout the entire enclosure as the incandescent/flourescent does.
Russian tortoises don't require night time heat unless they're consistently exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees. So you're good there.
You may want to consider finding a large home for him. Even for a smaller male Russian tortoise the dimensions of a 40 gallon aquarium is too small. A good minimum would be a 2' x4' enclosure or similar size (larger is better).
Russian tortoises don't require night time heat unless they're consistently exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees. So you're good there.
You may want to consider finding a large home for him. Even for a smaller male Russian tortoise the dimensions of a 40 gallon aquarium is too small. A good minimum would be a 2' x4' enclosure or similar size (larger is better).
What made me question this in the first place is so many posts stating that the white, coil type uvb lights are damaging to the torts eyes. What watt of incandescent bulb would work in place of the ceramic heater? I agree with needing a larger home for him. I questioned the pet store owner about the size and it being an aquarium, he still recommended this. I am looking into getting him a larger set up. Also, does he need uva too?
Most reptile tube fluorescent bulbs (like the Reptisun) have both uva and uvb, so that's fine.
Just a regular light bulb that you would use in your house (aka, incandescent light bulb). They make a great basking light and give out heat. What temps do you get underneath your current 100w CHE? you could start with the same wattage. 100w might be too hot for an aquarium, but in your new enclosure...
For a new enclosure, look on CL or Goodwill for a bookcase. Turn it on its back, remove most of the shelves and line it with a heavy duty shower curtain, or pond liner is even tougher. You can turn one end shelf into a hide.
Just a regular light bulb that you would use in your house (aka, incandescent light bulb). They make a great basking light and give out heat. What temps do you get underneath your current 100w CHE? you could start with the same wattage. 100w might be too hot for an aquarium, but in your new enclosure...
For a new enclosure, look on CL or Goodwill for a bookcase. Turn it on its back, remove most of the shelves and line it with a heavy duty shower curtain, or pond liner is even tougher. You can turn one end shelf into a hide.
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