Lighting help please!!!

[tinkerbell1189]

I'm from the uk and would really appreciate some lighting help!!!! At the moment I have a 100w reptiglow (sp?) heat lamp, and a uv tube 60w.

My uv bulb is about to go any day now so I need to buy a replacement, however I'm wondering whether to go buy the same (which I was sold as a package deal in a petshop along with unsuitable bedding and a feeding dish that was far to deep) or whether something else would be better??? I hate the heat bulb, and would like to change his heat source as I have so far in 10months bought between 8 and 10 heat bulb replacements as the stupid things keep blowing!!!!! To be fair I have had the uv bulb 10month and it's only now looking as if it's about to go.

So my question is.... Get a replacement? Or go for an all together different setup? I just want what's best for tinkerbell really and ideally something easier for me. Any recommendations???
(incase this is relevant... Tinkerbell is a 2yr old horsfield)

 

[JoesMum]

I use standard household spotlights from B&Q for basking... Much cheaper and just as effective!

With regard to UVB tubes, they're effective for about 6 months, so yours is definitely ready for replacement. I was told by the vet that the UVB output didn't need to be particularly high; 3% was fine.

If the weather ever improves and you can get him outside for a couple of hours a day, you don't need a tube.

 

[tinkerbell1189]

Oh wow I didnt know that you could use normal spotlights as basking thanks that would be much cheaper. And I didn't know that the uv was only effective for 6months.... :/ I hope I haven't done much damage I do get him outside now and then in nice weather, I have just made him an outdoor enclosure, but for some reason all he does is go in his hide when I put him out there, maybe it's not warm enough :/

Poor tinkerbell hasn't been outside all week though anyway as all it's done is rain grr

 

[JoesMum]

The outdoor enclosure is new to your tort. It will take him time to get used to it... Quite a long time probably! Torts are slow on the uptake

 

[tinkerbell1189]

I'm hoping the weather will improve so that he will have some time to get used to it #sigh#

 

[wellington]

Even in the shade, he is getting uv. You can use light or non light, such as a ceramic heat emitter for a baking spot. As for the bulbs blowing so much, I am going to have to guess that the socket you are using does not hold the amount of wattage as your bulb is. That's the only time I have had problems with a MVB bulb.

 

[JoesMum]

The problem isn't shade in the UK at the moment. We had 1 week of summer a fortnight ago and it's been rainy autumn chill ever since!

 

[tinkerbell1189]

I have just bought a d3 UVB and heat lamp which is an all in one heat and UVB bulb.. Cost quite a bit so I'm hoping it's worth it... 12month guarantee on it though which is reassuring.
Plus I ordered a NEW tortoise table I got my old one as part of the deal with the tortoise and it's not particularly great and I worry he gets bored in there. The new table is awesome I can't wait for it to come it is like a tort villa!!! Has a little balcony and a ramp and all sorts. Will post pics when it arrives!!!!!

Have been very down lately so treating tinkerbell is a way to cheer me up as he always makes me smile!!

 

[JoesMum]

Glad things are looking up for you and Tinkerbell