New tortoise owner here

Blackdog1714

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This is the light I was told to get for her
That is definitely a Mercury Vapor Bulb which is very desiccating for the shell. Please do not use it. If you take your tort outside for 1/2 hour 2 to 3 days a week you will not need indoor UVB. If you can't and need to get UVB then a T5 with a reflective fixture. Arcadia makes a very dependable and long life bulbs. This kit is sold on reptilebasics.com and for the UK I found this
ShadeDweller ProT5 UVB Kit - 12"
Home > Cage Lighting > T5 Light Fixtures
ShadeDweller ProT5 UVB Kit - 12

Arcadia

Price: $39.99


Arcadia Pro T5 UVB Kit, Forest, 6% UVB, 24 Watt

£64.99 £52.99
  • Full UVB Fluorescent Lighting Kit
  • Includes T5 6% D3 24 Watts UVB Forest UVB Tube
  • Built in Internal Reflector (removable)
  • High quality internal electronics
  • For species requiring moderate UV
  • Link cable and fitting kit included
  • 24 Watts Energy Efficient Rated A
In stock

Hope that helps
 

Helazbee

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Thank you I have replaced her substrate with soaked coco coir and bedded terracotta dishes in it, I will order the light and hopefully I'll be good till I can get time to make a larger table
 

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Helazbee

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Would i need to provide any more light or heat for the enclosure after getting the proT5 kit?
 

Blackdog1714

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Would i need to provide any more light or heat for the enclosure after getting the proT5 kit?
Just a single che in the fixture that you had the mvb light in. Then get a thermometer that you can plug the light into- Inkbird makes one i use
 

Lisa84

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You will need to provide a basking lamp, a simple incandescent flood lamp works fine. Dont use anything that says spotlight.

I have been trying one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01ITLXEYU/?tag=

You probs already know but just incase, this bulb is loads cheaper on swell

 

Blackdog1714

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Would that be as well as the prot5. Or instead of. I have got a che
I would not use it as it may be a mercury vapor bulb. The CHE is best for heat and use a plain light bulb for daytime light/extra heat during the day and cycle the T5 if you don't get outside sun time
 

Melissacoop

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My husband is a carpenter too and we made this fairly easy. Make sure the sides are high enough so you can mount the lights inside the top of the lid. Funny, he uses the word visquine all the time.
must be a trades an thing! Lol.
 

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Helazbee

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Ill stick with the table, but I do like how you've built that viv look great.

And thanks for your help guys I just wanna make sure I've got it right
 

Helazbee

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Hi guys quick update. Swapped lamps Now too so do you think this would be adequate?
 

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Helazbee

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Hi guys I'm giving up on the che and strip light, I can't reach the required temperatures in her table. At least with the mvb I could get the temps to 35 in the basking end. I've spent spent absolute fortune on fittings bulbs heat emitter thermostats and can't get any of it to reach correct temps apart from the mvb
 

Maggie3fan

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Hi guys I'm giving up on the che and strip light, I can't reach the required temperatures in her table. At least with the mvb I could get the temps to 35 in the basking end. I've spent spent absolute fortune on fittings bulbs heat emitter thermostats and can't get any of it to reach correct temps apart from the mvb
It's because your box is too open. You need to build some sort of a cover to hold in the humidity and heat. Here's a care sheet...
 

Krista S

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Hi guys I'm giving up on the che and strip light, I can't reach the required temperatures in her table. At least with the mvb I could get the temps to 35 in the basking end. I've spent spent absolute fortune on fittings bulbs heat emitter thermostats and can't get any of it to reach correct temps apart from the mvb
Have you tried to lower the CHE or get a higher wattage?
 

Jennie Dlenxh

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For variety of substrate I use orchid bark, you can buy xl bags on eBay with fairly cheap or free delivery, I always make sure it is ‘pet friendly’ though!
 

Helazbee

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I didn't want to lower it too much incase it burns her shell. I got 50w and 100w heat emitters. I'm just really worried for her shell and I want to give her the best possible home I can. But I thought at least having the right temps is most important
 

Jan A

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I didn't want to lower it too much incase it burns her shell. I got 50w and 100w heat emitters. I'm just really worried for her shell and I want to give her the best possible home I can. But I thought at least having the right temps is most important
You'll get this right because you care about your tort. I haven't even tried to pre-set up for my future tort, & I'm already frustrated. You can do this!!
 

Maggie3fan

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Fome what I've read over the years here, I don't think cucumber has a lot of nutritonal value but is great for hydration and has a laxative effect so it's probably not something that should be a staple. I also read somewhere a while ago that the skin and seeds should not be fed so I only use the flesh. Chunks of it could be a choking hazard so I use fine slithers or grate it to a mush when I do use it. Check the tortoise table link I gave you for other ideas.
I take a whole cucumber and score the peel with a fork, then I cut the whole cucumber in 4 slices lengthwise and feed it. There is no laxative effect, it's simply hydration, trying to add water to the dry feces
 
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