Recommendations for UVB?

[zeehonkydonkyy]

Hello! I recently got three 2 month old baby sulcatas. What would you recommend I use for their UVB lighting? Any specific bulbs? I do not want to use coil bulbs as those can be damaging.

I have an older sulcata but I used the Powersun Mercury Vapor Bulb for him. It seemed to work fine but I feel it's more effective and safer for my new babies to have a separate UVB bulb.

Is there a specific brand or bulb I should use? What about wattage? I have a 40 by 40 by 12 inch enclosure for them.

Or should I stick to using mercury vapor bulbs?

Thank you for you time!

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Read all of these first:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Where in CA are you? Different advice for Long Beach vs. Lebec…

The best UV source is the sun. If you can get your babies outside for an hour a couple times a week for most of the year, then you don't need artificial indoor UV. Its okay to skip a few weeks in a row in winter, if our weather isn't favorable.

If real sunshine is not an option for some reason, then Arcadia 12%HO tubes are what I use. They need to be mounted about 18-20" above the tortoises and they only need to run about 3-4 hours mid day. They will last for years if used this way. Buy them here: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com

 

[zeehonkydonkyy]

Hello and welcome.

Read all of these first:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Where in CA are you? Different advice for Long Beach vs. Lebec…

The best UV source is the sun. If you can get your babies outside for an hour a couple times a week for most of the year, then you don't need artificial indoor UV. Its okay to skip a few weeks in a row in winter, if our weather isn't favorable.

If real sunshine is not an option for some reason, then Arcadia 12%HO tubes are what I use. They need to be mounted about 18-20" above the tortoises and they only need to run about 3-4 hours mid day. They will last for years if used this way. Buy them here: http://www.lightyourreptiles.com

Thank you very much Tom! I am located in the Orange County area, towards Newport Beach.

I definitely get them real sunshine about 3-5 times a week.

However, I was just a little worried for the winter. Thanks for the information, it is much appreciated!