UVB for <1yr Hermann

[Plop123]

I have concerns about my current set up for my little tort. Currently I'm using a 60W normal bulb for heat and a 26W 5% coiled UVB bulb which I now understand to cause eye damage and I'd hate for that to happen! Both bulbs are mounted on the side of the tortoise table with lamp clamps.

I realise that my set up is now all wrong (advised to me by the breeder where I bought my tortoise) so I want to make changes that are best for my tort.

I've seen lots of mention of the Arcadia MVB that provides heat and UVB but I'm wondering which bulb/combination of bulbs is best. Normal bulb and UVB strip light, or mvb? My problem is that I don't really have a way to hang the bulb hence using the lamp clamps

 

[Alexio]

To be honest I'm not sure if there is a difference in overall quality of uvb from the heat/uvb combos and the strip lights with bulbs.
It will mostly depend on your setup as well how much space you have and if it is enclosed. Having separate bulbs allows you to change your heat bulbs in different temperatures. But you also have to buy two bulbs.
My rule is that species who need a night heat get the heat/uvb combos. Like leopards, sulcatas, and redfoot. But I give my Russians and my marginated a strip Uvb light and a heat lamp. It would start to become too many fixtures to put in if you had a strip Uvb a heat lamp for day and a heat lamp for night. Especially if your enclosure is small to begin with. Some people also find that it's hard to get the correct temps in an enclosed chamber with an MVB because of the mounting height vs the temperature output at that height.
Price will also become a factor in both initial and replacement costs. The strip Uvb bulbs usually go for 25-35 dollars. But a pack of 3, 65 w flood bulbs is only 10$. Where as one quality MVB bulb is usually 45-55$ retail. And replacement times can vary on both.

 

[Plop123]

To be honest I'm not sure if there is a difference in overall quality of uvb from the heat/uvb combos and the strip lights with bulbs.
It will mostly depend on your setup as well how much space you have and if it is enclosed. Having separate bulbs allows you to change your heat bulbs in different temperatures. But you also have to buy two bulbs.
My rule is that species who need a night heat get the heat/uvb combos. Like leopards, sulcatas, and redfoot. But I give my Russians and my marginated a strip Uvb light and a heat lamp. It would start to become too many fixtures to put in if you had a strip Uvb a heat lamp for day and a heat lamp for night. Especially if your enclosure is small to begin with. Some people also find that it's hard to get the correct temps in an enclosed chamber with an MVB because of the mounting height vs the temperature output at that height.
Price will also become a factor in both initial and replacement costs. The strip Uvb bulbs usually go for 25-35 dollars. But a pack of 3, 65 w flood bulbs is only 10$. Where as one quality MVB bulb is usually 45-55$ retail. And replacement times can vary on both.

Thank you, that is useful information. I think I'd prefer the flexibility of having a heat and uvb source separately if that's going to what's best for my little Hermann, Cece. With the strip bulb, will I need something to deflect the uvb down onto the table? Also, will it be okay mounted along the long edge of the table?

 

[leigti]

Do you have a picture of the enclosure? That might help with suggestions of where to put the lights etc.

 

[Patty P]

To be honest I'm not sure if there is a difference in overall quality of uvb from the heat/uvb combos and the strip lights with bulbs.
It will mostly depend on your setup as well how much space you have and if it is enclosed. Having separate bulbs allows you to change your heat bulbs in different temperatures. But you also have to buy two bulbs.
My rule is that species who need a night heat get the heat/uvb combos. Like leopards, sulcatas, and redfoot. But I give my Russians and my marginated a strip Uvb light and a heat lamp. It would start to become too many fixtures to put in if you had a strip Uvb a heat lamp for day and a heat lamp for night. Especially if your enclosure is small to begin with. Some people also find that it's hard to get the correct temps in an enclosed chamber with an MVB because of the mounting height vs the temperature output at that height.
Price will also become a factor in both initial and replacement costs. The strip Uvb bulbs usually go for 25-35 dollars. But a pack of 3, 65 w flood bulbs is only 10$. Where as one quality MVB bulb is usually 45-55$ retail. And replacement times can vary on both.

Hi Alexio,
I am in the process of setting up my first tortoise enclosure for a baby Hermann's coming in 3 weeks. In a test run, my MVB set up was a disaster. The heat was too high unless I positioned the lamp about 3 ft over the enclosure which did not allow enough UVB. So I am now purchasing a heat lamp with 75 watt bulb and a UVB tube light. Do you have a picture of your enclosure? I am still trying to figure out how to position the UVB tube over the rubbermaid type enclosure.