Animal Plastics LIghting Suggestions

orgetorix

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Hello, while I wait for my AP cage, I was hoping to get some advice regarding lighting. The enclosure will be 84"Lx30"Dx24"H. I hope to have the UV mounted approx. 18" above substrate. What kind of output do I need? Also, for incandescent fixtures, how many and at what placement? I was thinking one approx. 12" in from one side, but is that enough?
 

Yvonne G

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In my Vision cage, the heat from the ballast on the fluorescent UVB fixture is all I need for daytime heat. then when the light turns off, the radiant heat panel kicks in.
 

orgetorix

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Thank you. What brand of RHP do you recommend and how is it mounted? Also for the fluorescents, do you have a length and output recommendation? I currently use a 24" HO T5 w/ Arcadia 12% and 6.5k Day-light passing through a screen, but this would be mounted to the ceiling.
 

Kaliman1962

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i'm getting my AP cage this weekend, i bought T10 bulbs for uvb, i use 2 basking bulbs during day, & 2 CHE's at night.
this is the plan
 

Tom

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What species and size will this be for? That will determine my lighting and UV advice.

I see you live in a great tortoise climate. I don't use any UV in my enclosures because they get out for sun several times a week all year.
 

Kaliman1962

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Hi Tom,
I know a great climate for tortoises, i bought the T70 8x3x2
I put all the accessories you told me to do, 6in damn, two florescents, i got 4 balists,
there will be 3 leopards going in, all coming up on a year
should i use different bulbs?
Thank you
 

Tom

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Hi Tom,
I know a great climate for tortoises, i bought the T70 8x3x2
I put all the accessories you told me to do, 6in damn, two florescents, i got 4 balists,
there will be 3 leopards going in, all coming up on a year
should i use different bulbs?
Thank you
Run it and see what your temps and conditions are. How do you have 4 ballasts with only two florescent bulbs? Did you get an incandescent fixture or two?
 

Kaliman1962

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i know i got two florescents, & 2 i guess incandescents on each side so i can screw in 2 CHE & 2 basking bulbs,
do the florescents give off heat?
 

orgetorix

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What species and size will this be for? That will determine my lighting and UV advice.

I see you live in a great tortoise climate. I don't use any UV in my enclosures because they get out for sun several times a week all year.

The current occupant is a yearling CDT. I do try to get it outside as much as possible, but still, I'm sure not enough.
 

Tom

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The current occupant is a yearling CDT. I do try to get it outside as much as possible, but still, I'm sure not enough.
My heating and lighting set up consists of simple low wattage basking bulb set on a timer for 12-13 hours, and a LED under cabinet fixture on the same timer for light. This has been working very well for me. I don't need heat because the whole room is heated, and I don't need indoor UV because I take them all out for sunshine 2-4 times a week. Our climate allows us this luxury. As long as your house stays above 65ish at night, you probably don't need any additional heat either. The basking bulb will warm things up during the day and allow for a nice night drop when the timer kicks it off.
 

Yvonne G

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Thank you. What brand of RHP do you recommend and how is it mounted? Also for the fluorescents, do you have a length and output recommendation? I currently use a 24" HO T5 w/ Arcadia 12% and 6.5k Day-light passing through a screen, but this would be mounted to the ceiling.
I think the RHP is just a cheapy one that was on sale. I have it sitting on two bricks that are up on edge, forming a cave in a back corner.
 

Kaliman1962

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i'll play with the bulbs saturday, i can't wait for my guys to have all this room
 

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