My Gopherus isn’t eating and is sleeping all day

Tom

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Ok I already bought a new plastic hide (it's for a hamster but it should work). As for the UVB HO T5 I have some doubts, should it be 10.0 UVB or 5.0 UVB? The description says 10.0 is for desert reptiles so I'm guessing that's the right one, but it's also more rare to find...

I'm also looking for a carpenter to follow Yvonne's advices, thank you!!
5.0 bulbs produce very little UV. Those are usually only for forrest tortoises that prefer dimmer lighting. The 10.0 is the way to go. Only a UV meter can tell you the correct mounting height, but it will probably be around 18 inches.
 

CharSparda

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The mvb bulbs aren't recommended anymore because they have been found to dry and damage tort shells, and spot basking bulbs can also be too intense so look for a flood type. Many of us use the T5 HO UVB tube kits with separate basking flood bulbs and/or a che run through a thermostat which will stop it over heating and cooking your tort. USA members may be able to give you other basking bulb options available to you at hardware stores. UVB kits tube are available online if your stores don't have them.
Check the caresheet linked above for humidity, that will be your best guide and Yvonne G is one of the most experienced and respected members here so take note of her advice too.
He will eventually use your plastic hide if you leave it - they don't like change so need time to adjust to new things.
So, the intensity of the T5 HO depends on how far away from the surface the bulb is. Really what is needed, is a UV meter, problem is they are NOT cheap and in the neighborhood of $250us. Additionally, they are a supplement when sunshine is not available, as in Winter time when it is hard to get tort's outside.
With that being said get what you can get and follow any instructions on the package. I believe the 10.0 recommends a 20" distance.
I'll Tag a member that know more than I.
@Tom

Si I bought these
F2CAA056-001B-417A-845C-EEF25A562DDE.jpeg

You have any opinions on these two? Are they ok?
 

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CharSparda

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5.0 bulbs produce very little UV. Those are usually only for forrest tortoises that prefer dimmer lighting. The 10.0 is the way to go. Only a UV meter can tell you the correct mounting height, but it will probably be around 18 inches.

I tried to buy a UVB meter and oh man they cost more than my house
 

Tom

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Si I bought these
View attachment 338729

You have any opinions on these two? Are they ok?
That is the older style T8 bulb. They don't produce much UV at all. If you use that, it will need to be mounted about 10 inches from the tortoise. You should also get your tortoise out side in a safe and secure pen for sunshine whenever weather permits.

If you can find it, you want the 10.0 T5 HO type bulb and fixture.
 

CharSparda

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That is the older style T8 bulb. They don't produce much UV at all. If you use that, it will need to be mounted about 10 inches from the tortoise. You should also get your tortoise out side in a safe and secure pen for sunshine whenever weather permits.

If you can find it, you want the 10.0 T5 HO type bulb and fixture.

I had trouble finding the T5 tube, I even got two T8 bulbs. Fortunately for my guy his enclosure is only 13 inches tall, so mounting it around 10-11 inches should be enough by now?

I always take him for a walk whenever it’s sunny
 

MenagerieGrl

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I had trouble finding the T5 tube, I even got two T8 bulbs. Fortunately for my guy his enclosure is only 13 inches tall, so mounting it around 10-11 inches should be enough by now?

I always take him for a walk whenever it’s sunny
Good job. . . Keep us in the loop with the progress....
 

Tom

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I had trouble finding the T5 tube, I even got two T8 bulbs. Fortunately for my guy his enclosure is only 13 inches tall, so mounting it around 10-11 inches should be enough by now?

I always take him for a walk whenever it’s sunny
With out a meter I am just guessing, but I have used those bulbs before and they should be safe at about 10 inches from your tortoise. Even at that distance the UVI number was only around 2.
 

jaizei

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I had trouble finding the T5 tube, I even got two T8 bulbs. Fortunately for my guy his enclosure is only 13 inches tall, so mounting it around 10-11 inches should be enough by now?

I always take him for a walk whenever it’s sunny

Something to keep in mind if you use 2 T8 UVB tubes, UVB is additive. The charts/pictures on the package showing UVI at certain distances don't apply when you use 2 UVB bulbs.
 

CharSparda

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Something to keep in mind if you use 2 T8 UVB tubes, UVB is additive. The charts/pictures on the package showing UVI at certain distances don't apply when you use 2 UVB bulbs.

So it should be safer to use 2 tubes?
I bought the two, however I only installed one by now
 

jaizei

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So it should be safer to use 2 tubes?
I bought the two, however I only installed one by now

Not safer, I meant it more as cautionary. I wouldn't use multiple bulbs/sources of UVB at the same time without a meter.

You can use the instructions that come with the bulbs as a general guide when you use 1 bulb.
 

CharSparda

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Not safer, I meant it more as cautionary. I wouldn't use multiple bulbs/sources of UVB at the same time without a meter.

You can use the instructions that come with the bulbs as a general guide when you use 1 bulb.
Alright I misunderstood.
No, I am only using one bulb, I don’t want my boy to insolate

Thank you!
 

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