UVB

navycop2004

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I just got my adult red foot tortoise an 8x4x4 PVC enclosure. What would be the best tube uv lighting For the heating I was going to get a deep heat projector. Any thought or suggestions?
 

Tom

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I just got my adult red foot tortoise an 8x4x4 PVC enclosure. What would be the best tube uv lighting For the heating I was going to get a deep heat projector. Any thought or suggestions?
For this application, I would hang two 150 watt CHEs and set them on a thermostat. Use the Home Depot type ceramic based fixtures with the 10 inch aluminum hoods and hang them about 18 inches from the ceiling.

You will need some LEDs for ambient lighting to be on 12 hours a day. Then use an Arcadia 6% HO tube for about 4-6 hours a day for UV and mid day brightness.

No need for a basking bulb for a RF.
 

navycop2004

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For this application, I would hang two 150 watt CHEs and set them on a thermostat. Use the Home Depot type ceramic based fixtures with the 10 inch aluminum hoods and hang them about 18 inches from the ceiling.

You will need some LEDs for ambient lighting to be on 12 hours a day. Then use an Arcadia 6% HO tube for about 4-6 hours a day for UV and mid day brightness.

No need for a basking bulb for a RF.
She wil only need 4-6 hours of UV? I was also told that che is not a good type for a PVC enclsure but rather use a deep heat projector
 

Tom

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She wil only need 4-6 hours of UV? I was also told that che is not a good type for a PVC enclsure but rather use a deep heat projector
They only "need" about 15 minutes of UV once in a while to produce the necessary D3, which is stored in their bodies for later use. D3 production is the sole purpose for providing UVB to our tortoises. 4-6 hours every day, 7 days a week, is way more than any tortoise needs. There is not 12 hours of high levels of UVB outdoors even on the equator, or in summer in temperate regions.

Whoever told you that CHEs can't be used in PVC enclosures is wrong. I have been using them in my Animal Plastics and Smart Enclosures for years. Anything else they told you is also suspect. CHEs run hot and I would not want one mounted too close to the plastic walls, but yours will be hanging 18 inches down. I still maintain that this is the best option for your particular situation.

This is from our own @Markw84 , quoted from a previous thread explaining why deep heat projectors are not a good option for tortoises:
"I will tell you that the deep heat projector is bad for a tortoise. It is primarily near IR and extremely desiccating on the shell. It will contribute greatly to pyramiding. The website you are referring to says its great for reptiles, and it is - but, for many lizards and snakes. Not for tortoises and particularly growing young tortoises." I can't say it any better than that. I would like to extend a hearty "thank you" to Mark for constantly furthering tortoise keeping knowledge.

I normally prefer and use RHPs, but I don't think these are a good option for a 48 inch tall enclosure. They don't throw heat that far, so I think you would have to hang them pretty far down into the enclosure to have them be effective, and that would greatly detract from the aesthetics of your beautiful new enclosure. I am curious to know if they would work to keep the chamber warm if mounted up on the ceiling. They don't throw heat very far, but all the heat they are producing would be trapped in the chamber, so maybe it could still work? Want to try it and let us know? I don't have a 48 inch tall enclosure, or I would try it myself.
 

ZEROPILOT

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For this application, I would hang two 150 watt CHEs and set them on a thermostat. Use the Home Depot type ceramic based fixtures with the 10 inch aluminum hoods and hang them about 18 inches from the ceiling.

You will need some LEDs for ambient lighting to be on 12 hours a day. Then use an Arcadia 6% HO tube for about 4-6 hours a day for UV and mid day brightness.

No need for a basking bulb for a RF.
Arcadia 6% is probably superior to the Reptisun 5.0 (Zoomed) that I use.
But you can substitute one for the other
 
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