reptisun 5.0 good or bad for torts

I just acquired some reptisun 5.0 t12 bulbs and a couple fixtures and I am wondering if these are ok for my torts. Any thoughts or recommendations would be great . Thanks

I believe those are coiled? If so I wouldn't use them for any reptiles.

These are fluorescent tubes not the coil type of cfl.

Those should be good then.

Are you sure they're T-12s? Where did you get them from?

They came from a friend they are the big tube style of fluorescent bulb not the newer t8 or t5 bulbs. He had them stored for around 5 years I think they should still be good as they only had a week of use when he stored them. Also what other bulb would you recommend in conjunction with the fluorescent.

Do you have a solar meter 6.2 or 6.5? Then he would know how much UV they are putting out. I don't know your set up but you will probably need a heat bulb also.

I'll have to borrow a solar meter to check them . I will probably replace them in a few weeks when I get tax money I also want to get longer fixtures that fit the tank better. As for heat I'm using a 100 watt incandescent bulb right now that keeps the temp around 92 at the basking area but I only use that on cold days any warm days they are outside in their big enclosures

Those should not hurt the tortoise, but realize that they produce almost no usable UVB. The tortoise will need to be no more then 10" from the bulb to get even that little bit. If you live in an area with frozen winters and your tortoise must remain inside for months at a time, there are better options for providing UV out there.

We have warm winters for the most part average temps don't get below 50 degrees here .gotta love sunny so cal. What are your recommendations for good uvb producing bulbs.

If they are able to get outside several hours a week you're around, maybe you do not need a UVB source.

Year round, darn Siri

A couple of hours is no problem. during warm weather. They get between 8 to 12 hours daily