Which size uvb bulb

Which one of these bulbs are needed for uvb for Baby Sulcata Tortoise and how close does the bulb need to be? I made the mistake of getting the cfl kind so I would like to get it changed but don’t know which uvb size I need. Thanks


Arcadia 12% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Arcadia 14% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Arcadia 6% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

charl19 said:

Which one of these bulbs are needed for uvb for Baby Sulcata Tortoise and how close does the bulb need to be? I made the mistake of getting the cfl kind so I would like to get it changed but don’t know which uvb size I need. Thanks


Arcadia 12% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Arcadia 14% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Arcadia 6% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Click to expand...

They all work depending on distance. the only way to know the right height to mount it is by using a solarmeter 6.5
every bulb even from the same manufacturer puts out different levels of uvb.
I use the t5 12%
I get a 4.2 at 18 inches away but ur tube could be different...

Any of those will work. All of those will need different mounting heights. We can give you a guesstimate, based on our own experience with those bulbs, but I agree with Mario. Different bulbs perform differently. The only way to know what you are getting is to measure it.

The 12% bulbs are usually good from 18-22 inches. I've never used the 14% or 6%.

That 6.5 SOLARMETER seems expensive. Until the 2nd. 3rd and 4th time that you use it to readjust your lamps every few years without needing to buy new tubes.
Anyone planning on being a tortoise parent should consider buying one. Its an investment. Not just a frivolous purchase.

xMario said:

They all work depending on distance. the only way to know the right height to mount it is by using a solarmeter 6.5
every bulb even from the same manufacturer puts out different levels of uvb.
I use the t5 12%
I get a 4.2 at 18 inches away but ur tube could be different...
View attachment 272039

Click to expand...

Its nice to not guess. Isn't it?

charl19 said:

Which one of these bulbs are needed for uvb for Baby Sulcata Tortoise and how close does the bulb need to be? I made the mistake of getting the cfl kind so I would like to get it changed but don’t know which uvb size I need. Thanks


Arcadia 12% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Arcadia 14% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Arcadia 6% UVB T5 HO Bulb - 22"

Click to expand...

Some good info here
Thread 'UVB and Heat Info Guide'
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/uvb-and-heat-info-guide.212079/