Best type of lighting for my enclosure?

Hi all,

I am looking to better heat my redfoots enclosure through the night. Right now she has her 100W bulb on during the day and it automatically switches off at night. Under her tank is a heating pad that stays warm 24/7. Right now she is in a 40 gallon tank which I know is not ideal but that is not something I can change right now so I'm looking for help making this home the best it can be. Should I switch the lit 100W bulb out for a ceramic heat emitter? And then keep that on 24/7 as well? Thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

What type of timer do you have? My zilla one has day and night plugs.. when my day bulb goes out my che automatically switches on and i have it on a thermostat set for 80. Hope this helps

And yeah.. your gonna get ripped about having him in that 40 gallon haha

The heating pad is a no no especially since most are marked not be sat on. Please include photos TFO is a place to learn and educate not shame. We just want what’s best for torts

Yes.. i was joking

Blackdog1714 said:

The heating pad is a no no especially since most are marked not be sat on. Please include photos TFO is a place to learn and educate not shame. We just want what’s best for torts

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I might be calling it the wrong thing but its a ZooMed heating pad that is stuck to the bottom of the tank not a human heating pad that you would set on your lap. Does that make any sense? I'm not sure if I'm describing it well!

Yes. Under tank heat pad. Im not sure if their a problem but i know they need to be on a thermostat

Not sure how they are for torts but their good for snakes lol

I would go with the CHE full time, ditch the heat lamp and use a tube uvb light.

That works also

Toddrickfl1 said:

I would go with the CHE full time, ditch the heat lamp and use a tube uvb light.

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I was wondering about that too, you read my mind! I read somewhere that redfoots don't need UVB tube lights so I took hers off. They do need them? I can't keep up!

tortilla4 said:

I was wondering about that too, you read my mind! I read somewhere that redfoots don't need UVB tube lights so I took hers off. They do need them? I can't keep up!

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It's debatable actually. They definitely need less UVB then other torts. What I do and recommend is if you can get your tortoise outside in natural sun, even for just a couple hours a week, then you don't need artificial UVB. I take my younger tort outside one day a week for about 4 hours and in her indoor enclosure I just have a 40 watt regular incandescent light bulb for day time, and a CHE set at 86f 24/7

Toddrickfl1 said:

It's debatable actually. They definitely need less UVB then other torts. What I do and recommend is if you can get your tortoise outside in natural sun, even for just a couple hours a week, then you don't need artificial UVB. I take my younger tort outside one day a week for about 4 hours and in her indoor enclosure I just have a 40 watt regular incandescent light bulb for day time, and a CHE set at 86f 24/7

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So would you say I should keep the regular light on during the day and have the CHE switch on at night? Or only CHE 24/7 and no other light?

tortilla4 said:

So would you say I should keep the regular light on during the day and have the CHE switch on at night? Or only CHE 24/7 and no other light?

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Ya light during the day. My light is on 7am to 7pm, CHE 24/7.

Toddrickfl1 said:

Ya light during the day. My light is on 7am to 7pm, CHE 24/7.

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Perfect! I can do that. Thank you so much for the advice.

Toddrickfl1 said:

Ya light during the day. My light is on 7am to 7pm, CHE 24/7.

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What is your recommendation for a device to monitor the temperature? And humidity?

100w!? 40 gallon tank!? During summer you should not turn any of these on. You need a 50w or less CHE and heat mat during winter. Any the most importantly, add a humidifier for your tank and turn it on 24/7/365.

tortilla4 said:

What is your recommendation for a device to monitor the temperature? And humidity?

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This is what I use for temperature and humidity.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/AcuRite...Temperature-Comfort-Monitor-00619HD/202260980
The thermostat also has a temperature gauge too. I use this one here
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I15S6OM/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

That temp humidity sensor i had prob with when placed in the enclosure and it gets to wet.. i use the one with the outdoor wireless sensor

Chubbs the tegu said:

That temp humidity sensor i had prob with when placed in the enclosure and it gets to wet.. i use the one with the outdoor wireless sensor

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