8*4 enclosure lighting

[Faygora]

Hi, I have a question regarding the SANSI pucks. Are they each 10w or both together? And do you have them on 100% for 12 hours or 8 hours? Or are they somehow programmed like the arcadia UVB and led bars?
We are getting a little aldabra in about a month and I really like to reproduce your lighting setup. It seems really good.
Thank you

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Hi, I have a question regarding the SANSI pucks. Are they each 10w or both together? And do you have them on 100% for 12 hours or 8 hours? Or are they somehow programmed like the arcadia UVB and led bars?
We are getting a little aldabra in about a month and I really like to reproduce your lighting setup. It seems really good.
Thank you

They are 10w apiece. Are you using these for plant grow lights? They do not produce sufficient UVB for your dabs if that's your goal.

 

[Faygora]

No, they are just the additional lightsource for the basking area complementing the arcadia t5 uvb and the solar basking floodlight. Just like the setup explained in this thread. That's why I'm asking if they are on 100% for 12 or 8 hours timed or if they are or can be somehow programmed according to the arcadia lumenize uvb and led bars. Or 100% on together with the solar basking floodlight from 6am to noon?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi, I have a question regarding the SANSI pucks. Are they each 10w or both together? And do you have them on 100% for 12 hours or 8 hours? Or are they somehow programmed like the arcadia UVB and led bars?
We are getting a little aldabra in about a month and I really like to reproduce your lighting setup. It seems really good.
Thank you

It's 10W for both in my case (however, I have 220V version and it can be different).

Pucks are great for 30-40 gallon tanks when you need "dramatic" lightning). Also, they cannot not daisy chained - each pair takes a socket.

While you can set timer and brightness on the pucks, they are not programmable (no brightness ramps etc.). I just use mine with a smart socket and make light transition by enabling lights sequentionally (heat lamp - LED Zone 1 - LED Zone 2 - UVB lamp).

SANSI also has 20W version of pucks now (4 pieces using same controller), T8 LED bars and hanging greenhouse spotlights (10 lights per socket). I think, @jaizei uses just regular shop lights (e.g. Barrina), so fancy grow lights might not be necessary

 

[Faygora]

Thank you. Yes I only have those 10w for both here, too. Austria, so also 220V.

I'm only looking for a little more brightness for the basking area complementing the 36" arcadia lumenize 12% uvb t5 bar and the 100w solar basking floodlight. For the rest of the enclosure I have 2 48"lumenize jungle dawn led bars. Enclosure 250cm x 125cm height around 62cm.

 

[GardiendeKoopa]

UPDATE: We've settled on a general layout for this enclosure. Reptile Basics will supply the majority of new hardware, including lights and Solarmeter.

Spyder robotics will supply the thermostats; Dion was kind enough to sell me a (discontinued) Herpstat EZ1 and EZ2. They're not state-of-the-art, but I appreciate the simplicity and reliability of EZ series. I'll most likely pair the basking lamp 'Stat with Kasa smart plug power strip (to mimic day/night cycle), and leave RHP on 24/7 (to provide correct ambient temperature).

Wilbanks Reptiles will supply the radiant heat panel. A 200w panel costs less than $250, shipping inclusive, and was immediately available. I originally planned to buy from Pro Heat, but their 200w panel costs $300+ and has a 2-week lead time. I'm sure that Pro Heat makes a quality RHP, but we're behind schedule already.

Why are your basking lamp holders attached to wood spacers instead of the PVC top directly? So you can get them closer to the tortoises? Or are they too hot to be closer to the top?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you. Yes I only have those 10w for both here, too. Austria, so also 220V.

I'm only looking for a little more brightness for the basking area complementing the 36" arcadia lumenize 12% uvb t5 bar and the 100w solar basking floodlight. For the rest of the enclosure I have 2 48"lumenize jungle dawn led bars. Enclosure 250cm x 125cm height around 62cm.

For this purpose I would use 15W or 24W LED E27 bulb from SANSI (for example, in a double-dome with basking bulb). These are bright enough compared to JungleDawn.

 

[Faygora]

That's how our 250x125cm enclosure is coming along.

 

[Faygora]

Ready for the baby to move in on Wednesday

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Ready for the baby to move in on Wednesday
View attachment 400758

Nice work!
A few suggestions:
1. Get a shallow terracotta saucer for water, so tortoise can get in and out easily and self-soak.

2. Straight top-down (or with only a slight tilt) is the preferred lights position. Maybe, you make an elevated beam for ambient and basking lights.

3. Maybe you can also move the UVB bar closer to the basking area as both heat and UVB are required for skin to synthesize D3

 

[Faygora]

Thank you.
1.That other water dispenser is just that the tortoise has always fresh water in which she can't get in to poop.

2. I know, but it gets too hot in the basking area when the basking light is hanging straight down. I will see if I can ajust.

3. Here I don't really know what you mean. The UVB Bar is exactly over the basking area. The hottest area is where the stone plates are.

 

[Faygora]

Or do you mean something else?

And I will try to adjust the basking bulb later. Right now I have an appointment.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

2. I know, but it gets too hot in the basking area when the basking light is hanging straight down. I will see if I can ajust.

If possible, it always best to adjust by lifting the basking bulb. Also, a smaller wattage may be an option.

 

[Faygora]

Is it better like this?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

The angle looks good, just make sure that the lamps are not hanging on their cords. This might cause problems over time.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you.
1.That other water dispenser is just that the tortoise has always fresh water in which she can't get in to poop.

2. I know, but it gets too hot in the basking area when the basking light is hanging straight down. I will see if I can ajust.

3. Here I don't really know what you mean. The UVB Bar is exactly over the basking area. The hottest area is where the stone plates are.

1. Ok, got it!

2. Now the basking lamp looks better.

3. As of UVB - I missed the shorter bar behind ambient/heat lamps. The placement is perfect. At first I thought that fixture hanging along the long side is the UVB.

 

[Faygora]

3. As of UVB - I missed the shorter bar behind ambient/heat lamps. The placement is perfect. At first I thought that fixture hanging along the long side is the UVB.

No, problem. I'm always glad about help and suggestions and really want the tortoise to have a good start here with us.

I tried to emulate the OPs setup as much as possible as it seems to have worked very well.

 

[Faygora]

By the way, here she is
She already ate and pooped not long after arriving and had a warm soak.
She's happily sleeping buried in the soil in her cave.