Basking lamp

[Clemy]

George is a Horsefeild tort, I have a 100w basking lamp on a dimming thermostat, the basking lamp heats the area up then dim’s down so it’s not shining bright, is this right?
If not do I need an additional lamp permanently shining bright?
Thanks

 

[Lyn W]

What are you using for uvb?
Most of us use the T5 HO uvb kits (I like Arcadia) with a separate flood basking bulb (spots can be too intense).
I only use a thermostat with my CHE which I use for night heat and extra heat when needed. This turns it on and off to keep the temp even. I've not used a dimming thermostat so I don't know if they are suitable for basking bulbs.
This is Toms very useful guide which may help you -
There are four elements to heating and lighting:

1. Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
2. Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. In most cases you'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night. Some people in colder climates or with larger enclosures will need multiple CHEs or RHPs to spread out enough heat.
3. Ambient light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in LED bulb types are both fine.
4. UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. In colder climates, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. I like the 12% HO bulbs from Arcadia. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html A good UV bulb only needs to run for 2-3 hours mid day. You need the basking bulb and the ambient lighting to be on at least 12 hours a day.

 

[Clemy]

We have an overhead Arcadia 12% uvb strip light for UVB

 

[Tom]

We have an overhead Arcadia 12% uvb strip light for UVB

Read the breakdown that Lyn linked.

The dimming thermostat is a no go. You don't want the "sun" turning on and off all day, or dimming. Set your basking lamp on a timer. Adjust the temperature under it by adjusting the fixture up or down, or by using a different wattage.

The Arcadia only needs to run for 2-3 hours mid day, so yes, you need additional LED lighting for the rest of each day in addition to the basking lamp.

 

[Clemy]

Thanks Tom, so I need to put a permanent non dimming basking lamp in the vivarium and some led lights for just lighting up the vivarium?
Do I get rid of the thermostat controller or keep it so the ambient temperature is ok ?
Thanks

 

[Tom]

Thanks Tom, so I need to put a permanent non dimming basking lamp in the vivarium and some led lights for just lighting up the vivarium?
Do I get rid of the thermostat controller or keep it so the ambient temperature is ok ?
Thanks

The breakdown in the post from Lyn explains each of the four steps.
Yes on the regular incandescent flood bulb. Arcadia makes them if you have trouble finding one.
Yes on LED for ambient light.
Keep the thermostat to operate a CHE (ceramic heating element) or RHP (radiant heat panel) if you need one for more ambient heat.

 

[Clemy]

Thank you so much Tom, I’ve now sorted my lighting , got led strip for lighting up viv, strip UVB and 60w basking lamp, now to get ir temperature gun.
Thanks again to everyone advice 👍