Best lighting for a baby red foot

[Inthevalley]

Hello! I'm receiving my baby redfoot on Tuesday and am so excited! I'm new to being a tortoise owner so am trying to do research and set up her home properly before she arrives. My brother sent me a "Exo Terra Repti Glo 10.0 UVB" bulb...is that a sufficient bulb to get the job done? My sister mentioned she read that that type can cause eye infections? Also do I need a separate heat lamp aside from the UVB?

Thanks for your help!

 

[mainey34]

Is it a coil type bulb? If so, take it back. A uva/uvb bulb should be sufficient.

 

[Beck]

Sounds like a tube UVB (the coil shaped ones cause the possible eye problems). If so, that's fine and needed for your tort. They do little for heat though. I would suggest a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) for heat. They're easiest on a thermostat, but you can also find the correct height to place it over the enclosure and monitor the temperatures.

Try to get it as soon as possible, so you can tweak anything before your RF arrives. Every system needs at least a little tweaking before its just right.

So exciting for you! What's the rest of the enclosure like?

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[Inthevalley]

Thanks!
It is a coil bulb, my brother sent it to me. But I will be ordering a different one just to be safe.

My brother is also going to build me a tortoise box but it'll be a while before I get that, so for now it's just in a rubber maid under bed storage tub...which will do for now since she's still so little

 

[kristin_roman]

I use a zoo med power sun bulb, it's UVA UVB and heat all in one! It's a bit pricey but has a one year warrantee on it!

 

[King Jack4th]

I just use a CHE and UVB/UVA tube lighting across the tank.

 

[Rramagge]

Kristin what reflector would you use because a reptile store has said to use the medium exo terra glow light but I read some reviews on it and they whereby v good?

 

[kristin_roman]

For mine I use a zoomed combo dome, and have it hanging. So I can put the day bulb in one and night in the other.
Mine isn't a reflector though.

 

[theelectraco]

I would use a CHE and a tube UVB ( reptisun by zoo med is what i used). They don't like a lot of light so the UVB will give them dim lighting and the CHE for day/night heat.


0.1.0 Dachshund
0.0.1 Redfoot
1.0.0 Greek

 

[Beck]

Re: RE: Best lighting for a baby red foot

I would use a CHE and a tube UVB ( reptisun by zoo med is what i used). They don't like a lot of light so the UVB will give them dim lighting and the CHE for day/night heat.


0.1.0 Dachshund
0.0.1 Redfoot
1.0.0 Greek

I second this.

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[pfara]

I would use a CHE and a tube UVB ( reptisun by zoo med is what i used). They don't like a lot of light so the UVB will give them dim lighting and the CHE for day/night heat.


0.1.0 Dachshund
0.0.1 Redfoot
1.0.0 Greek

I second this.

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I third this. But if you want alternatives, some people don't use uvb light if the tort can get regular outside time (in a secure outside enclosure) under the sun.

 

[Rramagge]

My tort does go out on occasions when it's sunny like the last few days but otherwise unfortunately she is inside

 

[Beck]

Re: RE: Best lighting for a baby red foot

My tort does go out on occasions when it's sunny like the last few days but otherwise unfortunately she is inside

Hi Rebecca. This thread is for a red foot, who has different heat/basking needs then your species. The comment on UVB is the same though.

Just wanted you to be aware

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[Rramagge]

Oh oops I didn't realise I'm still kind of new to all this.
Thanx for letting me know