Best UVB light available

[mads3732]

Hello!

Can someone give me the best uvb light that wont hurt my turtles eyes?
I've been worried that hes been staring at the light since I bought my new uvb.

 

[Markw84]

Any good UVB light can hurt your tortoise's eyes if it can get too close to the light source. The best UVB light depends upon your enclosure and how it is set up.

All things considered, I think the Arcadia T5 HO 12% fixtures and bulbs are the best. But they also put out strong UVB so much be mounted correctly. The last longer putting out good UVB, than any others I have seen or heard of as well.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

@Markw84 is absolutely correct.
What type of tortoise and how far away from the tortoise will the light be?
T8 florescent work ok close up. Less than 10" and without going through a screen.
T5 work best for farther away or for going through a screen top.
There are also 5.0 (or 6%) tubes and 10.0 or (12%tubes) for different situations and species.
This is a typical T5 "ho" 5.0 fixture.
It's what I use for my Redfoot tortoises.
Whatever you do buy...Do not purchase any of the screw in, light bulb type contact, coiled UVB bulbs.

The photo is of a REPTISUN brand T5
ARCADIA is probably a better product and I think its generally slightly more expensive. But both are fine choices.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Avoid these like the plague!
MVB are inconsistent and too drying.
CFL have been known to cause eye issues and blindness.

 

[mads3732]

@Markw84 is absolutely correct.
What type of tortoise and how far away from the tortoise will the light be?
T8 florescent work ok close up. Less than 10" and without going through a screen.
T5 work best for farther away or for going through a screen top.
There are also 5.0 (or 6%) tubes and 10.0 or (12%tubes) for different situations and species.
This is a typical T5 "ho" 5.0 fixture.
It's what I use for my Redfoot tortoises.
Whatever you do buy...Do not purchase any of the screw in, light bulb type contact, coiled UVB bulbs.

The photo is of a REPTISUN brand T5
ARCADIA is probably a better product and I think its generally slightly more expensive. But both are fine choices.

My tourtise is a russian tourtise. His uvb is 8 inches from his tank.

 

[mads3732]

Avoid these like the plague!
MVB are inconsistent and too drying.
CFL have been known to cause eye issues and blindness.

Oh no. This is the one I have. I'm taking it out right now.

 

[Tom]

Hello!

Can someone give me the best uvb light that wont hurt my turtles eyes?
I've been worried that hes been staring at the light since I bought my new uvb.

The best UV source is the sun in a large outdoor enclosure. Where is Harrington? If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour once or twice a week, or more than that, you don't need indoor UV.

What size is your tortoise and what size is your tank?

 

[mads3732]

The best UV source is the sun in a large outdoor enclosure. Where is Harrington? If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour once or twice a week, or more than that, you don't need indoor UV.

What size is your tortoise and what size is your tank?

Harrington is in Delaware. hes about 8 inches and the tank is 6 × 3 feet. Not really a tank, more like a wooden box.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

At 8" an older type T8 strip florescent 10.0 UVB would work for a Russian.
Or, as Tom added. Real sunlight a few hours a week.
Real sunlight is always the best.