Sarah_sinc
New Member
She was talking about the thermostat turning the basking light on and off when the enclosure gets too hot. I can see how the wording might be confusing. I had the same thought you did at first.
The solution is to use a lower wattage bulb.
@Sarah_sinc The MVB bulb you are using for basking causes pyramiding. The cfl type UV bulb you are using is ineffective as a UV source, and those sometimes burn their eyes. You'll need to change the bulb situation around, and change your substrate to stop the pyramiding. The vivarium part is good. Its very difficult to maintain the correct conditions in the typical tortoise table. You should also switch to a better water bowl, and thermometer.
There are four elements to heating and lighting:
1. Basking lamp. I recommend a low wattage flood bulb set on a timer and over to one side. Adjust the wattage or bulb height to get the correct temperature of 95-100 directly under it. This should be on a timer for about 12 hours a day.
2. Ambient light. I like LEDs for this. You can use strips or screw in type LED bulbs. Choose LEDs in the 5000-6500K color range. The 2500K ones look too yellowish. This can run on the same timer as the basking bulb.
3. Ambient heat, if needed. CHE or RHP on a thermostat should cover this. Use more than one, if needed.
4. UV. If you can get your baby outside in a safe outdoor enclosure a couple of times a week for most of the year, you don't need indoor UV. If you want it anyway, get one of the HO types. I'd do this on about half of the enclosure. In your 6 footer, I'd get the 22" HO tube and mount it over to one side. I'd run it for 3-4 hours mid day. When used in this way, I like to get a UV index reading from a Solarmeter 6.5 of around 5-7. This simulates the mid day UV spike that happens every day outside.
Many thanks for your detailed reply I really appreciate any help! I spoke to the vet we use and he advised a tortoise table and was very anti Viv! so now I am even more confused! ?
I have ordered new substrate which is the one kronksmom advised to get.
He does get out into his outside enclosure when it's sunny but living in sunny old Wales UK doesn't happen all that often! But we do go out whenever we can. He also likes to wonder around the house when we are home too.
What sort of water bowl would be ok? He seems to like that one but I am willing to get anything to help following advice!
I ordered a tortoise table now but if it's the wrong thing to have done I could return. Just want what's best for him