I could use some help. I am really getting confused on all of the different types of lights...CHE, basking light, nocturnal infrared heat lamp, coil lights (I have read often that this one is really bad, but do you mean the coil shaped list?), UVA, UVB, not to mention the wattage. What lights are the absolute must for torts? Just when I think I have the right ones, I start to second guess myself and think I am doing it all wrong. I want the best for my guys (greek and a rescued CDT hatchling). Would someone please help me understand these better. I apologize if it is posted elsewhere on the forum, I am still trying to learn how to navigate the forum. Thank you.
Confusion on lights
- Thread starter SpeedyGontortoise
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Hi. This answer will be different for different species, different housing situations and different climates. In general I like a mercury vapor bulb on a 12 hour timer, for most indoor enclosures, for most species, most of the time. I then like a CHE on a thermostat for day AND night. If temps are warm enough during the day the CHE shuts off. If it gets too cold at night, it kicks the CHE on.
If YOUR two species of torts are adults and housed fairly dry then you probably can skip the CHE if they are indoors in a "normal" house. If they get lots of year round outdoor time and sunshine (like mine) then you really don't need a MVB, but it won't hurt anything to use it either.
I would never use or recommend a coil type CFL UV bulb.
Hope this helps. Ask more questions until you get the satisfaction you are looking for.
If YOUR two species of torts are adults and housed fairly dry then you probably can skip the CHE if they are indoors in a "normal" house. If they get lots of year round outdoor time and sunshine (like mine) then you really don't need a MVB, but it won't hurt anything to use it either.
I would never use or recommend a coil type CFL UV bulb.
Hope this helps. Ask more questions until you get the satisfaction you are looking for.
If you have your tortoise primarily indoors:
Basking light or CHE (the watt/size will be based on your enclosure, you can look up the light/CHE recommendation based on the approximate size of your enclosure)
UV A/B again, if you house primarily indoors with little outside time (at least 3 or 4 hours, in my opinion more is better)...hatchlings are more sensitive and it may be a bit much on their eyes to have the mega strong UV B.
There is also a bulb that includes all Heat, UVA/UVB...a bit more of a price tag on what seems to be a single bulb...but if you tally each individual bulbs together it is not that far off to get the all inclusive bulb...
I am sure the others will give you great information ....
Basking light or CHE (the watt/size will be based on your enclosure, you can look up the light/CHE recommendation based on the approximate size of your enclosure)
UV A/B again, if you house primarily indoors with little outside time (at least 3 or 4 hours, in my opinion more is better)...hatchlings are more sensitive and it may be a bit much on their eyes to have the mega strong UV B.
There is also a bulb that includes all Heat, UVA/UVB...a bit more of a price tag on what seems to be a single bulb...but if you tally each individual bulbs together it is not that far off to get the all inclusive bulb...
I am sure the others will give you great information ....
ascott said:If you have your tortoise primarily indoors:
Basking light or CHE (the watt/size will be based on your enclosure, you can look up the light/CHE recommendation based on the approximate size of your enclosure)
UV A/B again, if you house primarily indoors with little outside time (at least 3 or 4 hours, in my opinion more is better)...hatchlings are more sensitive and it may be a bit much on their eyes to have the mega strong UV B.
There is also a bulb that includes all Heat, UVA/UVB...a bit more of a price tag on what seems to be a single bulb...but if you tally each individual bulbs together it is not that far off to get the all inclusive bulb...
I am sure the others will give you great information ....
Where do you get the bulb that includes everything? With winter coming, I live at 6000 feet, outside time will be coming to an end in the coming months, so the all on one would probably be best.
As far as enclosures, my Greek is in an large glass aquarium. My CDT hatchling is in a large plastic sweater box. I have them both on Cyprus mulch. Is this fine as well? So sorry to be asking so many questions.
Please don't apologize for asking questions....if we all did not have questions, well, what would we be doing for each other...well, except for ooooing and awwwwing over tort pics....LOL
The bulb is sold at Petco/Petsmart as well as online from a variety of sources....they run anywhere from 39.99 to 65.00 bucks (i actually checked out a new --to me-- brand that was only 39.99 at Petsmart).
I do not house hatchlings of any type....I do know that alot of folks like the cypress mulch for hatchlings....
The bulb is sold at Petco/Petsmart as well as online from a variety of sources....they run anywhere from 39.99 to 65.00 bucks (i actually checked out a new --to me-- brand that was only 39.99 at Petsmart).
I do not house hatchlings of any type....I do know that alot of folks like the cypress mulch for hatchlings....
I have been to pets art three times in the past four days trying to get this right. Do you by any chance know the specific name of the bulb. I have looked at so many, I am so vey confused. If I get the "all in one" do I need a basking bulb as well.
I think I spoke with you the other night after I rescued my little CDT on the school playground. She seems to be doing really well. She is very active and loves to eat.
Sorry. That should say petsmart. Auto correction is a pain when I don't catch it.
I think I spoke with you the other night after I rescued my little CDT on the school playground. She seems to be doing really well. She is very active and loves to eat.
Sorry. That should say petsmart. Auto correction is a pain when I don't catch it.
Exo Terra Solar Glo Sun Simulating Lamp
Product Description: Item: 4005372
Optimal levels of UVB/UVA visual light and heat in one
Self-ballasted mercury vapour bulb
Provides the benefits of natural sunlight
Helps prevent metabolic bone disease
Increased UVB penetration distance
39.99
I hope this helps
It is awesome to hear the little one is doing good...eating is always a plus+
Product Description: Item: 4005372
Optimal levels of UVB/UVA visual light and heat in one
Self-ballasted mercury vapour bulb
Provides the benefits of natural sunlight
Helps prevent metabolic bone disease
Increased UVB penetration distance
39.99
I hope this helps
It is awesome to hear the little one is doing good...eating is always a plus+
Thank you so much. I am going back again tomorrow and exchange the bulb I purchased for that one. I think it will be the best all the way around. This will work well for my Greek also, right? If so, I will get one for her as well. And here I thought my birds were expensive
Any mercury vapor bulb should work. This is the "all in one" bulb. It gives you heat, light and UV all in one. Any type should work for you. You'll find them online much cheaper than at the pet store. Zoo-Med makes one. Powersun is another. I can't keep them all straight, but they all work.
As far as wattage?... 100 watt?
Yes, aok for the greek too...they both have similar heating/UV requirements.....
Some of the things can be expensive that is for sure.....all of my CDTs are outside all tortoise season 24/7 (except my poor eye sighted old man, he is out from am to pm and then into his "sleeping chambers" each night, fancy for big rubbermaid tote---CDT dirt brown of course) and then they will be brought indoors to their boxes to sleep away winter...so I don't use any lighting or heating source for them (while I have an emergency set up if needed). I will likely switch out my lighting for my RESs to this bulb next time I have a bulb that needs to be replaced.... I do have the two new redfoots and they have been outdoors from am to pm since I brought them home...and in their indoor enclosure they have a red and a purple light for throughout the night....
I use to have a bearded dragon that loved this type of bulb...and did really well with it. (he has since passed, from old age).
Some of the things can be expensive that is for sure.....all of my CDTs are outside all tortoise season 24/7 (except my poor eye sighted old man, he is out from am to pm and then into his "sleeping chambers" each night, fancy for big rubbermaid tote---CDT dirt brown of course
) and then they will be brought indoors to their boxes to sleep away winter...so I don't use any lighting or heating source for them (while I have an emergency set up if needed). I will likely switch out my lighting for my RESs to this bulb next time I have a bulb that needs to be replaced.... I do have the two new redfoots and they have been outdoors from am to pm since I brought them home...and in their indoor enclosure they have a red and a purple light for throughout the night....I use to have a bearded dragon that loved this type of bulb...and did really well with it. (he has since passed, from old age).
I saw the red and purple lights, is this something I should also get? Do I need a separate basking light too?
So Sorry to hear about you bearded dragon.
So Sorry to hear about you bearded dragon.
Here's the thing.....if I recall correctly you live in the Wrightwood area? In the evenings if your enclosure temps drop below 76-78ish, I would go ahead and get a night heat lamp, in my opinion....now, Tom here on the forum gets a little weirded out by the way they make things look (said with nothing but love Tom ), and if you get the red one it does kinda give an odd sensation when looking at the light, however, the purple ones don't do the same thing.... you also can instead of the night light, purchase a CHE that only needs to be sufficient to keep the minimum temps in the evening...
), and if you get the red one it does kinda give an odd sensation when looking at the light, however, the purple ones don't do the same thing.... you also can instead of the night light, purchase a CHE that only needs to be sufficient to keep the minimum temps in the evening...
I generally use a 100 watt MVB and a 60 watt CHE. I adjust the height of the fixtures to get my temps just right. Lots of people prefer the colored bulbs for night. They are cheaper and it is very easy to tell from a distance that they are on and working. I don't like them because I like it dark at night, both for me and the torts, and because they burn out all the time. I prefer CHEs because they last forever, keep it dark, and give you more heat per watt. The manufacturer also claims that the type of heat they generate also penetrates the animals body deeper, but they both heat the darn tort and enclosure just fine.
According to what I've read from our Testudo keepers here on the forum, your greek will probably not need any night heat inside your house. The CDT is debatable, but I always keep babies warm at night.
According to what I've read from our Testudo keepers here on the forum, your greek will probably not need any night heat inside your house. The CDT is debatable, but I always keep babies warm at night.
Thank you for the help. Makes your head spin (at least it does mine), trying to figure it all out. So very thankful for forum and the helpful
Helpfulness of people.
Helpfulness of people.
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