Correct UV Light?

[Machin]

Hi there, I am currently using a coil UV light for my 14 month old Leopard and after reading it could damage his eyes I want to go and get a strip one today. Could someone tell me the correct wattage, strength I need please as I dare not ask the pet shop as I will probably come away with the wrong thing!

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I should perhaps add to this that I live in the UK and it is not warm enough for him to go outside and get real sunshine yet as we don't get much

 

[wellington]

I use a MVB, mercury vapor bulb, 100 watt. It gives off heat and the most UVB of any bulb. Expensive, but does last longer, 9 months to a year of UVB, where the others have to be switched out at 6 months. That said, the long tube type, some uses the 5.0 others the 10.0 reptisun. Hope this helps.

 

[JoesMum]

I use a 5.0 reptisun tube. My vet told me I didn't need higher than that for Joe... but he's not a Leopard and he's mature, so others may say different

 

[Machin]

Thanks,I've been and brought a 24" Repti Glo 5.0 UVB which is the same as before but a straight one instead of a coil one! and I'm still trying to get the terror to eat proper healthy food! I'm about to change him all round again and put in a a Humid hide for him and some planted grasses hopefully this will work!

 

[JoesMum]

Give him chance... he'll settle in soon enough. especially once you've got things arranged and and got the temperatures sorted.

 

[Tom]

Regular leopards don't care much for grass, but it won't hurt to try. You might have better results with a Russian Tortoise seed mix full of broadleaf weeds.

The wattage on the tube bulbs does not matter, just pick the longest length that will fit in your enclosure. It is my opinion that florescent UV bulbs of any kind are not sufficient as a sole source of UV for a tortoise that is to be indoors most of the year. I do not believe they provide enough UV to do the job. Mercury vapor bulbs do in my experience. They give you heat light and UV all in one, simplifying things greatly. Nothing is as good as real sunshine, but the MVB is the next best thing.

 

[Machin]

Regular leopards don't care much for grass, but it won't hurt to try. You might have better results with a Russian Tortoise seed mix full of broadleaf weeds.

The wattage on the tube bulbs does not matter, just pick the longest length that will fit in your enclosure. It is my opinion that florescent UV bulbs of any kind are not sufficient as a sole source of UV for a tortoise that is to be indoors most of the year. I do not believe they provide enough UV to do the job. Mercury vapor bulbs do in my experience. They give you heat light and UV all in one, simplifying things greatly. Nothing is as good as real sunshine, but the MVB is the next best thing.

Thanks very much, I had ordered lots of different seeds to grow my own which have arrived this morning so will be getting some planted over the weekend. And will definitely look into an MVB bulb, as soon as the weather picks up here I will get him out in the sunshine

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Give him chance... he'll settle in soon enough. especially once you've got things arranged and and got the temperatures sorted.

I've also got some of the Komodo food today that you suggested so am going to moisten some of that and give a meatball a whirl!

 

[Neal]

Arcadia bulbs are a popular product in your area. They have received a lot of good reviews. I just did a thread on it and listed the product information, if your interested though you'll have to search around for a supplier.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Arcadia-Bulbs#axzz1siwt0qGB

 

[Machin]

Thanks very much, will have a look

 

[Jacob]

Get a Mvb They are Much Better, zoo Med power sun
or a exo terra mvb