Help - uv time

[Chroniclesof3adventurers]

Hello, I have an urgent query, is it ok for 4 days to leave the UV lamp on 12 hours? My boy is going to the hospice for a short stay and I’m having a friend come take care of little tortoise. I have the timer plug, 2 in fact and can not get them to work at all.

Thanks

 

[COmtnLady]

So sorry to hear this. Keep us posted, K?

It would be ok for 4 days to not even have it on. If you do leave it on, make sure he can get into hides and shade.

 

[Chroniclesof3adventurers]

Thank you, he’s had a bad few days so needs to go in.

He has two hides and loads of space for digging. Maybe I should do one day on all day and one day off or something. My friend is going to come 2 times a day for him

 

[COmtnLady]

The tort will do fine without any for four days.

If your friend could plug it in for a few hours that would be ok, too - so long as it doesn't get left on forever. You probably shouldn't have it on for 12 hours anytime, though... out in the wild they only get a three or four hours of quality exposure, the rest is weak; and they go hide a lot, too, so don't get it all day like we tend to think.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

As COmtnLady said, they can do a few days completely without UVB since vitamin D gets stored in their body.

 

[wellington]

It's totally fine to have it off for four days or on for 12 hours each of the four days
It's only been recently, last few years, that we have been running them for four hours, otherwise it had always been 12.

 

[wellington]

The tort will do fine without any for four days.

If your friend could plug it in for a few hours that would be ok, too - so long as it doesn't get left on forever. You probably shouldn't have it on for 12 hours anytime, though... out in the wild they only get a three or four hours of quality exposure, the rest is weak; and they go hide a lot, too, so don't get it all day like we tend to think.

We used to have them on for 12 hours for years and I don't know of any harm that has been done. It's only been the last few years that the four hours have been recommended.
When the MVB was all the rage, they were on 12 hours.
It's not needed any more though. The four hours mid day, around noon, has been found is all that's needed. Plus it saves a lot of life on the bulb.

 

[Tom]

Hello, I have an urgent query, is it ok for 4 days to leave the UV lamp on 12 hours? My boy is going to the hospice for a short stay and I’m having a friend come take care of little tortoise. I have the timer plug, 2 in fact and can not get them to work at all.

Thanks

I agree that no UV at all for four days, or 12 hours of UV for four days, will be perfectly fine. Either way will do no harm and your tortoise will be fine. Focus on helping your son. The tortoise will be fine.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Aw I’m sorry to hear your boy is having a rough time at the moment! Thoughts are with you

 

[Chroniclesof3adventurers]

Thank you!

I have managed to get two people now lol one will feed and turn on lights am and off pm, the other will bathe and turn afternoon uv on and off.