How long to cycle T5 aradia ?

[JDDV97]

I’ve tread different numbers I’ve seen basking should be in 12 hour cycle and T5 should be on once a day for 4 hours, what time is best time ?

 

[JDDV97]

T5 Arcadia 12%. 24 inch

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

4 hours a day for UVB and 12-14 hours for the basking lamp is a good schedule. Adjust UVB lamp timing to include some morning basking time. Usually it's from 10-11AM till 2-3PM.

 

[JDDV97]

4 hours a day for UVB and 12-14 hours for the basking lamp is a good schedule. Adjust UVB lamp timing to include some morning basking time. Usually it's from 10-11AM till 2-3PM.

Thank you

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

With the uv timing, every other source of information will tell you 12hours of uv. This is essentially an old fashioned rule that has stuck with a lot of keepers, it stems from the presumption that once the basking light or ambient lighting is on, ie the ‘sun’, that uv must coexist the same amount of hours. Fact is, uv rays only peak for a few hours a day, anyone with a uv meter will confirm this. No tortoise is blasted with 12 hours of uv in the wild, therefore it’s not necessary in captivity.
The uv bulbs are much more expensive to replace once their uv strength diminishes, so it’s definitely best having it on a 4 hour timer that provides them with all the uv they need, saving your bulb life.
Then some cheaper led lighting for your ambient 12 hour light cycle as well as the basking light on the same 12hrs, your ceramics will run 24/7 on a thermostat, hope that all makes sense and clears any confusion

 

[JDDV97]

With the uv timing, every other source of information will tell you 12hours of uv. This is essentially an old fashioned rule that has stuck with a lot of keepers, it stems from the presumption that once the basking light or ambient lighting is on, ie the ‘sun’, that uv must coexist the same amount of hours. Fact is, uv rays only peak for a few hours a day, anyone with a uv meter will confirm this. No tortoise is blasted with 12 hours of uv in the wild, therefore it’s not necessary in captivity.
The uv bulbs are much more expensive to replace once their uv strength diminishes, so it’s definitely best having it on a 4 hour timer that provides them with all the uv they need, saving your bulb life.
Then some cheaper led lighting for your ambient 12 hour light cycle as well as the basking light on the same 12hrs, your ceramics will run 24/7 on a thermostat, hope that all makes sense and clears any confusion

Is the basking light bright enough for ambient lighting as well? I have it in one of the corners.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Is the basking light bright enough for ambient lighting as well? I have it in one of the corners.

Generally speaking no because it’s not in the middle lighting the entire enclosure, it might work with the current size you have if the enclosure is in a very bright room during the day, but to be honest I’d recommend hanging an led in the middle to make sure it’s all lit enough in there if things are too dim, it can interfere with activity levels

 

[Tom]

I’ve tread different numbers I’ve seen basking should be in 12 hour cycle and T5 should be on once a day for 4 hours, what time is best time ?

There is a wide range of what will work here. I prefer 2 hours mid day in summer when they ae getting lots of sunshine outdoors, and I will bump it up to 4 hours in winter when its cold and rainy and they aren't getting outside as often. 1 hour is enough. 8 hours won't hurt anything if its set correctly. 12 hours just isn't necessary and doesn't make sense.

Is the basking light bright enough for ambient lighting as well? I have it in one of the corners.

No. That is why you need LED for 12 hours a day.

Here is a breakdown of the four heating and lighting essentials:

1. Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
2. Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. In most cases you'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night. Some people in colder climates or with larger enclosures will need multiple CHEs or RHPs to spread out enough heat.
3. Ambient light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in LED bulb types are both fine.
4. UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. In colder climates, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. I like the 12% HO bulbs from Arcadia. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html A good UV bulb only needs to run for 2-3 hours mid day. You need the basking bulb and the ambient lighting to be on at least 12 hours a day.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

12 hours just isn't necessary and doesn't make sense.

And definitely isn't cost effective!

 

[JDDV97]

There is a wide range of what will work here. I prefer 2 hours mid day in summer when they ae getting lots of sunshine outdoors, and I will bump it up to 4 hours in winter when its cold and rainy and they aren't getting outside as often. 1 hour is enough. 8 hours won't hurt anything if its set correctly. 12 hours just isn't necessary and doesn't make sense.


No. That is why you need LED for 12 hours a day.

Here is a breakdown of the four heating and lighting essentials:

1. Basking bulb. I use 65 watt incandescent floods from the hardware store. Some people will need bigger, or smaller wattage bulbs. Let your thermometer be your guide. I run them on a timer for about 12 hours and adjust the height to get the correct basking temp under them. I also like to use a flat rock of some sort directly under the bulb. You need to check the temp with a thermometer directly under the bulb and get it to around 95-100F (36-37C).
2. Ambient heat maintenance. I use ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels set on thermostats to maintain ambient above 80 degrees day and night for tropical species. In most cases you'd only need day heat for a temperate species like Testudo or DT, as long as your house stays above 60F (15-16C) at night. Some people in colder climates or with larger enclosures will need multiple CHEs or RHPs to spread out enough heat.
3. Ambient light. I use LEDs for this purpose. Something in the 5000-6500K color range will look the best. Most bulbs at the store are in the 2500K range and they look yellowish. Strip or screw-in LED bulb types are both fine.
4. UV. If you can get your tortoise outside for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, you won't need indoor UV. In colder climates, get one of the newer HO type fluorescent tubes. Which type will depend on mounting height. 5.0 bulbs make almost no UV. I like the 12% HO bulbs from Arcadia. You need a meter to check this: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html A good UV bulb only needs to run for 2-3 hours mid day. You need the basking bulb and the ambient lighting to be on at least 12 hours a day.

Do you know any good ambient lighting off Amazon?
@Littleredfootbigredheart

 

[JDDV97]

With the uv timing, every other source of information will tell you 12hours of uv. This is essentially an old fashioned rule that has stuck with a lot of keepers, it stems from the presumption that once the basking light or ambient lighting is on, ie the ‘sun’, that uv must coexist the same amount of hours. Fact is, uv rays only peak for a few hours a day, anyone with a uv meter will confirm this. No tortoise is blasted with 12 hours of uv in the wild, therefore it’s not necessary in captivity.
The uv bulbs are much more expensive to replace once their uv strength diminishes, so it’s definitely best having it on a 4 hour timer that provides them with all the uv they need, saving your bulb life.
Then some cheaper led lighting for your ambient 12 hour light cycle as well as the basking light on the same 12hrs, your ceramics will run 24/7 on a thermostat, hope that all makes sense and clears any confusion

Do you have a go to LED bulb off Amazon and I just screw it into a flickers clamp lamp correct?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Do you know any good ambient lighting off Amazon?
@Littleredfootbigredheart

We personally use strip lighting, but any old screw in led bulb within the 5500-6500k colour range will do the trick

Do you have a go to LED bulb off Amazon and I just screw it into a flickers clamp lamp correct?

Yep any dome will do for an led, just make sure it’s hung securely and not just using the clamp

 

[Tom]

Do you know any good ambient lighting off Amazon?
@Littleredfootbigredheart

Any type of LEDs will do. Strips, under cabinet mounts, or regular screw in type bulbs in a socket. Just get something that is in the 5000-6500K color range.

 

[JDDV97]

Any type of LEDs will do. Strips, under cabinet mounts, or regular screw in type bulbs in a socket. Just get something that is in the 5000-6500K color range.

What wattage should I get ? @Littleredfootbigredheart what will be easier to set up in the green house ?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

What wattage should I get ? @Littleredfootbigredheart what will be easier to set up in the green house ?

LED watts vary but if you type in ‘5000-6500k led bulb’ you’ll find what you’re looking for, you can even find them down at the hardware store or home sections

 

[Tom]

What wattage should I get ? @Littleredfootbigredheart what will be easier to set up in the green house ?

Wattage doesn't matter for LED bulbs. Just get as much light in the enclosure as you can. Use several if they will fit.