hi. I have a Russian tortoise and I can't get the temp were he needs it to be. its 81 F in his basking area and high 60s in some spots and mid 70s and his cooler spots. He has a basking bulb 2 ambient bulbs and a uvb strip light in his 8x4 foot enclosure but i cant get the temps higher. any thoughts?
how to keep the temp up
- Thread starter Bro bott
- Start date
ATHiker17
Member
What type of bulb are you using for basking and how high is it hung?
its a
100W UVB UVA Reptile Basking Heat Light Bulbs UV Sun Lamp
and its 15" away from his substrate
ATHiker17
Member
Since you already have UVB supplied by the strip light, the basking light should not provide additional UVB. An incandescent flood basking light is typically recommended and given the large area you're trying to heat, 100 watts would probably be the minimum required.
so what watt should i use? 125w?
ATHiker17
Member
I would think 125w or 150w. Hang it at whatever height gives you a basking temp of 90-95. What's the ambient temperature in the room you keep the tortoise in?
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Hey! Usually 100w is plenty, but perhaps a watt up. Can I ask if your enclosure is open top or closed? It could be with the colder weather you’d benefit from a cover to help retain your ambient heat, you might even need to run a ceramic or two on a thermostat, they come in handy when the temperature drops, maybe once your ambient is sorted, the 100w will reach desired temperature again
I have a Closed top.Hey! Usually 100w is plenty, but perhaps a watt up. Can I ask if your enclosure is open top or closed? It could be with the colder weather you’d benefit from a cover to help retain your ambient heat, you might even need to run a ceramic or two on a thermostat, they come in handy when the temperature drops, maybe once your ambient is sorted, the 100w will reach desired temperature again
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
The link isn’t coming up for me, but I’m guessing they look something like this?
I can’t speak for the brand, but looks ok to me
Yes I believe so https://www.amazon.com/LUCKY-HERP-Ceramic-Reptiles-Amphibian/dp/B096TTB7B3/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20The link isn’t coming up for me, but I’m guessing they look something like this?
View attachment 396765
I can’t speak for the brand, but looks ok to me
Is 75w strong enough?The link isn’t coming up for me, but I’m guessing they look something like this?
View attachment 396765
I can’t speak for the brand, but looks ok to me
Here they are
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Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the photos, this is actually an open topped enclosure, some sort diy cover will definitely help retain your heat, perhaps you’ll find some ideas in here
Visual inspiration
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I’d probably go for the 100watts in ceramics, and I’d make yourself some stands for your basking and ceramic bulbs, those clamps have been know to fall into enclosures, so hang securely with chains when you can
You need something like this to keep the heat in: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H2LTV73?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
I had the same issue, you can't keep it warm if its open top.
I had the same issue, you can't keep it warm if its open top.
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