I Need Bulb Help!

[kira]

So I just bought a Russian tortoise a couple days ago. He seems to like his bulbs, but are these the right ones I need?

I keep the long white one on during the day, with the white circular bulb at the same time. At night, I turn on just the red circular one. (It's been getting down to around 20-30 here at night)

Do I need more, less? Is this good?

 

[gieseygirly]

Did you buy your Russian from a pet store? I just bought mine from a pet store a month & a half ago and have been discovering ever since that EVERYTHING they told me upon purchase was wrong. Several bulb purchases and returns later, I finally have what make my Russian perfectly healthy and happy - a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb. I discovered the coiled bulb I bought (much like yours) made her eyes swell and are known to cause blindness. Then, they sold me an infrared NIGHTTIME heat bulb which she doesn't need at all. Do you have a heat bulb? I keep Delilah's basking spot right at 90 to 95 degrees. The ZooMed PowerSun provides UVB and heat, so you can't lose. It's a little pricey, but is great. Her eyes are doing much better and she's become much more active. <sorry for writing a book here, but just want what's best for your lil guy/gal>

 

[wellington]

Great advice already give. I am just going to stress. Get rid of the coil bulb. They do just what happened to gieseygirly.

 

[kira]

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

 

[gieseygirly]

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

---

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

Forgot to mention - temps outside of the basking area range from 65 to 75 degrees. Her sleeping quarters are the coolest.

 

[kira]

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

---

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

Forgot to mention - temps outside of the basking area range from 65 to 75 degrees. Her sleeping quarters are the coolest.

---

I thought the UV was bad for them? Our house gets to around 67-68 at night, too cold I would think? What bulbs exactly should I go get from the store?

 

[gieseygirly]

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

---

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

Forgot to mention - temps outside of the basking area range from 65 to 75 degrees. Her sleeping quarters are the coolest.

---

I thought the UV was bad for them? Our house gets to around 67-68 at night, too cold I would think? What bulbs exactly should I go get from the store?

---

UVB is crucial to a tortoise's health - it aids in their digestion and overall health. UVB is a must. The PowerSun supplies UBA, UVB, light, and heat all in one bulb. Overall, the entire enclosure should be light during the day with a singled out area for basking around 90 to 95 degrees. All in all, I recommend the PowerSun for the basking area, then an 18" tube bulb to light the remainder of the enclosure during the day. Your nighttime temps are fine (67 - 68).

---

Leave your basking light and any daytime lights on for 12-14 hours a day. Also, should you choose to purchase a tube bulb as additional day light, be sure to get a fixture for it. Usually you can find them sold together in a kit. Good luck, Kira, and enjoy watching your lil guy feasting and roam about!!!!!!

 

[kira]

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

---

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

Forgot to mention - temps outside of the basking area range from 65 to 75 degrees. Her sleeping quarters are the coolest.

---

I thought the UV was bad for them? Our house gets to around 67-68 at night, too cold I would think? What bulbs exactly should I go get from the store?

---

UVB is crucial to a tortoise's health - it aids in their digestion and overall health. UVB is a must. The PowerSun supplies UBA, UVB, light, and heat all in one bulb. Overall, the entire enclosure should be light during the day with a singled out area for basking around 90 to 95 degrees. All in all, I recommend the PowerSun for the basking area, then an 18" tube bulb to light the remainder of the enclosure during the day. Your nighttime temps are fine (67 - 68).

---

Leave your basking light and any daytime lights on for 12-14 hours a day. Also, should you choose to purchase a tube bulb as additional day light, be sure to get a fixture for it. Usually you can find them sold together in a kit. Good luck, Kira, and enjoy watching your lil guy feasting and roam about!!!!!!

---

---

Okay, I got the PowerSun bulb, which was on sale! Also, the 18 inch tube bulb. However I am going to stick with the red light for nighttime, Sheldon really seems to like it. Thanks for all your help!

 

[gieseygirly]

So to make this clear, all I need is a 100W ZooMed PowerSun bulb? No nighttime bulb? It does get in the low 30s at night where I live & I'm worried he'd freeze...

Going to the pet store later, so any quick suggestions would be great. Thanks everyone!

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

---

Do you house him outside in those temps? If so, I recommend bringing him indoors into a tortoise table. Those temps are much too cold for him. I have the PowerSun in the basking area, plus I have a tube uvb bulb in other portion of table to ensure entire table is adequately lighted during the day (my table is 7' long by 3' wide). Otherwise she'll roam away from basking area, see no light. and bury herself to bed.

Forgot to mention - temps outside of the basking area range from 65 to 75 degrees. Her sleeping quarters are the coolest.

---

I thought the UV was bad for them? Our house gets to around 67-68 at night, too cold I would think? What bulbs exactly should I go get from the store?

---

UVB is crucial to a tortoise's health - it aids in their digestion and overall health. UVB is a must. The PowerSun supplies UBA, UVB, light, and heat all in one bulb. Overall, the entire enclosure should be light during the day with a singled out area for basking around 90 to 95 degrees. All in all, I recommend the PowerSun for the basking area, then an 18" tube bulb to light the remainder of the enclosure during the day. Your nighttime temps are fine (67 - 68).

---

Leave your basking light and any daytime lights on for 12-14 hours a day. Also, should you choose to purchase a tube bulb as additional day light, be sure to get a fixture for it. Usually you can find them sold together in a kit. Good luck, Kira, and enjoy watching your lil guy feasting and roam about!!!!!!

---

---

Okay, I got the PowerSun bulb, which was on sale! Also, the 18 inch tube bulb. However I am going to stick with the red light for nighttime, Sheldon really seems to like it. Thanks for all your help!

---

---

You're welcome! I'm surprised he likes the heat at night - mine runs away from the heat when she's ready for bed. Just keep an eye and make sure he's not overheating. Again, congrats and good luck!

 

[Spn785]

A Russian tortoise should actually have temps between 58 and 65 at night, if it is an adult (which it is if you bought it from a pet store), then 67 or 68 is fine, but I would take away the night time heat. Just my opinion though.

 

[GBtortoises]

A Russian tortoise should actually have temps between 58 and 65 at night, if it is an adult (which it is if you bought it from a pet store), then 67 or 68 is fine, but I would take away the night time heat. Just my opinion though.

I agree with the above! Russian tortoises, as well as other temperate climate tortoises should experience at least a 15-20 degree temperature differential from night to day for normal activity.

 

[gieseygirly]

From my experience, it seems that my Russian doesn't want to wake the next day if her temps are below 65 degrees. But, as Spn785 mentioned, yes, she is store-bought. I've heard if kept too cold, food digestion slows and can even halt entirely, yet too warm makes them stop eating. My lil gal eats like a hog, so I must be doing something right!

 

[kira]

So should I take back the red heat bulb? This is all so new & confusing, but I'm trying to get it!

 

[Spn785]

Well you are doing good, always ask questions until you feel comfortable. You did good joining this site and not just doing what the pet store said.

 

[kira]

Thank you, I've gotten so much more comfortable with everything. Definitely learned from my mistake of listening to the Petsmart woman. Everything's coming into place for this little guy, & I'm just trying to give him the best possible home! My best move was joining this site by far, everyone has been so kind & helpful. Definitely gained a little knowledge here!

 

[gieseygirly]

Thank you, I've gotten so much more comfortable with everything. Definitely learned from my mistake of listening to the Petsmart woman. Everything's coming into place for this little guy, & I'm just trying to give him the best possible home! My best move was joining this site by far, everyone has been so kind & helpful. Definitely gained a little knowledge here!

Interesting - PetSmart is where I received all the wrong information for my lil gal, Delilah. I was just there the other day and heard the same man that sold me my Russian giving the same WRONG advice to a lady who also had purchased a Russian. I wanted to approach her so bad, but didn't want to be rude. Now I feel guilty that I didn't just talk to her...............

 

[kira]

Thank you, I've gotten so much more comfortable with everything. Definitely learned from my mistake of listening to the Petsmart woman. Everything's coming into place for this little guy, & I'm just trying to give him the best possible home! My best move was joining this site by far, everyone has been so kind & helpful. Definitely gained a little knowledge here!

Interesting - PetSmart is where I received all the wrong information for my lil gal, Delilah. I was just there the other day and heard the same man that sold me my Russian giving the same WRONG advice to a lady who also had purchased a Russian. I wanted to approach her so bad, but didn't want to be rude. Now I feel guilty that I didn't just talk to her...............

There's always next time! She'll hopefully learn. I actually told one of the women that worked there why I was returning the bedding & bulb, and she tells me "Wow, I'm glad you told me, I never knew that..."

 

[kanalomele]

Since you are in the Bay area and I am in the Sacramento area I can assure you that the decision to let them cool off at night is correct. The average CA home stays well within their comfort zone at night. If they get and stay at or below 50 degrees or so they will want to brumate. Oh and also... most pet store employees do not know diddley squat about torts/turtles or reptiles in general.

 

[kira]

I've figured that out. Returned the heat bulb I used at night yesterday. Sheldon seems to be doing well. Today was beautiful, so I let him get some natural UVB & roam around in the yard. He loved it. Thanks!

 

[Spn785]

Glad to hear everything is going well! More pictures is always appreciated by the way.