GMac91
New Member
2 weeks ago I bought a 4-5 month old horsefield tortoise with a 3 foot vivarium, ceramic heat bulb and Reptisun 5.0 compact which the pet shop stated would provide enough UVB.
Looking at the setup, I feel that he is not getting enough UVB because he left a large calcium deposit in his food bowl and seems to take a little while to wake when turning the UVB on in the morning. I fear he might not be getting the amount of UVB he needs to start his day, or to process the calcium supplement in his food properly.
He was quite lethargic for the first few days so I switched his hide around which was causing a shadow in his favourite digging corner that he spent a lot of time in, to allow the light to reach him. I also increased his night time temperature from 24 degrees celcius to 27 degrees as recommended after a phone call to the pet shop, they said it was likely the 24 degrees was on the colder side which is what you'd have when preparing for hibernation.
This did improve his activeness through the day, but it was 2 days ago I discovered the calcium deposit so I'm still unsure if he is getting the UVB he needs. The light is on for 12 hours per day.
I have searched and cannot find a straight forward answer to whether the Reptisun 5.0 compact is aqequate. I have seen alot being mentioned about the Reptisun T5 HO 5.0 and 10.0 linear bulbs, but getting mixed information about light placement and distance they should be.
The inside of my viv measures 14 inches from the roof to the substrate. I would prefer to switch to a linear bulb to make sure I'm giving him the best I can, but not sure which one is safer/adequate enough for him.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Looking at the setup, I feel that he is not getting enough UVB because he left a large calcium deposit in his food bowl and seems to take a little while to wake when turning the UVB on in the morning. I fear he might not be getting the amount of UVB he needs to start his day, or to process the calcium supplement in his food properly.
He was quite lethargic for the first few days so I switched his hide around which was causing a shadow in his favourite digging corner that he spent a lot of time in, to allow the light to reach him. I also increased his night time temperature from 24 degrees celcius to 27 degrees as recommended after a phone call to the pet shop, they said it was likely the 24 degrees was on the colder side which is what you'd have when preparing for hibernation.
This did improve his activeness through the day, but it was 2 days ago I discovered the calcium deposit so I'm still unsure if he is getting the UVB he needs. The light is on for 12 hours per day.
I have searched and cannot find a straight forward answer to whether the Reptisun 5.0 compact is aqequate. I have seen alot being mentioned about the Reptisun T5 HO 5.0 and 10.0 linear bulbs, but getting mixed information about light placement and distance they should be.
The inside of my viv measures 14 inches from the roof to the substrate. I would prefer to switch to a linear bulb to make sure I'm giving him the best I can, but not sure which one is safer/adequate enough for him.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.