Is this a good light?

[Bera]

Hi. Im thinking of buying this light. Is this a good brand or are there any better? its the basking light and ill have a glow light also. Thats how its supposed to be right? The glow light is the exo terra one. Also do i need to supplement with d3 vitamins? Or will it be too much?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
Arcadia is one of the best brands available. However, all-in-one lamps are bad choice (simply put technical specs aren't the best and they are more expensive in the long run).

Optimal is to have separate sources of heat, UVB and ambient light: you can adjust position and timings for each to get more natural light cycle, temperatures and UV exposure.

1. Arcadia ProT5 Desert 12% is the best UVB lamp at the moment. For most enclosures 24W version is sufficient. Lamp should be installed at 18-20" (45-50cm) above substrate and set on 4 hour timer (around midday).
2. Basking lamp - any regular (non-halogen) incandescent flood bulb. Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight, for example. Wattage depends on the enclosure and room temperatures, but 75W is the most common. This lamp is set on 12-14 hour timer.
3. Ambient LED lights. They provide more brightness in the enclosure. Also set on 12-14 hour timer. Household LED strips/battens/bars/bulbs or non-colored grow lights can be used. Color temperature 5000-6500K (neutral or cold daylight), CRI >95.
4. If room temperature is less than 24C you may need supplemental heat source, like ceramic heat emitter. It's connected to a thermostat and always on.

 

[Bera]

Hello!
Arcadia is one of the best brands available. However, all-in-one lamps are bad choice (simply put technical specs aren't the best and they are more expensive in the long run).

Optimal is to have separate sources of heat, UVB and ambient light: you can adjust position and timings for each to get more natural light cycle, temperatures and UV exposure.

1. Arcadia ProT5 Desert 12% is the best UVB lamp at the moment. For most enclosures 24W version is sufficient. Lamp should be installed at 18-20" (45-50cm) above substrate and set on 4 hour timer (around midday).
2. Basking lamp - any regular (non-halogen) incandescent flood bulb. Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight, for example. Wattage depends on the enclosure and room temperatures, but 75W is the most common. This lamp is set on 12-14 hour timer.
3. Ambient LED lights. They provide more brightness in the enclosure. Also set on 12-14 hour timer. Household LED strips/battens/bars/bulbs or non-colored grow lights can be used. Color temperature 5000-6500K (neutral or cold daylight), CRI >95.
4. If room temperature is less than 24C you may need supplemental heat source, like ceramic heat emitter. It's connected to a thermostat and always on.

Thanks for reply, but could you suggest more uvb lights? I cant find the one you suggested in my country but i found a 7% version is that ok?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thanks for reply, but could you suggest more uvb lights? I cant find the one you suggested in my country but i found a 7% version is that ok?

7% version is likely Arcadia ShadeDweller - it's made for geckos and similar species, it's too dim for tortoises.

Alternatives to Arcadia:
1. ZooMed Reptisun (Terrarium Hood + Reptisun 10.0 lamp).
2. Reptile Systems T5 Kit Zone 3
3. ExoTerra T5HO UVB300 (these are fairly new, haven't seen them in shops yet)
4. Arcadia LumenIZE T5 Desert 12% (it's the same lamp as ProT5 kit but with smartphone control and slightly higher price).

You can search for Arcadia and ZooMed lamps on Amazon in other EU countries (Germany, France). I've got my lamps from Amazon.de. Also some regional online shops have delivery across EU (for example, imcages.com)

If in doubt, we can double-check equipment before you order it.

 

[Bera]

7% version is likely Arcadia ShadeDweller - it's made for geckos and similar species, it's too dim for tortoises.

Alternatives to Arcadia:
1. ZooMed Reptisun (Terrarium Hood + Reptisun 10.0 lamp).
2. Reptile Systems T5 Kit Zone 3
3. ExoTerra T5HO UVB300 (these are fairly new, haven't seen them in shops yet)
4. Arcadia LumenIZE T5 Desert 12% (it's the same lamp as ProT5 kit but with smartphone control and slightly higher price).

You can search for Arcadia and ZooMed lamps on Amazon in other EU countries (Germany, France). I've got my lamps from Amazon.de. Also some regional online shops have delivery across EU (for example, imcages.com)

If in doubt, we can double-check equipment before you order it.

Thanks! I think i mightve found it if you could double check

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Yes, lights are correct. The 39W lamp is 85cm long. The 24W is a better fit for smaller enclosures (120-150cm):

Arcadia Pro T5 uvb kit 12% 24w - Reptilutstyr AS

12% T5 kit fra Arcadia som passer til reptiler på Fergusons skalaen sone 3 Ferguson skala. Tilsvarer Zone 3 og 10.0 Reflektoren har en 103 graders spredning24

www.reptilutstyr.net

What is your enclosure size?

 

[Bera]

Yes, lights are correct. The 39W lamp is 85cm long. The 24W is a better fit for smaller enclosures (120-150cm):

Arcadia Pro T5 uvb kit 12% 24w - Reptilutstyr AS

12% T5 kit fra Arcadia som passer til reptiler på Fergusons skalaen sone 3 Ferguson skala. Tilsvarer Zone 3 og 10.0 Reflektoren har en 103 graders spredning24

www.reptilutstyr.net

What is your enclosure size?

It is for a baby greek tortoise, the enclosure in length is 120cm in length and 55cm on the sides. But i can get a bigger enclosure?

 

[MaNaAk]

It is for a baby greek tortoise, the enclosure in length is 120cm in length and 55cm on the sides. But i can get a bigger enclosure?

That's what I used plus:

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

It is for a baby greek tortoise, the enclosure in length is 120cm in length and 55cm on the sides. But i can get a bigger enclosure?

Of course, if you can build a larger enclosure it will be better. Baby tortoises don't get lost and don't go feral in large enclosures but happily explore all space available.

120x55cm is a nice "starter" size for a year or two. If that's what you already have - it's fine.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

That's what I used plus:View attachment 387275

Spotlights are not recommended because of uneven and small heated area. Floodlights are better in that sense. Some spot lights are more or less fine at proper distance, but Arcadia Spotlights are no good at all.

 

[Tom]

That's what I used plus:View attachment 387275