So I have a 20 gallon long terrarium for Rambo (for now) and I'm fearing that the MVB (when I get it in 5-8 days, just ordered it) bulb will be too close to him? I'm asking this because he has a lot of energy and he likes to climb on his log hide out which is right under where the MBV bulb will be and where the bulb I have now for him is.
Lights too close?
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I use a stand also, this one http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=83&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=20
its around $20-$30 and works with dome an wire fixtures.
its around $20-$30 and works with dome an wire fixtures.
how far is it to the top of the log hide it should 12" away as ChiKat said a light stand work great I have one to an love it post some updated pic's of your enclosure when your done
Be sure to read the instructions that come with your new light. Some of them say that the light should not be any closer to the floor of the habitat than 12". I take that to mean it shouldn't be any closer than 12" to the back of your tortoise. Using a stand is the way to go. Either a stand or hang the light fixture from a chain from the ceiling of the room.
I always use my thermometer to set my lamp height.
Okay, I don't have any money at the moment. I spent it all on the MVB, substrate and raffle tickets for my school (I was supposed to sell them but I fail at selling stuff 
) But when I get money maybe I'll get him I light stand, and I should be done with his enclosure tonight so I'll post some pictures
) But when I get money maybe I'll get him I light stand, and I should be done with his enclosure tonight so I'll post some pictures Wait I just looked at the ceiling and found a hook hanging close to his enclosure! YES!
Hahh Rambo was my Chanukkah present
Oh, and my MVB haha My dad has done MORE than enough for me, I have to scavenge for money somewhere else
Hahh Rambo was my Chanukkah present
Oh, and my MVB haha
My dad has done MORE than enough for me, I have to scavenge for money somewhere else abra said:Wait I just looked at the ceiling and found a hook hanging close to his enclosure! YES!
Hahh Rambo was my Chanukkah present
Oh, and my MVB haha
If you use string/rope to hang your lamp make sure it doesnt touch anything hot. Aslo be sure the hook will hold...
Good luck
Make sure you use a the proper rated hood (dome) for your MVB. Also, do you have a metal screen top. If so, you shoud be able to rest the dome directly on the screen...especially since you're going with a 100W MVB. And in a 20 gallon tank (which Rambo will outgrow sooner than you think), you shouldn't need another heat source. And try to use a stepping stone or something similar for his basking spot.
Congrats on the new bulb and substrate! Ensure you have an accurate thermometer and ruler so you can securely mount the bulb at the correct height (12-18 inches) to get the correct basking temp. I assume you aren't mounting it directly over the log hide, so if the tort climbs on the hide next to the basking spot, it won't be nearly as hot in the gradient even though its higher (but you do need to measure the temp there, and remember your tort is higher than the substrate so its a bit hotter at the tort's level). If you don't measure temps, you could burn or otherwise injure your tort, so please be careful. If the bulb is too low and too hot, your tort is getting too much UVB. If its too high and too cold, your tort isn't getting useful UVB. Also be careful of hanging the bulb, that the hook doesn't come out of the wall, and that the fixture isn't at an angle (bulb face must be parallel to substrate). You need to be able to vertically adjust the bulb, not just hang it at one level and leave it there (measure temps every 1-2 days and adjust the bulb accordingly).
We deal with a lot of fire hazards with heat sources and wood substrates. With a small aquarium (they hold in heat and can bake a tort easily if you aren't careful), you likely have to have the bulb right at the edge of the enclosure so that you heat partly inside and partly outside, or else it will make the entire enclosure too warm (the heat gradient may take up the entire enclosure so its all 80s & 90s, no 70s). Something to test out without the tort in there. Remember a MVB takes a few hours to warm up. Measure after the bulb has warmed up, and in the hottest part of the day (if your room temp changes). Hopefully you are going to be able to get a larger enclosure soon? You can make a tort table out of a bookcase, or get a xmas tree plastic tub....lots of cheaper options out there. Any way to return the tank still? In the long run though, you'll need quite a bit of money to keep a tort going with substrate, food, potential vet bills, yearly MVB change, and any other replacement stuff like enclosure/fixtures/light stand/dishes/hides, etc. Good luck!
We deal with a lot of fire hazards with heat sources and wood substrates. With a small aquarium (they hold in heat and can bake a tort easily if you aren't careful), you likely have to have the bulb right at the edge of the enclosure so that you heat partly inside and partly outside, or else it will make the entire enclosure too warm (the heat gradient may take up the entire enclosure so its all 80s & 90s, no 70s). Something to test out without the tort in there. Remember a MVB takes a few hours to warm up. Measure after the bulb has warmed up, and in the hottest part of the day (if your room temp changes). Hopefully you are going to be able to get a larger enclosure soon? You can make a tort table out of a bookcase, or get a xmas tree plastic tub....lots of cheaper options out there. Any way to return the tank still? In the long run though, you'll need quite a bit of money to keep a tort going with substrate, food, potential vet bills, yearly MVB change, and any other replacement stuff like enclosure/fixtures/light stand/dishes/hides, etc. Good luck!
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