Looking for lighting/heat ideas.

[Jodie]

Hello experts and creative tortoise lovers,
I am adding an addition to my current closed enclosure for young leopards. Currently I have a 2' X 5' enclosure that has a UVB tube, CHE, and a basking light. I am adding a T shaped, to optimize the space, lower level. It is approximately 7square feet of space. I am not going to heat it at night, but thinking I will feed there. Water will be available on both levels. I will enclose the lower level as well. My problem is that I would like to use one source there that will provide UVB and heat. I am afraid that even the small power Sun's and Sun glos will be too hot for a small enclosed area. I can't find anything smaller than 100 watt, that is not the evil coil type. Any ideas, or am I going to have to use separate sources?

 

[Yvonne G]

I wouldn't worry about adding UVB to the new addition. They'll be getting all they need from the one light. As for heat...you can go without anything at first, and check the temperature frequently. If it gets cooler than you'd like, then add a 60 watt CHE. A regular incandescent bulb for light would be good enough. And you may even think about covering it or partially covering it to make better use of the heat and humidity.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Even just a small 60w bulb in a smaller lamp on the bottom would probably work well if it's too cold down there.

 

[Jodie]

I wouldn't worry about adding UVB to the new addition. They'll be getting all they need from the one light. As for heat...you can go without anything at first, and check the temperature frequently. If it gets cooler than you'd like, then add a 60 watt CHE. A regular incandescent bulb for light would be good enough. And you may even think about covering it or partially covering it to make better use of the heat and humidity.

It will be enclosed, but because I am going to feed them on the lower level I want UVB there. I would move it from the top, but that one is a long tube that provides UVB for another enclosure as well. Do I need to worry about too much UVB? Because it is underneath the original enclosure I am worried it will be dark. Oh the joys and challenges of tortoises. Thanks for your input Yvonne.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Those tubes don't put out that much UVB, but your tortoises can go up to that level for UVB, I would put an incandescent bulb on the lower level and be sure to feed a varied diet to make up for any lack of UVB and you can use a black light bulb for heat on the lower level if you need to. I like them better then CHE's