Mix basking lamp with UVB lamp?

[Abe97]

I've heard that a basking lamp is important for a tortoise enclosure and that a UVB lamp is important as well. I have a medium sized enclosure indoors and my greek tort is indoors most of the year since I live in Canada and the weather is cold 90% of the year.

How would I go about installing both lamps in my tort's enclosure? Should there be a basking spot and a UVB spot or should they be mixed?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jaizei]

I think its best to have the UVB provided in the basking area.

 

[Abe97]

I think its best to have the UVB provided in the basking area.

I have a basking lamp and a UVB lamp already. Can I use both?

 

[Markw84]

I have a basking lamp and a UVB lamp already. Can I use both?

What type are the lights? Are they both UVB producing light? Or the basking one a simple incandescent and the UVB a fluorescent? What type fluorescent?

The basking response seems to be triggered by heat. In basking mode the tortoise will extend all limbs out to the heat and therefore the UVB. It is the back of all four limbs with the thinner skin where the bulk of the pre-vitamin D is produced. Therefore you want the UVB and heat source coming from as close to the same place as possible.

 

[JoesMum]

Here's a lighting summary I keep by way of explanation. Hope it helps:

Your tort needs:

1. A basking lamp
This must hang vertically, not at an angle. Basking is essential to raise your tortoise's core temperature so it can digest food. This must be on continuously for 12-14 hours and must not be used with a thermostat.

2. UVB light
Read the instructions for the source to see how close to the substrate it must be. UVB is essential so your tort can process dietary calcium and have healthy bones and shell. This must also be on for 12-14 hours.

Both 1 and 2 are available from the sun for those able to live outside.

UVB does not pass through glass or perspex(plexiglass) - light must be direct to be effective not through a window. Mesh screening can also interfere with UVB.

3. A minimum overnight temperature (see the care sheet for your species) and complete darkness at night to sleep.


Notes

(a) A Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB) provides combined UVB and Basking. Alternatively you can use 2 bulbs: a tube UVB and a reflector bulb for basking (a household reflector - not low energy or halogen - from a hardware store will do the job; it's the wattage that counts) It must not be used with a thermostat, rheostat or dimmer.

(b) Ignore any references to UVA you may read - it's misleading marketing speak.

(c) Compact coil UVB harms tortoise eyes and must not be used.

(d) Basking and UVB should be on a timer so the light(s) are on for 12 hours a day. Temperature under the basking is regulated by its height above the substrate.

(e) Overnight, depending on your home, you may need additional heat. You get this from a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter) which must be on a thermostat.

(f) Torts have outstanding colour vision and love red and purple food. Coloured heat lamps colour tank decor and torts don't always apply intelligence to what they eat, resulting them in eating tank decor. Coloured bulbs should not be used.


Measurements

There are 4 important temperatures that you must know for an indoor enclosure.
- Directly under the basking lamp
- Warm side
- Cool side
- Overnight Minimum

You will need digital thermometers for accuracy.

A temperature gun thermometer (inexpensive from Amazon) measures temperature accurately in specific places like directly under the basking lamp.

A min/max thermometer so you know the min/max temperatures in your home by day and night.

You should also get a good digital probe hygrometer to measure humidity.

Thermometers and hygrometer that stick to the side of the enclosure tend to be less accurate.