MVB

[redfootraider]

Was wondering if I should use a MVB as a basking light or am I suppose to use a different light for basking? And also where in my enclosure should I have the ceramic heat emitter?

 

[AnthonyC]

I have 3 baby Sulcatas, and I do use my MVB as a basking light. I also have a CHE that I use only at night. What I do is turn off the MVB @ night, wait for it to cool a bit, and then position the CHE to the spot where the MVB was. For me that's pretty much dead center in the enclosure. I couldn't tell you if this is the ideal way to do it, but so far it has been working for me.
*Just a side note: Under the MVB my hot spot temp is about 100.
At night, under the CHE, it drops down in the 80s.

 

[Tony the tank]

Well I guess a lot would have to depend on the size of your enclosure...in the past I have used a CHE placed high to keep the warm side of the enclosure in the 80+- (24/7)and used a MVB to creat a basking area (100*F) and a night shut the basking light(MVB) off..

Good luck

 

[Redstrike]

I'm a firm advocate for UVB exposure, but I also agree it depends on the size of your enclosure. The tort/torti needs the ability to escape the MVB bulb if it so wishes. I run a 100-W MVB at the far end of my enclosure for ~5 hrs/day.

The best source of UVB is sunlight, undisputed! If you can get your tort outside, great! No bulb can do what our star does.

The larger your enclosure the better, but space can be limiting. The best way to setup a heat gradient would be one that compliments your lighting regime (warm & bright, cool & dark). If you can do this, it will mimic a more natural setting. Regardless, you need a temperature gradient no matter how you do this so the tort can self regulate its body temperatures within the provided habitat.

I'd strongly urge you to pick up a copy of this book prior to getting your RF and during the creation of your enclosure:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1441494030/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

If you can't afford this, keep asking questions here and be sure to look at the articles section within the "General Tortoise Discussion" forum. Also, check out the tortoise library if you haven't already: http://www.tortoiselibrary.com/

 

[redfootraider]

I'm a firm advocate for UVB exposure, but I also agree it depends on the size of your enclosure. The tort/torti needs the ability to escape the MVB bulb if it so wishes. I run a 100-W MVB at the far end of my enclosure for ~5 hrs/day.

The best source of UVB is sunlight, undisputed! If you can get your tort outside, great! No bulb can do what our star does.

The larger your enclosure the better, but space can be limiting. The best way to setup a heat gradient would be one that compliments your lighting regime (warm & bright, cool & dark). If you can do this, it will mimic a more natural setting. Regardless, you need a temperature gradient no matter how you do this so the tort can self regulate its body temperatures within the provided habitat.

I'd strongly urge you to pick up a copy of this book prior to getting your RF and during the creation of your enclosure:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1441494030/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

If you can't afford this, keep asking questions here and be sure to look at the articles section within the "General Tortoise Discussion" forum. Also, check out the tortoise library if you haven't already: http://www.tortoiselibrary.com/

My enclosure is 8x4. How high am I suppose to have the MVB light above from the tortoise? And also about how many hours should I take the tortoise outside so that it gets a good amount of sun light?

 

[Redstrike]

I'm a firm advocate for UVB exposure, but I also agree it depends on the size of your enclosure. The tort/torti needs the ability to escape the MVB bulb if it so wishes. I run a 100-W MVB at the far end of my enclosure for ~5 hrs/day.

The best source of UVB is sunlight, undisputed! If you can get your tort outside, great! No bulb can do what our star does.

The larger your enclosure the better, but space can be limiting. The best way to setup a heat gradient would be one that compliments your lighting regime (warm & bright, cool & dark). If you can do this, it will mimic a more natural setting. Regardless, you need a temperature gradient no matter how you do this so the tort can self regulate its body temperatures within the provided habitat.

I'd strongly urge you to pick up a copy of this book prior to getting your RF and during the creation of your enclosure:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1441494030/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

If you can't afford this, keep asking questions here and be sure to look at the articles section within the "General Tortoise Discussion" forum. Also, check out the tortoise library if you haven't already: http://www.tortoiselibrary.com/

My enclosure is 8x4. How high am I suppose to have the MVB light above from the tortoise? And also about how many hours should I take the tortoise outside so that it gets a good amount of sun light?

The height is subjective, depending on how much heat and UV intensity you wish to focus on one spot. The closer to the bulb, the more UV and heat. My MVB did not come with min. distance (couldn't believe that!) but I'd guess you'll want a minimum of 18 inches.

I'm unsure what qualifies as adequate time for natural sunlight. I live in NY, so when it's 60ºF or greater, I take my two hatchlings out for at least 30 minutes for sunshine. Usually we stay out for about an hour, but I really don't know of a specified time being established. Anyone else?

 

[ascott]

At least 30 minutes would be a fair statement.....and a follow up with ----and much more if you are able to

 

[Tony the tank]

You really don't want to guestimate on the distance from the bulb..To far.. no Usable UVB..to close..to much..

Who is the manufacturer of the bulb??.Give them a call and ask for the min and max distance for placement..also see if they'll tell you the output at both min and max...

Good luck

 

[ascott]

Perfect suggestion given

 

[Redstrike]

You really don't want to guestimate on the distance from the bulb..To far.. no Usable UVB..to close..to much..

Who is the manufacturer of the bulb??.Give them a call and ask for the min and max distance for placement..also see if they'll tell you the output at both min and max...

Good luck

This is a much better and less ambiguous answer than mine, I'd follow Tony's advise here!