Need to add another light

[Careym13]

I'm looking for opinions on what kind of light to add to my 16sq ft indoor closed chamber enclosure. I think it needs more light and I'm thinking my torts need more access to UV with winter approaching. Currently, they have a 100w Powersun bulb for heat and UV during the day. They get outside for about an hour a day when it is warm enough but that is going to be nearing an end here in another 5-6 weeks or so. So, what would be a good option for additional UV and light without adding heat?

 

[leigti]

Use a UVB strip light. How far away from your Taurus is it going to be? What type in age of tortoise?

 

[Careym13]

I would say about 18", but I can lower it if need be. Torts are 1 year old Leopards.

 

[leigti]

My enclosure is 20 inches deep. The substrate varies in depth. But over all the bold is about 15 inches from the top of my tortoise. I use a T5 high output fixture and 10.0 hi output tube. @Tom would be a good source to ask.

 

[Careym13]

Ok thanks. Is your tube by Arcadia?

 

[leigti]

No, I think it is reptisun. I think the Arcadia tubes are a little stronger.

 

[leigti]

Actually, I read on a website that sells them that they are a lot stronger. Some members here use them. Maybe one of them will chime in here.

 

[Tom]

I'm using the Arcadia 12%HO tubes right now. I've got some 34" and some 46" ones running currently. They make so much UV that I set them on timers to only be on for 4-5 hours mid day. Mine are mounted about 20" over the tortoises and I still get UV readings that are as high as mid day summer sun.

I like these a lot, but they might be too much for some situations. If I were you I would get two florescent tube fixtures. Run a regular 6500K florescent tube in one and set it on the same timer as your basking lamp. Then run the HO tube on its own timer mid day to simulate that brightness and high UV of mid day sunshine outside. THis is what I do in my indoor set ups.

I get my Arcadia tubes and fixtures from http://www.lightyourreptiles.com. Very good products and excellent customer service.

If you don't like this strategy then the type of tube that leigti is using might suit you better as a one bulb, on all day, sort of set up. I don't know what the UV output of her bulb is though. Might be the same as mine, or it might be lower. If its a lot lower and mounted at 18" high, you will get light, but probably not much UV benefit. There are a lot of "ifs" there. I'd love for someone to out a UV meter under that type of bulb...

 

[leigti]

Right now I am in the middle of revamping my winter enclosure. I can't remember what the UV was last year, I guess I should've wrote it down. I will test these as soon as I get a chance. Yes, my lights are on all day. I thought about getting the Arcadia but figured it would be too much for an all day situation. So I will probably stick with what I have.

 

[leigti]

@Tom sorry to sort of a butt in on this thread. But the OPD might find it helpful. I read on a website where you can buy the Arcadia bulbs that they are 95% stronger UV than regular T5 bulbs. How is that even possible? I realize there is a difference between high output and regular and that Arcadia are stronger but doesn't really add up to 95%?

 

[Tom]

@Tom sorry to sort of a butt in on this thread. But the OPD might find it helpful. I read on a website where you can buy the Arcadia bulbs that they are 95% stronger UV than regular T5 bulbs. How is that even possible? I realize there is a difference between high output and regular and that Arcadia are stronger but doesn't really add up to 95%?

Don't know.

I get a reading of 1.1 out of regular 10.0 bulbs at 10" away from the meter. Its is questionable whether there is even any benefit from such low output. Some people think there is a "threshold" that must be crossed before D3 synthesis can begin in the skin. It is not known whether a UV index reading of 1.1 is over that threshold or not.

I get a reading of 6.7-7.1 from my Arcadia 12% bulbs at 20" away. That is a WORLD of difference, but I don't know how they reached a conclusion of 95% more.

 

[Careym13]

So would this be the right one? http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-d3-t-5-34-inch-39-watt-12-desert-uvb-the-original-reptile-ho-t5-in-north-america/
I see on their website that the HO bulb requires the HO fixture, is that what you use or would a florescent tube fixture from Lowes be sufficient?

 

[leigti]

You need the hi output fixture. The one from the hardware store won't work. The 12% is the one that Tom leaves on for part of the day. The 10.0 is what I leave on all day.

 

[Careym13]

Ok thanks. I'm going to get the bulb in the link above and a high output fixture from the site Tom recommended. I'm looking online now to find a 6500k bulb and fixture since I couldn't find either at Lowes.

 

[Tom]

Ok thanks. I'm going to get the bulb in the link above and a high output fixture from the site Tom recommended. I'm looking online now to find a 6500k bulb and fixture since I couldn't find either at Lowes.

6500k defines the color spectrum. 2500k bulbs look yellowish, 5000-6500 look whitish to a little blue. It looks much more "natural". These regular bulbs and fixtures should be easy to find at any hardware store. I had trouble at Lowes too. Try Home Depot. If not, they are easy to find on line.

 

[Careym13]

I found one 6500 at Lowes, but it was T12 and they had no fixtures that would fit it. I just ordered the 34" 12% from the place you recommended and the fixture to go with it. I'm going to go ahead and put it on a timer from like 11-4 I think.

 

[Careym13]

6500k defines the color spectrum. 2500k bulbs look yellowish, 5000-6500 look whitish to a little blue. It looks much more "natural". These regular bulbs and fixtures should be easy to find at any hardware store. I had trouble at Lowes too. Try Home Depot. If not, they are easy to find on line.

I found a T5 6500k with a fixture online from Home Depot, 2ft long.

 

[Careym13]

Ok here is the 6500k strip light I got. It is SUPER bright. It gave me a headache just staring at it for a few minutes last night trying to decide if I like the location I had it in. It is hanging about 24 inches above the substrate. I just want to make sure you all think it is ok before I continue using it. I have an Arcadia 12% bulb that I will be adding on friday for UV since the Powersun isn't cutting it for the enclosure layout right now.

 

[Tom]

Bright is good. Remember we are trying to simulate daylight sunshine in our indoor enclosures.

 

[Odin's Gma]

I hate to be a budinski, but this thread has the most info I have found so far on this matter and it didn't make sense to start a whole new thread for just a question or two.

6500k defines the color spectrum. 2500k bulbs look yellowish, 5000-6500 look whitish to a little blue. It looks much more "natural".

I bought a four foot fixture and two T12 3100k bulbs for the 6'x3' enclosed greenhouse portion of Odin's indoor enclosure that we are planning, (his MVB and CHE will be in another attached but separate area). Do you think they will have sufficient light output for growing his plants in there full time and do you have any idea how much heat they will produce?