New keeper need advice

[JoesMum]

That is the compact coil UVB that harms tort eyes and is not suitable.

This is whats in there now so basicly the uv strip and the che
It seems i am missing the basking lamp
If you look i do have the old fittings still avaliable
So if i put the badking lamp above the hide set thermostat underneath
Move the che to a more central position on a thermostat
Turn on uv and basking lamp fir 12 hrs
The woman in the pet shop told me wouldnt need basking lamp che is ok

The woman in the pet shop's advice is wrong. She clearly knows little about tortoises - it's quite common in pet stores unfortunately.

Get rid of your UVB.

Buy a Mercury Vapor Bulb instead and have that on for 12 hours a day using a timer - that will give you both basking heat and UVB from one bulb

 

[Ian555]

Can i not just add a basking bulb ??

 

[JoesMum]

Can i not just add a basking bulb ??

You could, but that UVB needs to go as its safety cannot be guaranteed.

It's easier to buy a single MVB which does both jobs than buy a basking bulb AND a separate tube UVB lamp and holder.

 

[Ian555]

Ok ill swap it
So do reckon basking bulb one end with thermostat above hide
put che in centre with a thermostat ??
I do have 2 thermostats
Does the mvb need a ceramic holder i have one and should it have a dish round the mvb ??
Regards
Ian

 

[Ian555]

Which watt do you reckon the mvb should be

 

[JoesMum]

It depends on the enclosure. If you have a viv then you don't want anything too hot. 80W should be plenty.

If you have a big open enclosure, you can use a bigger bulb.

The basking temperature underneath is controlled by how high it is above the substrate.

If you have an enclosed environment to raise humidity there's no way for the surplus to escape so in order to avoid cooking your tort by turning it into an oven you use a lower wattage bulb.

 

[Ian555]

Ok ta

 

[Ian555]

Just remembered she advised the tube due to the height of the viv theres no way it can come off its really well secured
Due to the height this is why advised tube
This all is only temp until i get bk from holls then im building enclosure
So basically i have the tube and a che

So should i add a small basking bulb as i already have the fittings

 

[Ian555]

Just remembered she advised the tube due to the height of the viv theres no way it can come off its really well secured
Due to the height this is why advised tube
This all is only temp until i get bk from holls then im building enclosure
So basically i have the tube and a che

So should i add a small basking bulb as i already have the fittings

 

[JoesMum]

She?

Regardless of what anyone said, you need a basking bulb in there which will be in the range of 60-80 Watts.

Whether that wattage comes from a plain basking bulb (which you must use with an additional tube), or from a Mercury Vapor Bulb on its own is irrelevant. The heat output is the same.

An MVB is fine.

 

[Ian555]

Ok ill go and get a basking bulb after work
So ill end up with a basking bulb 60 to 80 watt

A uv strip thats already in

And che to keep temp up off a thermostat incase temp drops

Your help is great thanks

Regards
Ian

 

[Ian555]

Ok i have a basking bulb set at 100 on a thermostat running for 12 hours with the uv strip

I have the che on a thermostat set at 80

When i turn off the uv and bask bulb che will keep at 80 through the night

What do you think

 

[Ian555]

Think i finally got it
Uv light 12 hrs accompanied with a basking bulb that is running of acthermostat
Che at night time running off a separare thermostat
Tried feeding with some veggie plus supplement turned her nose up
Tried the next day with some calcium plus turned her nose up
Fed her today no supplement she ate the lit fussy git any ideas any one

I got home from work today and moved the che away so i could fit badking bulb
I turned the che lamp out the socket and a spring fell out and have a wire now hanging out the bulb nightmare gotta return it must be faulty looks like the inside of the ceramic holder got stuck in the bulb anyone else had this problem or is it just my luck this stuff aent cheap
Ive been in and out that viv more than the tort keep you buissy dont they but its great

 

[Yvonne G]

You've probably added too much of the supplement. It only takes a very tiny pinch between your finger and thumb, then mix it up thoroughly.

 

[JoesMum]

The basking bulb must not be on a thermostat. Only the night-time CHE.

You need 95-100F directly under the basking bulb for the full 12 hours of daytime.

 

[Ian555]

I lnow this but the viv is not very high so will get too hot its only for a fortnight then the big change is coming
I did only put a very small amount on and did mix it very well try again 2 moz
Everything thats happened is all new to her
Shes been kept cold poor diet rubbish substrate
But she is eating ok without supps and she's out for an hour or so and getting closer to me hopefully all will be ok
Reptile shop 2 moz she can change that socket and che
Thanks

 

[Ian555]

If you dont use thermostat under bask bulb whats stopping it getting too hotbthen ??

 

[Ian555]

I know whatt u mean as the bulb will flash on and off once itvreaches temp
So you just use like a 60 watt or 80 ??

 

[JoesMum]

You control the temperature under the bulb by adjusting its height above the substrate.

You control the temperature in the enclosure overall, and its humidity, by adjusting the ventilation.

If the enclosure is too small it can be very difficult to control overall temperature. However, your tort must bask to digest food so the lamp must stay on so the solution is to get a bigger enclosure.

 

[Ian555]

Yeah i totally inderstand the new enclosure is coming after holls just need to get through the next few weeks
Ill try a lower watt bulb do you reckon a 60 will be ok this will be around