no uv bulb..how much sun?

[XXAPAINKILLERXX]

got 2 lil shellshockers .. but i messed up by buying those bad bulbs.. CFL :/.. but i live in CA.. how much sun do they need a day or week? mins? hours? and should i soak them everyday or other day?

 

[Tom]

I have never seen any reptile, tortoises included, get MBD with just 20-30 minutes of sun twice a week. I suggest that as an absolute bare bones minimum, but it is not ideal. For hatchlings, I like no more than an hour or two every day. I extend that to 3-4 hours a day by the time they are 6 months old and by around a year, I leave them out all day everyday, weather permitting. I like them to sleep inside until they are at least 8-10". This way has worked very well for me, and I feel it balances all the factors and prepares them for outdoor Southern CA living. Mine all go outside permanently once they are 10-12", but with appropriate heated shelters.

I feel very strongly that babies should be soaked every day. I'll start skipping an occasional day once they get to 4 or 5". By the time they are a year old, I soak around 3-4 times a week. By two years, its once or twice a week. I like to have drinking water always available for all ages.

 

[ascott]

Ditto

 

[XXAPAINKILLERXX]

thanx helps alot