Questions about lighting...

[teq1]

So I have 4 egyptian torts, 2 are about 1-1/2 years old and the other two are 2 and about 3 months old (one of which I got from Danny ). I'm currently using a Reptisun UVB 10.0 bulb and a small flood bulb for heat. I've been using this since I got the first set of torts and I replace the UVB bulb every year. Do you guys think using these is okay?

I know about the Mega Ray and how it's one of the best out there. And I am thinking about getting it. The only problem I have is deciding whether I should get an EB or SB. Here's the situation. I have two cats that for some reason get really crazy, especially at night. They climb and run everywhere, including my tort's table (it's enclosed by fence material so no worries for the egyptians ) I worry that if I get the SB, all the movement caused by my cats will definitely cause the bulb to break. Has anyone used the EB? How long do these last?

Also, I have a bit more time now that I'm working only part time. I was thinking of taking them all outside to get some natural sun. How much time would be enough for them? And how many times a week would be sufficient? Would I still have to provide some sort of UVB bulb even if they do get natural sun? I have to also consider that here where I live, (deep south texas) it is humid ALL the time. I hope the high humidity doesn't affect them even though time outside may only be for a short period of time. Sorry for all the questions!! I'm just trying to get informed and do the best I can for my 4 babies Help me out tort experts! Any suggestions or comments are definitely welcome

 

[tortoisenerd]

A 10.0 needs to be replaced every 6 months, not year (MVBs are recommended to be replaced yearly), and really isn't that good at all. Much better off with a Mega Ray! The math I worked out for one MVB replaced yearly with one fixture was actually cheaper than a tube replaced every 6 months with a CHE and basking bulb and three fixtures. Plus lower energy bills and much better for the tort.

I'd go for the internal balance because its much less worrisome, but, haven't used the external balance. If you worry about the bulb being bumped, I'd build a wire type cage around the entire fixture. Or, attach a rod or something so the fixture doesn't swing, or get a clamp type so you clamp it to a lamp stand, which is weighted down by the enclosure (like the large ZooMed one). Mega Ray is on back order right now, and my other first line bulb, T-Rex, isn't currently available (don't get the one without "active" in the title that is cheaper, as its low output). See some reference data here comparing tube vs. MVB: http://www.uvguide.co.uk I say reference because they haven't tested anything in awhile, but that gives you a general idea of the order of magnitude of UVB output of tube vs. MVB.

You can avoid a UVB bulb altogether (just us a house light bulb for light & heat, and if night heat is needed, a ceramic heat emitter or black light bulb) if you can get them out for sun most days. I'd say for at least an hour most days of the week, but I've heard as little as 10 minutes a few days a week. I would never put a tort out without a hide, so more time is necessary to ensure part of the time they are actually basking. In Texas I imagine your temps are good to go outside much of the year? If its below 70/75 F outside, just keep them in. If its more than a week inside (after regular outside time), then you'd need UVB. You could have a MVB just for a few weeks a year if you expect to have some times when the torts can't go out. Some would use D3 when the tort is indoors in that sort of scenario when the tort is mostly outdoors but sometimes indoors. I wouldn't, especially for a hatchling (pure calcium daily, outdoor time when available, and a UVB bulb if needed).

I don't expect the humidity to be an issue, although I'm not familiar with Egyptians. If anything, it could be good (pyramiding prevention). Just make sure the temps are good. If its really really hot (above 95/100), then you may have to take measures to cool them, like misting, mud hole, burrow, and shade. Once they are older you planning to have them mostly outside? The 1.5 year olds are probably about the right size that a safe (dug down fence and wire over the top, with hides and water, and chemical free landscaping) outdoor enclosure is a good idea for their full time home, with an indoor home if you'd feel more comfortable for that for nights, or just when the weather is bad/cold. Something to consider, especially since it sounds like you have the yard and weather for it!

 

[teq1]

Luckily when I went to petco a few months back, they were getting rid of all their reptisun bulbs for super cheap and I stocked up. I'll make sure to change those more frequently

Here is a link to the picture of their current enclosure. http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/teq1_/P1010812.jpg

It's different now as I've made some changes. The diagonal thing on the right is a cardboard that's not there anymore. The "box" on the left with the lid is now way smaller (less than half the size) which leaves more room for roaming. There's sphagnum moss in there for when they want a cool but moist hide out. Everything else I rearranged. And I also added more hides. But as you can see, it does have the fence type material to protect them from my crazy cats. That "fence" was a temporary measure, because that was all the fence material I had. But now that I'm employed again (hooray!), I'm able to make better changes for it. What I wanted to do was make a fence that covers the enclosure that leaves it looking like a big box. This way, I could clamp the lamp to the side and the lamp will be located inside the cage where the cats won't hit it, unlike it is now. Not too sure the cats won't stick their paws in there and hit it though.

And yes, temps here in Texas are always good for them to be outside. Only thing is it's super humid all the time. It is extremely humid where I live. And temps right now are starting to get cooler and will get cold during the next few months. After that, it's perfect temps for them (usually high 80s to 100, depends on what mother nature feels like giving us that day ).

I was thinking of building them a secure outdoor enclosure, like simple table, with the basic hides, shade, etc that is also covered with fence material. This way I can leave them outside at least an hour a day now that I have time. If I do this, would I still need a uvb bulb? Cold weather and rainy days are approaching so I could probably just use the mega ray or something during those bad times when I can't take them out.

And as for SB and EB mega rays, I just wonder which lasts longer. Because with my cats and all, I worry they might cause it to break really quickly. Maybe the EB can work since I can just replace the light bulb, that's of course depending on how long the EB box works. Any comments, reviews, suggestions on these anyone?

Oh, and I actually don't have TOO much space outside. And being that I'm living with the parents, I don't want to turn their whole back yard into tortoise turf . They already deal with my crazyness for torts which I think is enough

I'm scared about ants and flies and other animals that might possibly cause them harm if I left them outside the whole day though. Say for example flies getting on their food. Flies are a big problem here at times. South texas is bad people! Why do I even live here?!

 

[tortoisenerd]

Flies and ants would occur in the wild too, but, hopefully if your torts were living outside, they would mostly be grazing, not having a plate of food out to attract bugs. Even greens and such shouldn't attract flies and ants. There are non chemical remedies to try, but it would have to be very bad to be bad for the tort. For other larger animals, you need to have a secure enclosure, which likely means a hardware cloth or mesh or wire over the top in addition to the dug down fence. Sometimes its necessary to bring torts in for night too, as raccoons and such are more of a danger then. Any outdoor time is better than none, so you may just want to work on increasing that over time. An outside table type enclosure is fine, and is great because you can move it around. You may even find a tub large enough, especially if you consider stock tanks (plastic or metal horse trough type containers you get at feed stores). An hour a day of sun is sufficient enough to not need a UVB bulb. Maybe try posting a new thread asking for thoughts on the EB. Don't know of anyone who uses one. I did read that they don't put off much heat, but last longer and have slightly higher output. Things to consider. Form what I know, I wouldn't say that the EB would be less likely to break. You just need to take the proper precautions such as putting a hardware cloth (a mesh with large grids so UVB gets through) box around it so it can't be knocked over by a cat. http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/habitat/548635-mega-ray-externally-ballasted-self.html