Russian tortoise lighting revamp for winter

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I am in the process of revamping my Russians enclousure for winter and over-wintering and I forsee myself needing more ambient lighting. The LED lights in the 5000K to 6500K color range are hard to come by here, and I was thinking could I use one where the Kelvin color range can be adjusted? I linked the one I could get, couldn't find a fully english website with it though: https://www.multitronic.fi/en/produ...f6NdecZM12AWQtstXYGV-rrXEesjRGSf4dApR3DkF3JUQ

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

It's possible if you use it on middle color temperature setting (when both cold and warm colored diodes are on).

Did you check grow lights? There are bright LED bars and spotlights for standard lamp sockets.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’m guessing you can’t get the white python brand where you are?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I’m guessing you can’t get the white python brand where you are?

Only their CHEs and heat lamps I am afraid.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

It's possible if you use it on middle color temperature setting (when both cold and warm colored diodes are on).

Did you check grow lights? There are bright LED bars and spotlights for standard lamp sockets.

I didn't find any grow lights that was 5000K, they were only 4000K at most. Plus I am worried about the wavelengths of the blue and red light, since I have read most growth lights to be unsuitable for tortoises because of these wavelengths being unsuitable.

Plus, these growth lights are usually more expensive than the bulb I linked.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What about this bulb meant for artists? It has 6500K, but the CRI is quite low and I can't find info on the wavelengths: https://www.airam.fi/en/product/daylight-led-6500k-daylight-led-6500k

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

What about this bulb meant for artists? It has 6500K, but the CRI is quite low and I can't find info on the wavelengths: https://www.airam.fi/en/product/daylight-led-6500k-daylight-led-6500k

This one is an usual LED bulb, as I can tell. CRI near 80 is typical for cold daylight LEDs (Arcadia Jungle Dawn has CRI 85 at 6200K and most high-CRI LEDs are less than 5000K).

Finding spectral chart is not very likely for the household bulbs, yet I doubt there will be any surprises.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

This one is an usual LED bulb, as I can tell. CRI near 80 is typical for cold daylight LEDs (Arcadia Jungle Dawn has CRI 85 at 6200K and most high-CRI LEDs are less than 5000K).

Finding spectral chart is not very likely for the household bulbs, yet I doubt there will be any surprises.

So it is fine to use, not a big risk? I was probably thinking the CRI of UVB tubes.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

So it is fine to use, not a big risk? I was probably thinking the CRI of UVB tubes.

Yes, no risk. However, I would go with more than one such lamp to achieve "daylight" brightness.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Okay, I will see how it spans out. I can of course get multiple of these since they are easy to get. How much of the enclosure you think it should cover in full brightness? What kind of fixture do you recommend (reflector, hood size)?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Okay, I will see how it spans out. I can of course get multiple of these since they are easy to get. How much of the enclosure you think it should cover in full brightness? What kind of fixture do you recommend (reflector, hood size)?

You will get decent brightness when placing 1 lamp over 3-4 sq. ft. (or 1 lamp per 2 sq.ft. to match Arcadia Jungle Dawn brightness) at 18" above surface.

As of reflectors - same thing applies as for CHEs, wide dome should work best, white coated should work too.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Does the whole enclosure need to be lit at 6500K? How much do you think should be lit at this density?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Just thinking, if I need over 10 of those lamps, with individual domes there has to be a better option lol

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Just thinking, if I need over 10 of those lamps, with individual domes there has to be a better option lol

Yes, definitely LED bars, strips and ceiling lights.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Does the whole enclosure need to be lit at 6500K? How much do you think should be lit at this density?

I think, 3/4 or 2/3 will be enough.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Yes, definitely LED bars, strips and ceiling lights.

Well, I will have to keep looking for other options in the 5000K to 6500K range. How would you hang a ceiling light for the tortoise enclosure?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Well, I will have to keep looking for other options in the 5000K to 6500K range. How would you hang a ceiling light for the tortoise enclosure?

For open table you can use PVC pipe or wooden frame.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I found this strip from the same brand of the smart light bulb: https://www.clasohlson.com/fi/Delta...4fxy5OzxCuz2y7zTN0vMz3QsHHwbX550aAr2_EALw_wcB

I couldn't find the info on it in English, but here is what I translated:

About Deltaco SH-CHLS3M LED strip light

• Input voltage: 12 V
• Connection: 4-pin
• Dimmable with application
• Operating time: 25 000 hours
• WiFi: 2.4 GHz, 802.11 b/g/n
• Colour temperature: 3000-6500 K (warm white to cool white)
• Length: 3 m, can be shortened every 10 cm
• Power: 9 W
• Protection: IP20 (for indoor use)
• Voice control with Google Home or Amazon Alexa

Package contents:

• LED strip light SH-CHLS3M
• WiFi module
• Installation accessories
• User manual

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I found this strip from the same brand of the smart light bulb: https://www.clasohlson.com/fi/Deltaco-Smart-LED-valonauha-9-W-SH-CHLS3M,-sisälle,-3-m/p/36-8206?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiOy1BhDCARIsADGvQnDACFVgBComkn1zrGh4A7_4fxy5OzxCuz2y7zTN0vMz3QsHHwbX550aAr2_EALw_wcB

I couldn't find the info on it in English, but here is what I translated:

About Deltaco SH-CHLS3M LED strip light

• Input voltage: 12 V
• Connection: 4-pin
• Dimmable with application
• Operating time: 25 000 hours
• WiFi: 2.4 GHz, 802.11 b/g/n
• Colour temperature: 3000-6500 K (warm white to cool white)
• Length: 3 m, can be shortened every 10 cm
• Power: 9 W
• Protection: IP20 (for indoor use)
• Voice control with Google Home or Amazon Alexa

Package contents:

• LED strip light SH-CHLS3M
• WiFi module
• Installation accessories
• User manual

That one does look good but I’m curious what Alex thinks

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I found this strip from the same brand of the smart light bulb: https://www.clasohlson.com/fi/Delta...4fxy5OzxCuz2y7zTN0vMz3QsHHwbX550aAr2_EALw_wcB

I couldn't find the info on it in English, but here is what I translated:

About Deltaco SH-CHLS3M LED strip light

• Input voltage: 12 V
• Connection: 4-pin
• Dimmable with application
• Operating time: 25 000 hours
• WiFi: 2.4 GHz, 802.11 b/g/n
• Colour temperature: 3000-6500 K (warm white to cool white)
• Length: 3 m, can be shortened every 10 cm
• Power: 9 W
• Protection: IP20 (for indoor use)
• Voice control with Google Home or Amazon Alexa

Package contents:

• LED strip light SH-CHLS3M
• WiFi module
• Installation accessories
• User manual

Consumption of 3W per meter won't make much light, unfortunately. It looks like a decorative light. The specification doesn't mention LED chip type, so it's likely less effective 5050 diodes.

Sorry for bringing Arcadia Jungle Dawn once again, but it's nevertheless a good light source and consumes about 51W for a 1 meter (870mm) model. About half of that wattage per square meter will be enough for illumination (you will need 3 strips like you mentioned).

How large is the enclosure, by the way? Is it in a bright lit room?