Sulcata Lighting Questions

[Primasilva]

I just bought a pair of baby sullies at a reptile show this weekend. I live in Chicago, IL, so they'll be stuck indoors for a few more months. That being said, what are your suggestions for lighting?

For my bearded dragon, I had an Arcadia 12% UVB T5 bulb that covered 3/4 of her tank. Is that a decent setup for sulcatas? Or should I give them one that covers 100% of their enclosure?

They also have a ceramic heat lamp & UTH keeping them at 110 on the warm side and 80 on the cool side.

 

[jaizei]

I wouldn't want the uvb coverage to be 100% of their enclosure, I think it's necessary to be able to 'get out of it'.

 

[tortdad]

im going to go find a link to the care sheet for you, BRB

 

[tortdad]

start with this

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[Primasilva]

Thanks! The care sheet at the link below didn't really answer my question >.< Right now, I have an MVB, but I've heard that they can be too harsh, so that's why I was thinking about getting another Arcadia.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[Primasilva]

Ooh, random idea - maybe I'll get the Arcadia and cover half the enclosure and grow a few (short) plants or start some seedlings on top!

 

[Tom]

I use:
1. CHE(s) set on a thermostat to maintain ambient day and night.
2. 65 watt regular incandescent flood bulbs set on a timer for 12 hours, and set the height for a 95-100 basking spot under them.
3. A regular 6500K florescent tube for light set on the same timer as the basking bulb.
4. 12% Arcadia HO bulbs set to the right height for the UV amount I want the tortoises to receive (Using a Solarmeter 6.5 to check this). I put this over the middle of the enclosure and set it on a timer to come on for only about 4 hours mid day. The tortoises have hides to use to get out of the UV light if they want to.

You didn't ask, but pairs are not a good idea. They will do better if housed separately in their own enclosures.

You got the care sheet, but these might help too:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Primasilva]

Thanks, Tom! What is the exact UV amount to shoot for?

I was thinking about splitting the two babies after reading some posts and because I'm worried that one hasn't really been eating, so now I definitely will.