Well my 75w basking bulb burnt out yesterday so I might as well order a mvb. I was going to get the zoomed 100w on amazon. Its around 40 with shipping. Unless anyone has another suggestion on brand or anything. Also are there different models of the bulbs? Like one that's better than another?
Tort not growing.
- Thread starter Turbotort
- Start date
40 is a good price. There aren't different models, just 100w and 160w. 160w is for very large enclosures. My enclosure is 16 sq ft and I use the 100w and it keeps it plenty warm during the day.
I have cheap plant lights ($15.00) from home depot. I dug up some bermuda, plantains, and black medic. I planted all 3 in my enclosures. Oh and some thin fescue too, and spider plants.. The torts are enjoying the ability to naturally graze, mostly on the plantains, but they have not touched the fescue. I keep having to trim it myself. Tge coleus seeds just sprouted as well. So the lights seem to be doing ok.
No. It's a long florescent tube.
I found the same light at lowes. I put testudo mix in about 1/3 of the enclosure with soil. Do you know how close to the plants this light should be?
Still waiting for the mvb in the mail.
Quick update,
I received my 100w MVB in the mail on saturday and it works but too well and its getting too hot in the enclosure. I need a thermostat on a budget.
Is the ZooMed ReptiTemp 500R Thermostat ok?
I need something on a budget.
I received my 100w MVB in the mail on saturday and it works but too well and its getting too hot in the enclosure. I need a thermostat on a budget.
Is the ZooMed ReptiTemp 500R Thermostat ok?
I need something on a budget.
Do you have any other heat sources in the cage that are on at the same time? The only problem with putting the powersun on a thermostat is that it has a 15 minute reset feature so if it goes off, it won't turn back on for 15 minutes. Might not be a big deal though as long as you have other lights on during the day. Or, are you able to raise the light up some more so it is not so close to the substrate? The ReptiTemp works fine, I have two. They are a little challenging when you are trying to dial in the temperature that you want because there is no digital display, but for the money I think they are pretty good.
Whatever you do don't buy coil or loop type bulbs - they damage torts eyes.
I don't think the MVB will work with a thermostat because when they switch off they seem to need a recovery time before they come back on again. At least that's my experience with the brand I use. (Arcadia) I hang mine as clamps have been known to fail and cause fires so to adjust the temp of mine I raise or lower it a necessary. I use a thermostat with my CHE for night temps or when extra heat is needed.
Hmmm yeah I did unplug it once and I was like what the heck did already brake? I read about the cool down time. I suppose I could get more pvc and make the enclosures top taller. That would be a cheap fix. Then just get a cheap timer for both the mvb and che.
only other light source is a t8 tube light above the testudo mix on the right side of the enclosure. It barely gives off any heat.
at night I turn on the che. He goes in his burrow and its in the mid 80s in there but overall temp is still in the 90s at night. No thermostat so.
only other light source is a t8 tube light above the testudo mix on the right side of the enclosure. It barely gives off any heat.
at night I turn on the che. He goes in his burrow and its in the mid 80s in there but overall temp is still in the 90s at night. No thermostat so.
Yeah, I'd say go with the PVC and make the enclosure taller. You could still put the CHE on a thermostat, that way you can keep the night time temp consistent. Although in florida, that probably isn't much of an issue.
haha...well, better than the alternative I suppose.
Why don't you make a taller stand to overhang the enclosure to hang the mvb from
An upright piece of wood (either with feet to stand independently or secured to side of enclosure) with a horizontal bar extending over enclosure with a hook for hanging mvb from - may be easier. Then you can raise/lower it to adjust heat.
The thermostat will keep the CHE regulated at night.
I have a pvc structure above the enclosure so I can move the light around and raise or lower it. Just the legs on the are too short so I want to cut new pieces about 6 inches taller. That should help with the temp some.
Cool. You may find it only has to be raised a couple of inches...just depends. Two inches made a big difference on the temp in my enclosure.
Awesome!
