Tortoise lighting

[Andreotti10]

Hi tortoise experts
I’ve had my horsefield tortoise 2 months now, hard to believe how much joy he brings me.
I keep him indoors in a large 8 foot enclosure. (I brought 2 4 foot ones and put them together)

My tortoise seems very happy is incredibly friendly, I just have a question please about lighting.

The pet shop sold me a ceramic heater, which says 80w on the box. It has no problem heating his basking area to 90-95 degrees. And my tortoise enjoys spending time under the lamp.

My question regards the uv lighting. The sold me separately a strip light a T5 it’s called and the bulb that comes with it is
-12 percent uvb
-850 lumens
-24w

Is this ok? I actually have 2 of them because I brought him 2 enclosures. I was just worried about the wattage

I know the uv light is essential for his shell. I just want to give him the best life

I would really appreciate any help
James

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Pictures??

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Every different length of tube has a different wattage.
Don't be concerned about that.
I'm just astounded that a pet shop sold you the correct type of UVB light.
That UVB lamp sounds fine.

 

[Andreotti10]

Every different length of tube has a different wattage.
Don't be concerned about that.
I'm just astounded that a pet shop sold you the correct type of UVB light.
That UVB lamp sounds fine.

Thank you so much I just didn’t know if the wattage had to be higher

 

[Andreotti10]

Added a couple of photos of his enclosure.

As I say it was just the wattage of 24w that concerned me on the light tubes, seemed low

Heat wise and temperatures all seem good and he seems very
Happy

Thanks so much

 

[Yvonne G]

I would jury rig up some sort of hanger so you can hang your lights lengthwise instead of side to side. Lengthwise will give the tortoise more UVB coverage.

 

[Andreotti10]

I would jury rig up some sort of hanger so you can hang your lights lengthwise instead of side to side. Lengthwise will give the tortoise more UVB coverage.

Ah thank you I never thought of that. Initially the pet shop told me to have them length wise. I tried to screw them to the side of the enclosure. I quickly realised they were far too low and they were bright bulbs in his eyes. I noticed he always took himself in to the dark corners.
The moment I moved the lights he was like a different tortoise overnight became far more active.