UVA

[jipsybish]

i have a large sulcata with a fully WELL winterized 10x12' house..
Til currently, (1st winter in THIS house) ive always used 100 watt mercury vapor combo bulb.. temps read spot on ect, until in a fb tort group i saw conversations about no UVB output (enough/even temps -whatever have you) & see everyone pushing these zone 3 T5 HO 10.0 UVB tube bulbs... ok.. cool.. so i research online (not teck savvy) and find a T5 dbl fixure w/ a slim design, to hang from ceiling, w/ fittings for 2-T5 bulbs.. ok.. i can find the UVB bulb absolutely no problem; but what i CANT find is the UVA (basking bulb) bulb, or even an appropriate halogen flood to fit in the dbl fixture with it... ALL i can be told to do or even FIND are regular UVA basking bulbs/domes, & tube UVB T5 bulbs.. HOWEVER, i dont want cord after cord, from 5 or 6 different hanging light fixtures, plugged in/hanging down all over the place!.. w/ wifi/camera/fan/radio/heater ect i HAVE ENOUGH CRAP PLUGGED IN! Dont anyone out there make a UVA basking bulb to nicely fit into the dbl T5 for a clean/organized enclosure???? PLEASE HELP SOMEONE!?? ITS BEEN WEEKS OF SEARCHING/ASKING, YET NOONE CAN OR EVEN DOES RESPOND/ANSWER THIS QUESTION/HELP ME ANYPLACE

 

[jaizei]

The T5HO puts off UVA; do you mean IR-A when talking basking bulbs? There are not any basking bulbs (for heat) that fit into a T5 fixture

 

[jipsybish]

The T5HO puts off UVA; do you mean IR-A when talking basking bulbs? There are not any basking bulbs (for heat) that fit into a T5 fixture

Ok.. there are NOT any zone 3 basking bulbs that fit a T5.. THATS my question.. well that stinks!.. i just dont want to create this giant mess of lighting/w/ cords hanging down all over ect.. i want to have half (5x6') of his enclosure w/ lights, & other half not incase he wants out of them.. but how does someone then create such a LARGE area of lighting, then, in an organized/non fire hazard type way??

 

[jipsybish]

Because ive ALWAYSSSS used combo bulbs, such as this one.. but my tort groups are now all protesting them... "dont give off enough/proper UV" "Doesnt distribute heat in n even area or have consistant temps" ect. Ect.ect... my temp gun, shows temp spot on, but UVB i can only trust the box.. idk.. but i was just getting ready to get a 2nd one of these, when everyones carrying on how horrible that they are (i just want the best care for him) so want to install/buy the best, without an unorganized ball of hanging cords

 

[jaizei]

Ok.. there are NOT any zone 3 basking bulbs that fit a T5.. THATS my question.. well that stinks!.. i just dont want to create this giant mess of lighting/w/ cords hanging down all over ect.. i want to have half (5x6') of his enclosure w/ lights, & other half not incase he wants out of them.. but how does someone then create such a LARGE area of lighting, then, in an organized/non fire hazard type way??

Zone 3 refers to UVB (more correctly UVI, which measures UVB), so the T5 should take care of that, as long as its a good bulb. For general lighting, mounting bright LEDs to ceiling or hanging up high is fine, and imo probably better since the light will be more diffuse and not too close to the animal. The T5HO needs to be closer, at the distances recommended if you don't have a UVI meter. For a larger tortoise, which it sounds like it is since youre using a 10x12 house, you should look into other methods of heating.

 

[jipsybish]

I guess i dont really have a decent photo where im back far enough (only half his house in pic) so, i guess, basically that entire visible area in this pic.. that all needs lighting (bed comes out in a.m &goes in p.m) ..he basks there most morning/late afternoon.. but now winters here, & not going outside to roam daily, lighting needs upgraded to more!.. what would you suggest to keep it clean line/minimal but proper UVA/UVB

Zone 3 refers to UVB (more correctly UVI, which measures UVB), so the T5 should take care of that, as long as its a good bulb. For general lighting, mounting bright LEDs to ceiling or hanging up high is fine, and imo probably better since the light will be more diffuse and not too close to the animal. The T5HO needs to be closer, at the distances recommended if you don't have a UVI meter. For a larger tortoise, which it sounds like it is since youre using a 10x12 house, you should look into other methods of heating.

Oh heating isnt the issue at all.. im set on heating.. he just needs the proper lighting for food digestion/ect.. he was outside all summer roaming his yard, & would come in his house at sunset (when temps dropped below 70) well just within past 3 wks hes now locked up inside full time (much too cold outside in WI) well- SINCE no longer going outside daily, he started getting diarrhea from the near instant change.. if you read initial post, ive always used combo bulbs, but tort groups are now very against them for above reasons so i essentially need to properly light a 5x6' area for him to bask in (how he regulates his body temp-w/lights & to help aid in digestion) i just dont want cords and lights hanging messily from all over the place.. minimal.. clean
Ya know?? I do know he cannot have LED lights in his personal lighting.. i have lights in ceiling built in.. idk what your saying about LEDs

Zone 3 refers to UVB (more correctly UVI, which measures UVB), so the T5 should take care of that, as long as its a good bulb. For general lighting, mounting bright LEDs to ceiling or hanging up high is fine, and imo probably better since the light will be more diffuse and not too close to the animal. The T5HO needs to be closer, at the distances recommended if you don't have a UVI meter. For a larger tortoise, which it sounds like it is since youre using a 10x12 house, you should look into other methods of heating.

All moderators in tort groups are telling me to hang a few diff halogen flood dome fixtures for basking/ heat then beside them hang a T5 10.0 UVB.. wasnt wanting so many diff cords/fixtures

Im ALSO looking for a battery operated temp alarm if anyone knows of such a thing?? His heat is a electric w/ built in set/thermostat.. but if power goes out in winter storm while im sleeping; but is back on by time i wake up, his heater wont turn back on after being **** off.. i need some kind of device not reliant on wifi/electric to ALARM me w/alarm NOICE when temp out there drops below 70°

So need nice size area of proper lighting/temp alarm of some sort.. recommendations PLEASE

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I guess i dont really have a decent photo where im back far enough (only half his house in pic) so, i guess, basically that entire visible area in this pic.. that all needs lighting (bed comes out in a.m &goes in p.m) ..he basks there most morning/late afternoon.. but now winters here, & not going outside to roam daily, lighting needs upgraded to more!.. what would you suggest to keep it clean line/minimal but proper UVA/UVB

Oh heating isnt the issue at all.. im set on heating.. he just needs the proper lighting for food digestion/ect.. he was outside all summer roaming his yard, & would come in his house at sunset (when temps dropped below 70) well just within past 3 wks hes now locked up inside full time (much too cold outside in WI) well- SINCE no longer going outside daily, he started getting diarrhea from the near instant change.. if you read initial post, ive always used combo bulbs, but tort groups are now very against them for above reasons so i essentially need to properly light a 5x6' area for him to bask in (how he regulates his body temp-w/lights & to help aid in digestion) i just dont want cords and lights hanging messily from all over the place.. minimal.. clean
Ya know?? I do know he cannot have LED lights in his personal lighting.. i have lights in ceiling built in.. idk what your saying about LEDs

All moderators in tort groups are telling me to hang a few diff halogen flood dome fixtures for basking/ heat then beside them hang a T5 10.0 UVB.. wasnt wanting so many diff cords/fixtures

Im ALSO looking for a battery operated temp alarm if anyone knows of such a thing?? His heat is a electric w/ built in set/thermostat.. but if power goes out in winter storm while im sleeping; but is back on by time i wake up, his heater wont turn back on after being **** off.. i need some kind of device not reliant on wifi/electric to ALARM me w/alarm NOICE when temp out there drops below 70°

So need nice size area of proper lighting/temp alarm of some sort.. recommendations PLEASE

1. If you want "neat" fixture for UVB and heat lamps - look at Arcadia ThermalZoo Pro, for example. You'll still have separate cables and plugs for each lamp but it's more manageable.
2. Look at weather stations with external sensors if you want temperature alarms not dependent on wifi and electricity. E.g. something from AcuRite. SensorPush sensors connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and if your tortoise enclosure is close enough you can get alarms on your smartphone (keep it charged, though).
3. You mentioned in other thread that your sulcata is 140lbs. Heat lamps alone aren't very efficient for rising his core body temperature. However, if you keep his whole shed at 80F and optionally supply a heat mat (like Kane mats), this could work.

 

[wellington]

You should get a oil filled portable radiator heater for heat on a thermostat. A pig blanket with RHP above it for the basking area and the T5 for uvb.
That's all you need. If more light is needed, then add regular bulbs or LEDS.
Halogen and mercury should not be used at all. They both are bad for the shell and causes pyramiding.
Unfortunately more than just two cords/fixtures are needed when living in a cold winter state.

 

[jipsybish]

1. If you want "neat" fixture for UVB and heat lamps - look at Arcadia ThermalZoo Pro, for example. You'll still have separate cables and plugs for each lamp but it's more manageable.
2. Look at weather stations with external sensors if you want temperature alarms not dependent on wifi and electricity. E.g. something from AcuRite. SensorPush sensors connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and if your tortoise enclosure is close enough you can get alarms on your smartphone (keep it charged, though).
3. You mentioned in other thread that your sulcata is 140lbs. Heat lamps alone aren't very efficient for rising his core body temperature. However, if you keep his whole shed at 80F and optionally supply a heat mat (like Kane mats), this could work.

Oh yes.. he most definitely has a heater that my electrician installed professionally requiring it being on its own circuit.. you set the temp, and it turns on/off as needed to maintain that temp.. im just trying to get the one half lit up w/ enough/appropriately lighting.. was going to invest in a 4' dbl T5 to house both required bulbs, but apparently only the uvb are made to fit it.. so will have to still probably do the dbl fixture, housed w/ 2 uvb and then separate heat bulbs anyway, creating that multitude of cords

 

[jipsybish]

Oh yes.. he most definitely has a heater that my electrician installed professionally requiring it being on its own circuit.. you set the temp, and it turns on/off as needed to maintain that temp.. im just trying to get the one half lit up w/ enough/appropriately lighting.. was going to invest in a 4' dbl T5 to house both required bulbs, but apparently only the uvb are made to fit it.. so will have to still probably do the dbl fixture, housed w/ 2 uvb and then separate heat bulbs anyway, creating that multitude of cords

Also.. looking for battery powered temp alarm.. im right next to his house, but i sleep hard, and want battery, not wifi alarm, incase wifi/power were to go out in middle of night, back on by morning, which would trip his heater, shutting/ keeping it turned off, and temps much to cold, & me never even knowing, until going out in morning to wake him up

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Oh yes.. he most definitely has a heater that my electrician installed professionally requiring it being on its own circuit.. you set the temp, and it turns on/off as needed to maintain that temp.. im just trying to get the one half lit up w/ enough/appropriately lighting.. was going to invest in a 4' dbl T5 to house both required bulbs, but apparently only the uvb are made to fit it.. so will have to still probably do the dbl fixture, housed w/ 2 uvb and then separate heat bulbs anyway, creating that multitude of cords

ThermalZoo Pro has two places for T5 lamps (or JungleDawn LED bars) and two sockets for E27 lamps - e.g. incandescent flood heat lamps.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Also.. looking for battery powered temp alarm.. im right next to his house, but i sleep hard, and want battery, not wifi alarm, incase wifi/power were to go out in middle of night, back on by morning, which would trip his heater, shutting/ keeping it turned off, and temps much to cold, & me never even knowing, until going out in morning to wake him up

Weather stations and sensors are battery operated and don't use house WiFi for communication.

 

[jipsybish]

Weather stations and sensors are battery operated and don't use house WiFi for communication.

Im not internet/tech savvy AT ALL.. could you possibly share a link to something your trying to describe??.. something that sets outside, in my tortoises house, in a complete separate building, and a device that sets inside MY house, that will sound an alarm, by battery, if his house temp out there drops due to a power outage???

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Im not internet/tech savvy AT ALL.. could you possibly share a link to something your trying to describe??.. something that sets outside, in my tortoises house, in a complete separate building, and a device that sets inside MY house, that will sound an alarm, by battery, if his house temp out there drops due to a power outage???

No problem. Here is one for example: https://www.acurite.com/collections...olor-weather-station-with-programmable-alarms