UVB light

[Natalie44]

Hello all!

I was wondering- should i be measuring the distance of the uvb lights from the shell of the tortoise or from the substrate?

Natalie x

 

[jaizei]

Measuring from substrate is usually fine. With larger animals, you may need to account for the height of their heads/eyes.

 

[Tom]

Hello all!

I was wondering- should i be measuring the distance of the uvb lights from the shell of the tortoise or from the substrate?

Natalie x

I agree with Jaizei, but remember that the suggested mmouting height is just that. A "suggestion". Only a meter can tell you how much UV is being produced by YOUR bulb in YOUR enclosure.

I know the meter is expensive, but so is replacing bulbs every 6 months that don't need to be replaced. I'm finding that when used in a sensible way and left on for a few hours mid day, my bulbs are lasting several years and still making strong UV. The meter will pay for itself in short order when you don't needlessly buy new bulbs. Also, in your climate, indoor UV is important for your tortoise's health, and having the correct amount, vs. too little or too much, will save you money on expensive vet bills. Without a meter, we are all just guessing.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I agree with both of these members. And what Tom says is important.
The money you can save in not replacing your uvb lights (simply adjust the height) will quickly pay the two hundred bucks you'll spend on the 6.5 uvb meter

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I agree with both of these members. And what Tom says is important.
The money you can save in not replacing your uvb lights (simply adjust the height) will quickly pay the two hundred bucks you'll spend on the 6.5 uvb meter

Unfortunately it's 300 bucks in UK/EU. And Arcadia tubes cost around 50-60 (without the fixture). So with a single tortoise it's less about money savings but more about confidence that UVB source is installed correctly.

 

[Natalie44]

Measuring from substrate is usually fine. With larger animals, you may need to account for the height of their heads/eyes.

Okay great, thank you! X

I agree with Jaizei, but remember that the suggested mmouting height is just that. A "suggestion". Only a meter can tell you how much UV is being produced by YOUR bulb in YOUR enclosure.

I know the meter is expensive, but so is replacing bulbs every 6 months that don't need to be replaced. I'm finding that when used in a sensible way and left on for a few hours mid day, my bulbs are lasting several years and still making strong UV. The meter will pay for itself in short order when you don't needlessly buy new bulbs. Also, in your climate, indoor UV is important for your tortoise's health, and having the correct amount, vs. too little or too much, will save you money on expensive vet bills. Without a meter, we are all just guessing.

thank you for taking the time to reply. I want to get a uv meter but like a few other members have said- it’s quite expensive. I’ll just have to guess up until I can afford it. Will only take me a couple of months to save anyway, so I’m sure my tort will be fine until then

 

[Natalie44]

Is this the right one?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Is this the right one?
View attachment 371729

Yes, this is it!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Make sure it's the 6.5

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I did a little project a few years ago that might ba helpful

Real world UVB test done

I've conducted a UVB test and the results have surprised me. I've included photos of what I tested and tested with... A very popular T5 HO (5.0) florescent fixture and a SOLARMETER 6.5R. When I first set up my Chameleons enclosures, the new lights put out a reading of almost 8.0 at the top...

tortoiseforum.org