UVB light ?
- Thread starter John C.
- Start date
Those type of coil bulbs cause eye damage. Please remove it asap. The uv is strongest directly under it. Try a powersun. You get heat and uv in one bulb. A 20 gallon tank is not big enough for your baby. He needs room to be able to cool down and heat up as needed. I dont know if you would be able to get this in a 20 g tank.
I agree with all of the above. A 20 is much too small both because there is not enough walking room and because there is not enough distance to make a proper thermal gradient. 55 gallon tubs can be found at any hardware store for about $15-20. There is no reason to keep your baby in something so small.
If you need indoor UV get the long florescent tube type, or get the aforementioned Mercury Vapor Bulb (Powersun). This time of year it should be easy to get real sunshine. I would never use that coil type one.
If you need indoor UV get the long florescent tube type, or get the aforementioned Mercury Vapor Bulb (Powersun). This time of year it should be easy to get real sunshine. I would never use that coil type one.
John C.
New Member
20 gallon tank is just fine.. It's 85 at the hottest point and 80 all around. He's 3in and prolly will only get another 1in and a half over the course of 6 months. It's not like I would keep in it once he could barley even walk. I find his tank more fitting then some bin or tub, that would be more like looking at prison walls. I live in michigan, so like today when it's 71, with a cool breeze it would be impossible to take my hatchling outdoors, and keep at a temp that's comfortable to him/her.
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2013
- Messages
- 344
Hi John,
I know it's counter intuitive, but some (not all) torts are actually bothered by translucent walls. None seem to mind opaque. As for size, assuming the best case scenario and your 20 gallon is low and long, that still gives you just 2.5 sq ft. of floor space. For reference, I have a slightly larger 4" tort in a 19.6 sq ft enclosure and he uses it all. I suspect your high temp is not high enough to reach prime operating temperature and in a small space, it's really hard to set up a temp gradient.
Back to your original question, I think the best UV and heat set up that I have used is a CHE in the center on a tthermostat, with a MVB on a timer at one end. I've not been able to make this work with less than a 50 gallon tub though.
Cheers!
I know it's counter intuitive, but some (not all) torts are actually bothered by translucent walls. None seem to mind opaque. As for size, assuming the best case scenario and your 20 gallon is low and long, that still gives you just 2.5 sq ft. of floor space. For reference, I have a slightly larger 4" tort in a 19.6 sq ft enclosure and he uses it all. I suspect your high temp is not high enough to reach prime operating temperature and in a small space, it's really hard to set up a temp gradient.
Back to your original question, I think the best UV and heat set up that I have used is a CHE in the center on a tthermostat, with a MVB on a timer at one end. I've not been able to make this work with less than a 50 gallon tub though.
Cheers!
Do you have a basking area in the 90-95 range? This is needed to digest food. Also is there a water dish big enough for the tort to soak in? I live in ohio and have an 11 month sulcata so I understand weather restraints. I'm sorry but I just don't see how 20 g is big enough to promote healthy growth. I could be wrong but even at hatchling size it goes against every advice I have read here on the forum while raising mine. Also I have seen so many post of torts harmed by that coil bulb. Please read this care sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
Just trying to help your tort.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
Just trying to help your tort.
