What lights? I'm so confused

[Scatternobrains]

hi,

After unexpectedly acquiring a little horse field tortoise (no idea how old, but 2.5 inches wide and 3inches long) I have just ordered a 5' x 3' version of this. It should be delivered Wednesday.



My hope is that he will spend as much time as possible in the garden when the weather is warmer and also time roaming the house with us.

However, now I am confused as to what else I need to order to get his home ready and maintain the right conditions ASAP and where to order from There are so many light options, dishes, rocks, plants and different things to put in it, I am just going round in circles. I don't want to spends loads to get top notch stuff, but I want to spend enough to make sure he is very well looked after.

Any advice will be very grateful received

Kerry

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Kerry:

If the tortoise spends most of the time outside, then you probably won't need an indoor UVB light, but you will need a light for heat. The tortoise has to be kept warm. If they can't get their core temperature up past 80F degrees, then they can't digest their food and they won't eat. If you want a UVB light, this is the kind I use:

Mercury Vapor Bulb
https://www.arizonatortoisecompound.com/ZooMed-Powersun-Mercury-Vapor-Bulb.html

Or, you can buy a CHE (ceramic heat emitter). It's heat without light:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/60watt-heat-emitter

 

[lynnedit]

Kerry, looks like you are in the UK.

There are several good sites for ordering supplies, including Amazon UK.
You could start with a brooder/shop light (ceramic base) with an MVB 100w. You might need a second smaller light partway down to brighten the area up.
Or, use a regular 100w basking light for heat, since your tortoise will get outside for several months. This would be your quickest option just to keep the tortoise warm.

Also, I see some UK keepers use a basking light (no UV) for light/heat, and then a tube light the length of the enclosure for UV).

This site is for a hatchling, but a lot of it pertains to all tortoises. Scroll down to the lighting section to see options #1 and #2.
http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/164.asp

This is a brooder light fixture for either the MVB (option 1) or the basking light w/o UV (option 2):

 

[Tom]

Here is a care sheet with my recommendations: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-80698.html