What percentage of UVB is best for a hermanns?

[JaySparks]

I noticed that UVB tubes have different percentages on the boxes. Some start at 7 percent and I've seen up to 14 percent. I'm currently using a 12 percent tube from arcadia is this okay or way to much for a Herman's tortoise?

This is the tube I'm using.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007UMYVJ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Tom]

Depends on what the mounting height is. How high up is your bulb mounted?

Knowing the mounting height will allow other Arcadia12%HO bulb users to give you a guess, but the only way to know what your bulb is doing in your enclosure is to put a meter under it and check it. This is the one to get: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html

 

[JaySparks]

Depends on what the mounting height is. How high up is your bulb mounted?

Knowing the mounting height will allow other Arcadia12%HO bulb users to give you a guess, but the only way to know what your bulb is doing in your enclosure is to put a meter under it and check it. This is the one to get: https://www.solarmeter.com/model65.html

I'm currently looking into buying one of these. I'm saving up for one because student life lol. My bulb is mounter 16 inches from shell height. with no reflector. I only turn it on for 1 hour a day because he has an MVB which I'll get rid of once I get the solarmeter.

 

[Markw84]

I'm currently looking into buying one of these. I'm saving up for one because student life lol. My bulb is mounter 16 inches from shell height. with no reflector. I only turn it on for 1 hour a day because he has an MVB which I'll get rid of once I get the solarmeter.

Use one or the other. DO NOT use both. Without a Solarmeter, there would be no way to even guess to guide you if you tried to use both in the same enclosure.

With a 12.0 tube, you will probably be good at 16" without a hood. Just be aware so you do not look directly into the bulb while you are reaching into the enclosure. A hood is not just for increasing the amount of UVB directed downwards, but also for keep UVB from shining up into your eyes while looking into the enclosure. I would avoid looking directly into a UVB bulb.

 

[JaySparks]

Use one or the other. DO NOT use both. Without a Solarmeter, there would be no way to even guess to guide you if you tried to use both in the same enclosure.

With a 12.0 tube, you will probably be good at 16" without a hood. Just be aware so you do not look directly into the bulb while you are reaching into the enclosure. A hood is not just for increasing the amount of UVB directed downwards, but also for keep UVB from shining up into your eyes while looking into the enclosure. I would avoid looking directly into a UVB bulb.

thank you. BTW once i get my solarmeter what reading should it say for optimum uvb. i think they go from 1-7

 

[Markw84]

thank you. BTW once i get my solarmeter what reading should it say for optimum uvb. i think they go from 1-7

I like a UVI of 4 in the basking area and gradient from there.

 

[Tom]

thank you. BTW once i get my solarmeter what reading should it say for optimum uvb. i think they go from 1-7

This is a very debatable subject. No one knows how this works. Is a UVI reading of 1 for 10 hours enough? Or what about a UVI reading of 10 for one hour? How about looking at the UVI readings in the native range of your given species? But what about the habits of a "forest" species which utilizes shade all day? What about a species from tropical Africa that avoids the burning mid day sun, but is now being housed in a cooler temperate climate, so they sit in the sun all day trying to get warm?

For my tortoises, I go with either a UVI of 2-4 all day, or a UVI of 6-7 for 3-4 hours mid day only. As @Markw84 frequently mentions, it is important the they have shaded areas to escape from the UV and bight lights when they want to.

 

[JaySparks]

This is a very debatable subject. No one knows how this works. Is a UVI reading of 1 for 10 hours enough? Or what about a UVI reading of 10 for one hour? How about looking at the UVI readings in the native range of your given species? But what about the habits of a "forest" species which utilizes shade all day? What about a species from tropical Africa that avoids the burning mid day sun, but is now being housed in a cooler temperate climate, so they sit in the sun all day trying to get warm?

For my tortoises, I go with either a UVI of 2-4 all day, or a UVI of 6-7 for 3-4 hours mid day only. As @Markw84 frequently mentions, it is important the they have shaded areas to escape from the UV and bight lights when they want to.

I have plenty of plants in my enclosure and he has a slate hide too. I'll be adding some cork in the future but I'm yet to find a suitable piece for him. I noticed that you use humid hides in your close chambers. I was thinking if using a tupper ware container with cococoir inside will be good for him. I've noticed that the new growth on my hermmans shell is smooth. When I got him he had some pyramiding he was 10 months old at the time he is now 1 year 1 month old.