Will this hurt his eyes?

JaySparks

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I just got a 54 watt ballast with a 39 watt 12% UV light tube from arcadia. The tube is a T5 and it hurts my eyes when I look at it. I was wondering if this will hurt my tortoises eyes the tube is about 13-14 inches from the substrate. Should I get a reflector?
This is the tube I'm using https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007UMYVJ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the relfector they sell
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcadia-AL...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A35GQ233PC6XQT2MP5K8

http://imgur.com/a/1YElO
 

Markw84

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Don't look into a UVB tube! That's like looking directly into the sun.

13-14" sounds too close for a T5 12.0 tube. Normally recommended in the 18-24" range. The reflector you show will increase the UVB at surface level, so in your case, you do not want it.

It's a bit frustrating that there is so much resistance to getting a good meter, with the cost of a solarmeter 6.5, but one is really needed to ensure your placement is correct. All I can do is guess based upon some very general guidelines and readings I can take of mine, but so much will affect it. Height, type of tube, type of hood, color of enclosure, age of tube.
 
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Tom

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I just got a 54 watt ballast with a 39 watt 12% UV light tube from arcadia. The tube is a T5 and it hurts my eyes when I look at it. I was wondering if this will hurt my tortoises eyes the tube is about 13-14 inches from the substrate. Should I get a reflector?
This is the tube I'm using https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007UMYVJ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the relfector they sell
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcadia-AL...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A35GQ233PC6XQT2MP5K8

http://imgur.com/a/1YElO

I'm not an electrician, but shouldn't you have a 39 watt ballast for a 39 watt bulb?

I buy the correct fixture and ballast with my HO bulbs, so this is not something I've had to deal with.

I also have Arcadia 12% HO bulbs, and I wouldn't mount them any closer than 18". Mine are mounted at 20-22" and I get UV readings of 6-7, which is very high. Similar to mid day summer sun. I only run the bulbs mid day for 3-4 hours on a timer. At 13-14", I think your UV levels will be too high. As Mark pointed out, the only way to know is to put a meter under it and check.
 

JaySparks

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I'm not an electrician, but shouldn't you have a 39 watt ballast for a 39 watt bulb?

I buy the correct fixture and ballast with my HO bulbs, so this is not something I've had to deal with.

I also have Arcadia 12% HO bulbs, and I wouldn't mount them any closer than 18". Mine are mounted at 20-22" and I get UV readings of 6-7, which is very high. Similar to mid day summer sun. I only run the bulbs mid day for 3-4 hours on a timer. At 13-14", I think your UV levels will be too high. As Mark pointed out, the only way to know is to put a meter under it and check.

I will put the tube further away. Do you think I'll need a reflector once I put the light at 20 inches? I have noticed that my tortoise is far more active with the light on.
 

Tom

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I will put the tube further away. Do you think I'll need a reflector once I put the light at 20 inches? I have noticed that my tortoise is far more active with the light on.
I prefer to run reflectors on mine, but it isn't "necessary". I paid good money for those bulbs and the reflector makes them more effective, so I get the most for my money.

Again, all of this is just educated guessing without a meter.
 
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