Horsefield always buried

[yuna1971]

It depends if you have a combined bulb 2steps. I think a normal heat bulb can be put at an angle - (maybe I have skipped something here) but I didnt see if you said you had a combined UV/Heat bulb - or just a normal basking bulb.
If you have a combined UV/Heat bulb, Alan is right - it should be pointing vertically downwards. Not at an angle.
You can, as far as I know with a normal halogen, have it at an angle. ((unless for months on end I have been doing this wrong!! ))
But Alan is spot on about the temps and how to keep them at an acceptable level. You could also try having the light go off in the torts "inactive" periiod - you might find this is the afternoon, say around 2-3pm?? This will require a bit of watching to see what time he usually has a nap.

[Alan1]

that's right, the mercury vapour bulbs have to point straight down to prolong their life but ordinary basking bulbs don't have to though maybe best for their eyes if they do, not sure on that but the temperature thing is the same, take the temp at the 'hotspot' where the centre of the beam hits the ground. the more of an angle it's at the wider the area of the hotspot will be

[yuna1971]

Hmmm...yes maybe you are right Al. Do you reckon I should change what i have then. ?? I have had this for months...its not like, on top of the vertical beam of the MR, i have it placed further down the horizontal of the enclosure, but pointing in at an angle.....
Bit concerned...
But...the same type of danger could be said though...if the tortoise stretches whilst basking and points his head upwards towards the MV bulbs, thus catching his eyes on that light too. He could just as easily get eye strain from that and its probably more powerful light, being that it is trying to mimic sunlight... ???

[Alan1]

I've no idea really Rach, it was just a thought. at an angle will be more into their eyes than pointing straight down will be but then the sun is not pointing straight down, apart from at 12 noon so don't know really

[yuna1971]

Hmm....any suggestions..I wouldnt mind keeping the halogen but...
I worry a bit now.....

[Alan1]

if there's no problem so far and you've had it ages then it will be fine I'm sure, it's not UV. The ones on UV Guide were UV lamps and it was the UV that were causing damage not ordinary lights

[yuna1971]

Thanks Al...for bringing it up. Its a point I had'nt thought about really. I think I might change it when I have a revamp of Lil's enclosure again. Perhaps.....
Eye sore...more like brain sore for me !!

[2steps]

I have separate heat and uv bulbs. What you've said makes a lot of sense as he became like this when the weather got hotter. The only way I can raise the bulb more is if it's on an angle, would that be ok? I can angle it so the light points away from the table. Or is it ok to use a thermostat to turn the light on or off to regulate the temp?

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by 2steps

I have separate heat and uv bulbs. What you've said makes a lot of sense as he became like this when the weather got hotter. The only way I can raise the bulb more is if it's on an angle, would that be ok? I can angle it so the light points away from the table. Or is it ok to use a thermostat to turn the light on or off to regulate the temp?

Could you possibly use a lower watt heat bulb? that would be the best option but if not, I think a thermostat is okay on heat bulbs (someone else might know for sure as I am not 100% sure) but definitely not on the heat+UVB combination bulbs.

spot bulbs from Asda and the like do as basking bulbs and you can get different watts, as long as the screw in fittings are the same. they are quite cheap

[2steps]

Can I use one of the energy saving bulbs as I have a few around the house already?