Advice on lighting/heating

[Ozric Jonathan]

Hi there. Yes for the T5 Desert+tube you need the correct controller from Arcadia which is designed for the length of tube you want to use. Here is a link to Swells who have the controllers in the various wattages. The longer the tube, the higher the wattage required.

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rept...er-282649.html

The controller only has to bought once and the tubes last a long time and are not expensive.

On this page here the retailer has matched the correct controller with the tube and offers a combined deal:

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rept...es-313865.html

I think we can ignore that this is aimed at people using vivs as the same stuff will do the job but the fittings do need to be fixed to something such as a strip of wood over the enclosure.

I'll see if i can get a decent pic of what I do. It's tricky because I had a 3 level bunk bed type enclosure built inside the room and it takes up most of the room, not only width and length but also height!

[Mogthefrog]

Originally Posted by Ozric Jonathan

Hi there. Yes for the T5 Desert+tube you need the correct controller from Arcadia which is designed for the length of tube you want to use. Here is a link to Swells who have the controllers in the various wattages. The longer the tube, the higher the wattage required.

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rept...er-282649.html

The controller only has to bought once and the tubes last a long time and are not expensive.

On this page here the retailer has matched the correct controller with the tube and offers a combined deal:

http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rept...es-313865.html

I think we can ignore that this is aimed at people using vivs as the same stuff will do the job but the fittings do need to be fixed to something such as a strip of wood over the enclosure.

I'll see if i can get a decent pic of what I do. It's tricky because I had a 3 level bunk bed type enclosure built inside the room and it takes up most of the room, not only width and length but also height!

Thanks Jonathan,

I will go for the T5 tube, I have plenty of spare wood in the garage so will construct something to hold the reflector.

What sort of height does it need to be above the torts ?

Pics would be ideal, thanks for your help

[yuna1971]

This strip is the one I always use and recommend.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0006L11..._n7vbwbW0B25RA

although I wouldn't buy from Amazon, more like a specialist reptile website.
I always use either Swell Reptiles or Reptilekeeping.co.uk. xx

[Mogthefrog]

Originally Posted by yuna1971

This strip is the one I always use and recommend.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0006L11..._n7vbwbW0B25RA

although I wouldn't buy from Amazon, more like a specialist reptile website.
I always use either Swell Reptiles or Reptilekeeping.co.uk. xx

Thanks, well I have ordered the Arcadia T5 and starter unit with reflector, ordered on Tuesday from Essex reptiles, still nothing has arrived, I have contacted them via email 5 times and had no reply. Phoned and asked about the order, on Wednesday they told me it was out of stock until Thursday, now on Thursday they are telling me that it was being processed by another company and it would be here by Friday. I smell a rat !

So time has come and gone, looks like I am going to have to fight to get either my order or a refund, he has already promised me a Paypal refund yesterday as I asked to cancel the order, however as I thought the refund did no get sent

Beware of this shop, I would advise you all to keep away, in the mean time I am £63 out of pocket, shame I had already ordered before I saw the link to Swell Reptiles.

[yuna1971]

That's a shame. I hope you get your kit soon though xx

[Mogthefrog]

Hi,

I now have the T5 UV tube, what height does it need to be mounted, I assume it will need to run first for a few hours before putting it in place.

Thanks

[Ozric Jonathan]

Hi there.

I use the T5 desert+12% tube and have it mounted about 15" above tortoise height.

What I do is to cover a good part of the enclosure with light from the T5 but not the whole area.

I don't think there is any need to run these tubes in.

Sorry I couldn't do any photos. I did try, but couldn't get a decent shot.

[Mogthefrog]

Originally Posted by Ozric Jonathan

Hi there.

I use the T5 desert+12% tube and have it mounted about 15" above tortoise height.

What I do is to cover a good part of the enclosure with light from the T5 but not the whole area.

I don't think there is any need to run these tubes in.

Sorry I couldn't do any photos. I did try, but couldn't get a decent shot.

Thanks Jonathan, i will sort the light tomorrow night, Swell reptiles provided a very good service, I got the starter, bulb and reflector for £57.

[Arcadiajohn]

T5 lamps are very active. They actually take about 100 hours to fully energise. Over this period the lamps light output increases by around 30% as of course do the UVB wavelengths,

They also take about 5 mins each day after that to properly energise.

For a med species and with a suitably reflected lamp, the upper index basking zone, that is where the distance between the lamp and the top of the shell is at it's shortest it is indeed 12-15"

Remember to provide good space for light and shade. Then the little chap can properly self regulate it's own level of exposure at it has need.

John

[Mogthefrog]

Originally Posted by Arcadiajohn

T5 lamps are very active. They actually take about 100 hours to fully energise. Over this period the lamps light output increases by around 30% as of course do the UVB wavelengths,

They also take about 5 mins each day after that to properly energise.

For a med species and with a suitably reflected lamp, the upper index basking zone, that is where the distance between the lamp and the top of the shell is at it's shortest it is indeed 12-15"

Remember to provide good space for light and shade. Then the little chap can properly self regulate it's own level of exposure at it has need.

John

Thanks for the info John, my table is 7ft x 3.5, so plenty of room to ensure they have enough space for shade.