TORTOISE TABLE

rodneypig · 19-07-2006, 05:12 PM

Hi I need a bit of advice please. I am having a tortoise table built for my Hermanns and need to know what I need in the way of electrics. Should I use a uv tube and separate heat lamp? I have the hemp substrate, water dish and rocks etc. Is there any thing else I need ( or he needs!)

**Eire_Ade** · 19-07-2006, 11:41 PM

Hi, I use a t-rex active UV flood lamp in my table top, there is nothing wrong with using UV tubes but make sure they are low down in the table close to your tortoise, and the heat lamp of course. Remember UV tubes have to be replaced approximately every 6 months as they loose their UV properties.

As the t-rex lamp cannot be thermostatically controlled you have to raise and lower it until the desired basking temp is achieved, which is between 10" to 12".

I use a thermometer with an external probe which is positioned under the basking lamp so that the basking temp can be monitored.

As for substrates I am using heavy duty seed trats filled with various substrates for variety and texture. Hemp in the bedding down are, chipsi beech chips in eating area, 19mm gravel / decorative stone chips in the water area and a 50/50 sand / john innes #1 compost mix under the basking lamp with some larger smooth white pebbles under the lamp.

See my tortoise table in the pics section.

Hope this helps.

Ade

sandy · 20-07-2006, 07:47 AM

You can use either system, which ever suits you.
The UV lamps seem expensive at the time, but they can last up to two years or possibly more.
Tubes have to be changed every six months.
So its what suits you and your tortoises and the cash flow<g>.

Misterthomas · 21-07-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Tubes have to be changed approx every six months

I contacted Exo Terra/Repti Glow's UK distributor and they confirm that their tubes are good for a guaranteed 12 months before they recommend changing them. Not sure about other makes though

sandy · 21-07-2006, 01:16 PM

Well on TF we have had members checking the UV levels in lamps and tubes.
Tubes loose the UV levels dramatically after six months. They still produce heat, but thats
not what tortoises need, its the UV.
The combined UV/heat lamps came out far better. Lasting much longer.
If the companies you asked, will put it in writing that their UV levels will last twelve months,
can you forward it to me. As I do use both methods, but only in the Spring and Autumn.
And would love not to have to change the tubes so often.

Misterthomas · 21-07-2006, 01:19 PM

Sandy - i'll give em a call and ask them to mail me or post me confirmation then forward it to you

rodneypig · 21-07-2006, 01:23 PM

I used to work in the pet trade and was always told by Hagen ( Exo Terra ) that their UV tubes should be changed after six to eight months as after this time th UV levels dropped below the required level.

nina · 22-07-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneypig

I used to work in the pet trade and was always told by Hagen ( Exo Terra ) that their UV tubes should be changed after six to eight months as after this time th UV levels dropped below the required level.

Does that go for all strengths of tubes? I used to have a ReptiGlo 5, and that did need changing after six months, but I now have the ReptiSun 10, and they state on the box that it is good for 12 months (I thought maybe the fact that it was stronger made it last longer, but that is probably incredibly stupid of me). Do you have any information on the ReptiSun 10? A

Also, maybe someone on here can answer this for me (I posted this question on another forum but never got a reply). Is the six month thing based on just time (i.e. six months) or on hours of use? In other words, if you bought a tube in, say, March and used it for three months, and then didn't use it for three months while your tort was outside, do you still have three months of use left, or is it depleted?

Nina

rodneypig · 22-07-2006, 08:40 AM

I am pretty sure that it is based on average use, otherwise the tubes would have to have best before dates.

sandy · 22-07-2006, 08:47 AM

Hi Nina

I know you can get metres to check the UV levels, but they are quite expensive.
I didnt know they had now got repti sun 10, maybe they do last longer.
Do you know if the cost is higher please?
Just as a comparison to the UV lamps.

19-07-2006, 11:41 PM	#2
Eire_Ade Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,422	Hi, I use a t-rex active UV flood lamp in my table top, there is nothing wrong with using UV tubes but make sure they are low down in the table close to your tortoise, and the heat lamp of course. Remember UV tubes have to be replaced approximately every 6 months as they loose their UV properties. As the t-rex lamp cannot be thermostatically controlled you have to raise and lower it until the desired basking temp is achieved, which is between 10" to 12". I use a thermometer with an external probe which is positioned under the basking lamp so that the basking temp can be monitored. As for substrates I am using heavy duty seed trats filled with various substrates for variety and texture. Hemp in the bedding down are, chipsi beech chips in eating area, 19mm gravel / decorative stone chips in the water area and a 50/50 sand / john innes #1 compost mix under the basking lamp with some larger smooth white pebbles under the lamp. See my tortoise table in the pics section. Hope this helps. Ade __________________ Ade ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ) My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera)

20-07-2006, 07:47 AM	#3
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	You can use either system, which ever suits you. The UV lamps seem expensive at the time, but they can last up to two years or possibly more. Tubes have to be changed every six months. So its what suits you and your tortoises and the cash flow<g>. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

21-07-2006, 01:16 PM	#5
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Well on TF we have had members checking the UV levels in lamps and tubes. Tubes loose the UV levels dramatically after six months. They still produce heat, but thats not what tortoises need, its the UV. The combined UV/heat lamps came out far better. Lasting much longer. If the companies you asked, will put it in writing that their UV levels will last twelve months, can you forward it to me. As I do use both methods, but only in the Spring and Autumn. And would love not to have to change the tubes so often. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

22-07-2006, 08:47 AM	#10
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Hi Nina I know you can get metres to check the UV levels, but they are quite expensive. I didnt know they had now got repti sun 10, maybe they do last longer. Do you know if the cost is higher please? Just as a comparison to the UV lamps. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

19-07-2006, 05:12 PM	#1
rodneypig Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southampton Posts: 135	TORTOISE TABLE Hi I need a bit of advice please. I am having a tortoise table built for my Hermanns and need to know what I need in the way of electrics. Should I use a uv tube and separate heat lamp? I have the hemp substrate, water dish and rocks etc. Is there any thing else I need ( or he needs!)

21-07-2006, 01:19 PM	#6
Misterthomas Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wolverhampton & Solihull Posts: 67	Sandy - i'll give em a call and ask them to mail me or post me confirmation then forward it to you

21-07-2006, 01:23 PM	#7
rodneypig Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southampton Posts: 135	I used to work in the pet trade and was always told by Hagen ( Exo Terra ) that their UV tubes should be changed after six to eight months as after this time th UV levels dropped below the required level.

22-07-2006, 08:40 AM	#9
rodneypig Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southampton Posts: 135	I am pretty sure that it is based on average use, otherwise the tubes would have to have best before dates.

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