which is the correct percentage UV lamp for torts?

[animalmad]

i've had conflicting opinions from people on which is correct UV percentage for torts,

its for a hermanns tort, which is best 5%, 7% or 10% ??

thanks

[Arcadiajohn]

Hi,

There is only one way to work out what lamp is required. The % counts for nothing on its own.

Firstly look at the wild animal, where does it come from? What is the average UVindex in the country of origin, how far above sea level is it found? When and where is it seen and at what time of day? How long is the wild photoperiod?

You can then use this data and the published output of a lamp and more importantly the height of your viv to work out what system you need.

This is the only scientific way of providing enough energy for our captive animals.

But don't worry too much inhale done all the hard work for you!!! Just click on our free lighting guide here www.Arcadia-reptile.com read the explanation and then choose chelonia from the drop down. Then choose your species. A pop up window will open. Then select the box with the height of your viv and hey presto it shows you exactly which lamp or lamps you need to re-create wild exposure.

Let me know if you get stuck

John courteney-smith

[animalmad]

thanks john,

a pet shop sold me a 7% uvb arcadia D3 compact 23W reptile lamp, ive just noticed it says for forest reptile species on the box... would you say this would be ok for a Hermanns??

thanks in advance for your advice

ps what is the RRP for these, as ive no idea and would be interested to see if ive been ripped off

[filardimarg2]

I use the 12% arcadia tube uv.

Marg.

[animalmad]

this is all so confusing

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by filardimarg2

I use the 12% arcadia tube uv.

Marg.

I use the same and set it up at its highest position and put a few rocks or a ramp under it so they can make there own choice as to how much uv they want

[Arcadiajohn]

Compacts can be very tricky to use, they are difficult to reflect I advise that if you are to use it that you fit it in a 20cm Arcadia clamp lamp fitting. Light comes out from all around the lamp and its hard to capture and get down onto the animal.

Whether it is suitable or not answer my last post is totally down to the species and the distance between lamp and animal!

Personally I prefer linear lamps as they have a very wide footprint and are a doddle to reflect!

If you had say a horstfields and the lamp was no more that 10" from the top of the animal then yes it would work as required. But only directly beneath the lamp.

I seriously suggest that you look at T5 lighting, it is energy efficant, flicker free and has as much UV energy as a mercury vapour but all along the lamp. This means a MUCH wider and more usable photogradient.

Check our lighting guidenit explains it fully.

John.

The full suggested rrp is £26.99 now. But every shop sell at thier own price, imhave no control over that!!

[Levi]

Originally Posted by Arcadiajohn

If you had say a horstfields and the lamp was no more that 10" from the top of the animal then yes it would work as required. But only directly beneath the lamp.



Check our lighting guidenit explains it fully.

John.

John just wondering why the lighting guide on your website has horstfields and you also mention horstfields above ?

[Arcadiajohn]

Hi Levi, not sure what you mean?

John

[Levi]

Originally Posted by Arcadiajohn

Hi Levi, not sure what you mean?

John

Hi John,

It was just your unusual spelling of the Horsfield species on the Arcadia website and in your post above. That's Horsfield spelt with a "T" in the middle (i.e. horstfields).
I know some people add an extra "e" but I've never seen it spelt with a "t" !

Also Spur Thighs are quite popular and are not on the Arcadia list of Chelonia species.