Distance of UV from tortoise

Emilyjayne2012 · 05-01-2013, 02:16 PM

I've just brought a new table for my torts to get them out of their viv. It's so much bigger I'm so happy with it but I just had a few questions on setting it up! It's got a lamp holder with it but I can't decide wether to get a combi bulb for hear and uv or put the strip light in there and a seperate heat bulb? What do most people do with their tables? Also if I put a strip bulb in there the sides are 8.5" high so it won't be very far away from them as currently it's at the top of the viv so it's quite far away from them! Is there a minimum distance away it should be so they don't get too much uv or is that a really silly question?

**egyptiandan64** · 05-01-2013, 02:38 PM

If possible, it would be better to suspend the strip light over the table and not have it attached to a side. Bright light would never come at a tortoise from that angle in the wild (8.5 inches off the ground angled into their eyes). That way you can adjust the height and be no problems getting the light the required distance from the tortoise.

Danny

EJ · 05-01-2013, 04:00 PM

I guess you haven't hunted tortoises at dusk or dawn... The side mounted artificial light would most closely mimic the natural light intensity and position at that time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

If possible, it would be better to suspend the strip light over the table and not have it attached to a side. Bright light would never come at a tortoise from that angle in the wild (8.5 inches off the ground angled into their eyes). That way you can adjust the height and be no problems getting the light the required distance from the tortoise.

Danny

Easter Bunny · 05-01-2013, 04:14 PM

Hi Emily, I use Arcadia D3 Combined bulbs 160watt in my tables, these do both the u.v and heat. In my bigger tables I also have just an ordinary spot bulb to brighten it up x

Suze65 · 05-01-2013, 04:29 PM

Hi Emily, I use both types, combi for my adult torts, and it says on says on the box 22cm above the top of the tortoises shell, and I use a strip uv bulb and basking bulb for my babies and under 5yrs and set it at the same distance away from the top of the torts shell, 22 cm . I agree with Dan, it needs to be suspended above the torts not at an angle.

Emilyjayne2012 · 05-01-2013, 04:59 PM

Thank you all for your help. I am looking into the option of suspending the light above the table but it doesn't look like it will be easy so I have also been looking into the combined Arcadia bulb which I have read good reviews about. My table isn't huge (36" long) so I think a combined bulb could work quite well to get enough UV across the table.
Thanks Suze for telling me the distance it should be from the shell I have googled it but couldn't find the answer anywhere.
Lynnee do you find the Arcadia light to be a good one to use then?

Easter Bunny · 05-01-2013, 07:10 PM

Yes Emily I think the Arcadia combined are good. I found out about them on here actually and they seem to be doing their job ok.

**egyptiandan64** · 05-01-2013, 08:46 PM

Yes Ed if you were on an east (sun rise) or west (sun set) facing beach and were searching for tortoises or turtles at those times the sun would be that low for maybe an hour. We aren't talking all day, so no a tortoise would not have the sun in it's eyes all day, maybe for an hour each day if it lived on the coast.

Danny

Emilyjayne2012 · 05-01-2013, 08:48 PM

Ok thanks Lynne that looks like the one il get then. Could you please recommend what wattage I should get? My table is 36" by 21"

EJ · 05-01-2013, 09:12 PM

We are talking about the time of day when tortoises are most active. During the cooler periods... fall and winter... the sun is also lower on the horizon.

In the summer and spring sun is alot lower on the horizon for alot longer than an hour during dawn and dusk.

Rarely... if ever will you find a tortoise basking when the sun is directly above.

I miss your point as to what living on the coast has to do with anything.

An easy experiment... take a uv meter and measure the difference of a bulb mounted on the side as opposed to that mounted from above. Then decide if it is worth the time trouble and money to build an overhead support although I can provide and easy and inexpensive mount if that's the route anyone wants to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

Yes Ed if you were on an east (sun rise) or west (sun set) facing beach and were searching for tortoises or turtles at those times the sun would be that low for maybe an hour. We aren't talking all day, so no a tortoise would not have the sun in it's eyes all day, maybe for an hour each day if it lived on the coast.

Danny

05-01-2013, 02:16 PM	#1
Emilyjayne2012 Member Hatchling Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Essex Posts: 674	Distance of UV from tortoise I've just brought a new table for my torts to get them out of their viv. It's so much bigger I'm so happy with it but I just had a few questions on setting it up! It's got a lamp holder with it but I can't decide wether to get a combi bulb for hear and uv or put the strip light in there and a seperate heat bulb? What do most people do with their tables? Also if I put a strip bulb in there the sides are 8.5" high so it won't be very far away from them as currently it's at the top of the viv so it's quite far away from them! Is there a minimum distance away it should be so they don't get too much uv or is that a really silly question? __________________ Emily & ....

05-01-2013, 02:38 PM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	If possible, it would be better to suspend the strip light over the table and not have it attached to a side. Bright light would never come at a tortoise from that angle in the wild (8.5 inches off the ground angled into their eyes). That way you can adjust the height and be no problems getting the light the required distance from the tortoise. Danny __________________

05-01-2013, 04:14 PM	#4
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	Hi Emily, I use Arcadia D3 Combined bulbs 160watt in my tables, these do both the u.v and heat. In my bigger tables I also have just an ordinary spot bulb to brighten it up x __________________ Lynne x

05-01-2013, 04:29 PM	#5
Suze65 Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,769	Hi Emily, I use both types, combi for my adult torts, and it says on says on the box 22cm above the top of the tortoises shell, and I use a strip uv bulb and basking bulb for my babies and under 5yrs and set it at the same distance away from the top of the torts shell, 22 cm . I agree with Dan, it needs to be suspended above the torts not at an angle. __________________ Suze. 3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe 7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy 1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012 Last edited by Suze65; 05-01-2013 at 04:31 PM.

05-01-2013, 04:59 PM	#6
Emilyjayne2012 Member Hatchling Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Essex Posts: 674	Thank you all for your help. I am looking into the option of suspending the light above the table but it doesn't look like it will be easy so I have also been looking into the combined Arcadia bulb which I have read good reviews about. My table isn't huge (36" long) so I think a combined bulb could work quite well to get enough UV across the table. Thanks Suze for telling me the distance it should be from the shell I have googled it but couldn't find the answer anywhere. Lynnee do you find the Arcadia light to be a good one to use then? __________________ Emily & ....

05-01-2013, 07:10 PM	#7
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	Yes Emily I think the Arcadia combined are good. I found out about them on here actually and they seem to be doing their job ok. __________________ Lynne x

05-01-2013, 08:46 PM	#8
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Yes Ed if you were on an east (sun rise) or west (sun set) facing beach and were searching for tortoises or turtles at those times the sun would be that low for maybe an hour. We aren't talking all day, so no a tortoise would not have the sun in it's eyes all day, maybe for an hour each day if it lived on the coast. Danny __________________

05-01-2013, 08:48 PM	#9
Emilyjayne2012 Member Hatchling Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Essex Posts: 674	Ok thanks Lynne that looks like the one il get then. Could you please recommend what wattage I should get? My table is 36" by 21" __________________ Emily & ....

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