6.2 uv meter

[Andy Robertson]

Hi all,

Just bought a 6.2 UV meter from Solarmeter and have taken some readings hopefully they sound okay.
Outside on a dull Scottish morning it was reading 008 uw/cm
My new sunbed acrylic that I fitted to me cold frame was reading 005 uw/cm on the inside which I thought was good as the glass was reading 000.

Tortoise shed lights:
New 125w sola glow = 130 uw/cm 7' from the top of tortoise shell.
8 week old 125w sola glow = 70 uw/cm.

T5 54w slimline canopy light again 7' from top of shell. Readings from end, centre and end.
512uw/cm 405uw/cm and 300uw/cm
Second one:
300uw/cm 214uw/cm and 260uw/cm both 8 weeks old.

Inside table:
Arcadia d3 160w 5 months old= 033uw/cm
T5 with reflector= 235uw/cm 260uw/cm and 235 uw/cm

Do these readings sound okay????

The t5 are positioned where the torts walk up and down in there enclosure. So hopefully getting the full benefit.
As for the outside cold frame I think replacing the glass with the sunbed acrylic should be good when the sun does eventually come out.
Any ideas is much appreciated
Thanks Andy

[wigwamman]

thanks for posting your findings.
it seems that t5s are the only way to go!!

[Andy Robertson]

It does look like that with the T5, I have another two 39w slimline canopy lights still in the box so once they are set up i'll take the measurements and post forgot to mention the lights are on for 10hrs a day.
Andy

[TillyTortoise]

Originally Posted by Andy Robertson

Hi all,

Just bought a 6.2 UV meter from Solarmeter and have taken some readings hopefully they sound okay.
Outside on a dull Scottish morning it was reading 008 uw/cm
My new sunbed acrylic that I fitted to me cold frame was reading 005 uw/cm on the inside which I thought was good as the glass was reading 000.

Tortoise shed lights:
New 125w sola glow = 130 uw/cm 7' from the top of tortoise shell.
I remember Francis Baines saying 100uw/cm2 was about the time you should change an MVB, so this is alright but clearly isn't going to last long
8 week old 125w sola glow = 70 uw/cm.
Quite poor really if you go by the 100uw/cm2 rule?

T5 54w slimline canopy light again 7' from top of shell. Readings from end, centre and end.
512uw/cm 405uw/cm and 300uw/cm
That reading is really high, i'd raise the slimline some.
Second one:
300uw/cm 214uw/cm and 260uw/cm both 8 weeks old.
That sounds alright to me

Inside table:
Arcadia d3 160w 5 months old= 033uw/cm
Very poor really seen as they are recommended for 12 months use. Clearly, these shouldn't be used as a sole UV source
T5 with reflector= 235uw/cm 260uw/cm and 235 uw/cm
That's good

Do these readings sound okay????

The t5 are positioned where the torts walk up and down in there enclosure. So hopefully getting the full benefit.
As for the outside cold frame I think replacing the glass with the sunbed acrylic should be good when the sun does eventually come out.
Any ideas is much appreciated
Thanks Andy

No sure what you can do about the cold frame.. allowing to tortoise free roam form the cold frame to the outside will be fine though.

[Andy Robertson]

Hi there Ross,
Yeah the combined spots are not as good as they say they should be. The T5 's are good though.
As for the cold frame it is basically a mini green house 10ft x 4ft. The reason for putting in the sunbed acrylic as on colder days the acrylic will still let the uv in, but when the weather gets warmer it will be removed.
As I live away up north we don't get as much warmer weather to allow them free roaming all the time.
Cheers
Andy

[Arcadiajohn]

Hi,

Just an FYi, we recommend a min fitting height of 10-12 inches at the closest point and depending on species for a reflected D3+ T5. As you can see they are quite pokey

Questions always welcome

John


QUOTE=Andy Robertson;600086]Hi all,

Just bought a 6.2 UV meter from Solarmeter and have taken some readings hopefully they sound okay.
Outside on a dull Scottish morning it was reading 008 uw/cm
My new sunbed acrylic that I fitted to me cold frame was reading 005 uw/cm on the inside which I thought was good as the glass was reading 000.

Tortoise shed lights:
New 125w sola glow = 130 uw/cm 7' from the top of tortoise shell.
8 week old 125w sola glow = 70 uw/cm.

T5 54w slimline canopy light again 7' from top of shell. Readings from end, centre and end.
512uw/cm 405uw/cm and 300uw/cm
Second one:
300uw/cm 214uw/cm and 260uw/cm both 8 weeks old.

Inside table:
Arcadia d3 160w 5 months old= 033uw/cm
T5 with reflector= 235uw/cm 260uw/cm and 235 uw/cm

Do these readings sound okay????

The t5 are positioned where the torts walk up and down in there enclosure. So hopefully getting the full benefit.
As for the outside cold frame I think replacing the glass with the sunbed acrylic should be good when the sun does eventually come out.
Any ideas is much appreciated
Thanks Andy[/QUOTE]

[Andy Robertson]

The temps under the spots are 34-36c at the height I have them. They are Thb a d th herc torts. The combo spots are hanging and not sitting at an angle they also have reflector domes fitted so the readings are a bit low for the age of he bulbs.
Andy

[Andy Robertson]

Hi there,

just posting some pictures of the UV readings inside and outside of my coldframe fitted with Sunbed acrylic.

[yuna1971]

It's pretty amazing readings..eh, Andy? They are such nifty devices! xx

[TillyTortoise]

What's the reading at tortoise level inside the cold frame, Andy? Does it drop quickly?