Greenhouse fun! - Page 2

Abram · 13-04-2008, 07:22 PM

UV transmission through clear polycarbonate

The transmission of UV through clear polycarbonate is shown in Table 4. These measurements were carried out using the Power Puck radiometer as before. This clearly demonstrates the increased transmission with increasing wavelength.

% Transmission of UV dose
UV A UV B UV C UV V
Clear polycarbonate disk 88 28 0 94

Hopefully this will get us back to tortoises.

We were really happy to see them enjoying themselves with our without UV light...

Henry-flash · 13-04-2008, 07:27 PM

Great pics

I'm sure a few hours without UV won't do redfoots, a rainforest species, much harm.

Abram · 13-04-2008, 08:01 PM

They were there for just 30 mins Henry, we wanted to see if they'll eat some house grown weeds

swad1000 · 13-04-2008, 08:11 PM

I just wanted to make sure people didn't think that putting tortoises in greenhouses, conservatories etc, would recieve any natural UV, certainly any significant amount at least. From your own table only 28% of UVB is transmitted.

They need to be outside for this to happen, as you have pointed out there is alot of confusion over what does and does not transmit UV, and not everyone is aware that not all clear materials transmit UV, in fact in would seem very few actually do.

The only one I've ever seen as classed as suitable is acrylic, and that blocks effectively all wavelengths below 300NM, so still blocks some of the UV needed by tortoises.

LilyLoo · 13-04-2008, 10:30 PM

aww great pics, spoilt little torties they're very lucky

joanna · 14-04-2008, 10:43 AM

Great pics! I bet they enjoyed those fresh, young weeds!

Ozric Jonathan · 14-04-2008, 12:12 PM

On the question of UV-

standard acrylic and polycarbonate do not allow the transmission of significant amounts of UV light. For acrylic at least there are specials available that do allow such transmission.

Standard and horticultural glass does not allow the transmission of any UV but very old glass does.

Pure acrylic and polycarbonate (PPMA) do allow the transmission of UV, but materials are almost always coated. Its the coatings that prevent the transmission of UV.

I am not questioning the UV transmission of the conservatory roof over the lovely torts in the pictures.

It might be that UV is a bigger issue for those of us keeping Med species eg Hermanns as these have high UV needs.

I'm with SWAD1000 in that I feel this is in general a neglected area of tortoise keeping. Standard cold frames and greenhouses will always block out all the UV.

DAISY · 14-04-2008, 06:27 PM

Your torts look like they enjoyed themselves.
To be honest my reds dont spend a great deal of time near their uv strip, choosing to move from one hide to another via a quick dip in their water bowl so I wouldnt worry about a ramble in the greenhouse.

13-04-2008, 07:27 PM	#12
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	Great pics I'm sure a few hours without UV won't do redfoots, a rainforest species, much harm. __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

13-04-2008, 10:30 PM	#15
LilyLoo Member Juvenile Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cornwall Posts: 793	aww great pics, spoilt little torties they're very lucky __________________ Lily xXx

14-04-2008, 12:12 PM	#17
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	On the question of UV- standard acrylic and polycarbonate do not allow the transmission of significant amounts of UV light. For acrylic at least there are specials available that do allow such transmission. Standard and horticultural glass does not allow the transmission of any UV but very old glass does. Pure acrylic and polycarbonate (PPMA) do allow the transmission of UV, but materials are almost always coated. Its the coatings that prevent the transmission of UV. I am not questioning the UV transmission of the conservatory roof over the lovely torts in the pictures. It might be that UV is a bigger issue for those of us keeping Med species eg Hermanns as these have high UV needs. I'm with SWAD1000 in that I feel this is in general a neglected area of tortoise keeping. Standard cold frames and greenhouses will always block out all the UV. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

14-04-2008, 06:27 PM	#18
DAISY Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LIVERPOOL Posts: 2,763	Your torts look like they enjoyed themselves. To be honest my reds dont spend a great deal of time near their uv strip, choosing to move from one hide to another via a quick dip in their water bowl so I wouldnt worry about a ramble in the greenhouse. __________________ Rach Mum to 12 horsfields, 2 redfoots, 2 spur-thighed, 4 dogs, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig, 3 chipmunks, 3 african pygmy hedgehogs, 4 bearded dragons, 1 goldfish. 2 daughters and 1 husband.

13-04-2008, 07:22 PM	#11
Abram Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 88	UV transmission through clear polycarbonate The transmission of UV through clear polycarbonate is shown in Table 4. These measurements were carried out using the Power Puck radiometer as before. This clearly demonstrates the increased transmission with increasing wavelength. % Transmission of UV dose UV A UV B UV C UV V Clear polycarbonate disk 88 28 0 94 Hopefully this will get us back to tortoises. We were really happy to see them enjoying themselves with our without UV light...

13-04-2008, 08:01 PM	#13
Abram Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 88	They were there for just 30 mins Henry, we wanted to see if they'll eat some house grown weeds

13-04-2008, 08:11 PM	#14
swad1000 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,702	I just wanted to make sure people didn't think that putting tortoises in greenhouses, conservatories etc, would recieve any natural UV, certainly any significant amount at least. From your own table only 28% of UVB is transmitted. They need to be outside for this to happen, as you have pointed out there is alot of confusion over what does and does not transmit UV, and not everyone is aware that not all clear materials transmit UV, in fact in would seem very few actually do. The only one I've ever seen as classed as suitable is acrylic, and that blocks effectively all wavelengths below 300NM, so still blocks some of the UV needed by tortoises.

14-04-2008, 10:43 AM	#16
joanna Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3,602	Great pics! I bet they enjoyed those fresh, young weeds!

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