I'm going to buy a spare Uv and heat lamp and would appreciate some help and advice please.  Is it better to buy separately or a combined one ?  I have n't got a lot of spare money so please advise on the better ones to buy for my darling little Toto.   Many thanks.. Marilyn. xx    He's doing really well so far..

Hiya,

We tend to use the combined heat/UVB. They are an advantage in that it's easy to get the UVB and the heat in the same area as a tortoise will be drawn to the heat.

We use the Megaray from Kimbos Reptiles:-

http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/

Regards
Steph

Hi Marilyn, Glad all is going well! Like Steph I use the maegaray from the same supplier. They were £50 each but free delivery you will also need a ceramic holder with a protective shade (they do these too). These lights should give out good quality UVA/B for atleast 2+ years. I also have a few Powersun lights on the go and I have been happy with these too (another combination one)The strip lights you need the holder and reflective shade although these appear cheaper you will need to replace them far more often (approx. 6mths) to maintain good UVA/B rays and also have another for of heat too, such as a household reflector bulb, which i beleive they are trying to stop making and get us all to use the energy ones. Have a browse around Kimbos site and get back to us if you have any further questions. 
I have placed an order for the natural sunshine but i think it must have been misplaced .

TC

Elaine

Thank you Hunnie,  There are so many on the market I don't want to make an expensive mistake.  Thank you for your advice.  Toto is so precious to me I want to look after him the best  I can.  love from Marilyn. x

Hi Elaine,  Thank you for your help and advice.  I really don't want to make any mistakes with this little one as he is so beautiful.. but then. aren't they all ?  ..  I certainly will look through this  site as what's good enough for you is also good enough for me.  I too keep asking for natural sunshine.. but alas.... no luck just yet..  Won't it be lovely when we can all sit out and have our own little bask in the sun.   Thanks again.  I'll stay in touch with you all.  There's lots to learn.  love from Marilyn.  xxxx

Oh forgot to say - once you set them up LEAVE well alone. Try not to move them about or disconect them for winter OR spray the substrate near them, it really can bring a tear to ones eyes to hear them blow from your mistake.

Now reading that has saved you atleast 3 bulbs!

Tc

Elaine

AT LEAST:-)

At £50 a time I think I'll be scared to even LOOK at it. !!!!   Thanks for your help.  I'd better start saving. !!  Love Marilyn..x

Hi Marilyn,

I tried to post on this thread last week, but there was a glitch in the system that wouldn't recognise my log in.

I just wanted to put a word in for the fluorescent tubes. It is true that the best quality UVB comes from the combined heat/light mercury vapour bulbs, but they are expensive, are prone to blowing out, and if you want to move the bulb further away in order to reduce the temperature, your UVB source is also then further away.

I like the flexibility of having my heat and UVB source separate, so I use an ordinary 60W or 100W household spotlight for heat/light and I have a 3' Reptisun 10.0 UVB tube as my UVB source. The Reptisun 10 (or Reptiglo 10) will last up to a year (as opposed to 6 months for the 5.0 or 2.0 tubes), and the UVB output is good. I think they cost around £20, but you will need a starter unit with it too (but that is a one-off purchase of about £16). If you clamp a reflector on the tube (cost a couple of quid) it will increase the amount of UVB reaching the tortoise by up to 30% (and it saves your eyes too, as you shouldn't really look into these lights).

You can, of course, avoid the whole starter unit thing by buying one of the compact UVB fluorescent bulbs, but there was a scare recently about some brands (because of their components) causing damage to a tortoise's eyes, and I don't think they are as satisfactory as the tubes anyway. Also, if you get a long tube, you have UVB reaching more of the enclosure than if it is coming from one pin-pointed source like a bulb.

Cheers,
Nina

I guess it's personal preference:-)

The quality of UVB does last longer with Megaray than the tubes and other combined heating/lighting systems.

If you go for the tube & spotlight system, it's worth noting that the spotlight should be placed as close to the UVB tube as possible. A tortoise will be attracted to the heat and so will benefit from the UVB whilst it is basking. All UVB sources should be fitted directly above the tortoises. A tortoise is equipped to deal with the UVB shining directly from above. Many use clamp lamps and fit them to the sides of enclosures which shines the harmful rays directly into a tortoise's eyes. This applies to both combined lighting/heating systems and also the tube systems as both can damage a tortoise's eyes if not situated properly.

HTH
Darren

That's a really good point, Darren. Just like the eyelids humans, the eyelids on a tortoise protect their eyes from light coming from above, but if it is shining horizontally into their eyes it is uncomfortable and, if it is a source of UVB, can do damage. And personally I would always fit a reflector on a tube to protect my own eyes too.

Nina

This has been a good post Marilyn, it is always good to get many points of views on the same subject. Freedom of choice to what suits your needs best. Come on, set us another LOL

TC

Elaine 

Hello All, Thank you very much for all your help.  I think it's all a bit clearer now but I'll carry on reading stuff from everywhere for the added experience..  I think I still prefer the Megaray as this combines it all in one source although it is pricey.  So you suggest I hang it rather than clamp it to the side of Toto's pen ??  Is that right ??   I'm scared to look at the bloomin thing let alone move it !!   If I hear a "POP" I think I'll die !!!!!     I'll wait to hear before I do anything..... Thank you..  love Marilyn. xxx    He's got his very own home grown produce now.  It's like a farmers' market here. !!    ha ha ha    

Yes Marlyn, Hang it, that way the eylids of the tortoise act as protection to the eyes. Do a quick measure up of the height that is best BEFORE putting your bulb in, that way it will give you a good idea where it will be and then just minor adjustments for heat.

Good luck

Elaine

Hi This thread is wonderful! has answered a few questions I had in mind :) although I still cannot get my head round what is needed and where I can get things from lol

I have found the Megaray bulb,http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/mega-160w-mercury-vapour-lamp-p-127.html

But I can't seem to find the unit that holds the bulb. The unit that powers too, my head is spinning lol. I want to use the combined uv/heat, I think its better value!
Any help/advice regarding this would be so appreciated:) Thanks

I have just found this...http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/dome-style-lamp-p-167.html

Is this suitable to use with the combined Megaray bulb? Also which wattage bulb is recommended?Is 160w to much?

Hi yes that is the holder you need.  When you click on the bulbs it usually displays the holders towards the bottom of the page.  But you have found one!

REgards Vivienne