Hi Jane, would that bulb be somethng like a 120Watt MegaRay UVB lamp? Or perhaps a Powersun? I think we might need more exact information to answer your question. A souce of UVB light is required for a Hermann being kept indoors. Ozric
Hi Ozric Well you think I would know better than to put such brief details on sorry My circumstances: Keya (Hatchling) Molly (Adult) are both brought in at nights, but in these colder mornings I put the lamps on timers to get their out door houses (Separate section for each) warmed up. Now both had a combined lamp each (UV & Heat) but Keya's bulb blew (Surprise Powersun!) so as it is more important for Keya to have the combined I have put Molly's lamp in Keya's area, which now leaves me short of a combined (Apart from the one I have indoors Megray which I don't want to put outside) so while I am trying to find a supplier that I can get a couple of Solar Glo bulbs from I wanted to use a 120W Flood bulb Domestic (The only high wattage there is), but not sure if that would be a good idea or would it be too bright and damage her eyes, it has a reflector on it? also as everyone is aware of now, No-one seems to do plain 100watt domestic bulbs due to the energy regulations, much to the annoyance of tortoise keepers!!
Sorry so complicated but fully understand you need all info to answer correctly. Please feel free to ask TFYH
At this time of year, my adults have the greenhouse with free range to the garden, and just to warm them up in the morning before they go out, I use the par 38 bulbs, and find they work really well - they are quite cheap to buy too. You used to be able to get them from B&Q, but they have stopped doing them, but you can get them from electrical wholesalers, I buy mine from here, and they turn up within 1 - 2 days:-
Hi Arlene Yes Molly has her semi wood/perspex enclosure and full access to all the garden too, so that would be just perfect. I have often wondered whether I was going abit OTT with a combined for her, obviously for Keya that is different, I still keep a combined even in her out door house and with her having access in her run to go outside, but she seems to be pretty switched on and comes and goes as her needs must so to speak. I will order a few before they all stop doing them Thanks again Jane
Hi, I am using a 75W halogen par 38 in my coldframe at the moment on a dimming thermostat. This seems to be working well for me, but its also possible to use the 150W flood halogens. These lamps are designed for outdoors use and have metal housing, they also cost only £4.80 each from here
and that includes the bulb. With the 150W obviously you get more heat and the lamp will need to be further away from the tortoise. I don't know yet if this lamp can work on a dimming thermostat but I don't see why not. These are good outdoors and they can have a use indoors as well because of the useful heat and general light. But of course they don't provide any UV at all, which has to be provided separately.
Hi Guys I ordered last night 4 x LA Par 38/100's (Thanks Arlene for link) this is taking me into new waters now, which is really good as I seem to struggle getting all my set up right, mainly because I work full time and have to try and cater for the cold mornings and the tropicals by midday!! Thanks Ozric for the link for the Wickes light, looks good, knowing me will probably get one of those too Today I am going to educate myself in the difference between a plain 100 watt bulb and a 100 watt Halogen, I also go for the 100watt because the lower watts do not give out so much heat, not sure if my thinking is logical on that one. The main reason I have been unsure about the non combined lamps is that I have been worried that I could damage Molly's eyes!! I do have the light coming down from above her and not directly in her face but does the glare not bounce off the mini slab I have under it? sorry if my questions are abit silly!! I sure wish one of you guys lived closer to come and have a look at my set up and advice Anyway I will leave this one with you , thanks Jane
Thanks for the useful links Arlene and Ozric obtaining reflector bulbs is becoming a problem now!!
I wouldnt worry too much about the glare off the slab (unless the slab is bright white or metalic!), in the wild they are subjected to bright unfiltered sunlight, once warmed up they tend to move from the basking area and out of the light.
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