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Am I getting it right?
Posted: 04/06/2017 by Clairaloulou

Hi all


I have a 10 month old horsfield.  He is very happy, eating and exploring and napping.  I've converted a 120cm x 60cm rabbit cage for him, it has a deep layer of substrate that he loves to burrow into.  As you can see on the pic I have the lamp setup on one side, and in it I have a mercury vapour lamp.  I have to have it positioned where it is because it is very hot.  As it is, the temp underneath is about 32, and the rest is about 20.  I think the temp is ok but I am concerned he's not getting enough uvb.  I have those uvb detector cards, which I know aren't accurate but I can't afford £200 for ones of the meters) and they show that he is getting low levels of uvb.  I have the lamp on for 12 hours a day, and he is underneath it for maybe 6 hours a day? I want to get it right for him, so I'd really appreciate any advice anyone can give.  Should I get a long uvb tube and separate basking lamp? I've read they should be the length of the enclosure.  What % do they need? I've read too high can damage their eyes but too low and they'll get mbd.  Argh!

TIA

Claire

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 04/06/2017 by tomtortoise@tovevalley.net

Hello again Claire,

So you've gone for a hors' - not a great choice of species - I hope it's not from a pretend 'breeder' as discussed b4.

Temp is ok if you mean at tort' level in the hot spot.

Which bulb do you have which concerns you ? Is it brand new ?

Tom

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 04/06/2017 by Clairaloulou

Hi Tom


Thanks for your (quite snarky) reply.  No I didn't get him from a pretend breeder, and I never was planning on doing that.  I may be new to tortoises but I'm not new to animal ownership, breeding and care.  I got him from a responsible breeder that is registered with the tortoise trust.  Is that good enough?  Also, why do you say a horsfield is not a good choice? 

As I said in my post, I have a mercury bulb.  I've got to keep it fairly high up so the temp is right, but I'm concerned that as it is higher up the level of uvb reaching him won't be enough.  I don't want him to be without enough uvb when he is inside and just wanted some advice on whether this bulb is actually ok or whether I'd be better getting individual heat and uv lights?

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 04/06/2017 by tomtortoise@tovevalley.net

If you had replied to my email in reply to your Housing Post I wouldn't have made the comment. 

If from a T. Trust member you should be ok, though the T.T. don't have an approved breeders register.

Horsfields have their followers, if you like them that's fine.

Yes I know it's a M.V. bulb I asked which one - as you are concerned re. output. Wattage is obviously also relevant.

Again what is fairly high ? ansa's depend on the detail in questions.

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 05/06/2017 by Clairaloulou

My apologies Tom, that was my error, I'd replied to another forum where I'd posted the same thing but I'd missed you out.  I've got a very poor memory and I get mixed up sometimes.  Well, regularly I'm afraid to say!


I did also get mixed up with which site I got my breeders name from.  It was off the tpg, a spreadsheet type document with breeders from around the country.  Looking at it now it's an old one, from 2009.  I don't think it's appropriate or necessary to name him on here?  He's from Sheffield. He's currently in hospital after an accident which is why I'm asking on here instead of nattering at him and his lovely wife.

So, I have a Exo Terra Solar Glo 125w.  I bought it brand new, and am using it with a clamp lamp.  At first, when I attached it to the wire cage it was red hot at ground zero, so I faffed about with it and got it to 32 under and 20ish away.  But it was about 40cm away.  I've done my temps at 9.30 this morning (light goes on at 7) and it was much colder, about 25 and 17.  He was sat happily warming up to the side of the main beam, he never seems to bask right underneath it.  So anyway with it being colder I've moved the lamp closer to about 30cm and it's 32 and 18.5.  He's huddled in a corner now.  Am wondering if he prefers it a bit cooler?  He certainly doesn't look as happy now as he did.  I've left him for a bit and he has come out again now, basking to the side like he normally does.  He's not been active like usual.  I think he's waiting for his breakfast though! He seems to be a stickler for routine!

Am finding it really tricky figuring this out but I want to do it right and that's why I'm here.  I clearly need to do a bit of trial and error, but if you could point me in the right direction I would be grateful.  I'll get any kit he needs and spend whatever time it takes to figure it out.

While I'm here can I ask a few other questions please?
1.  I've read that horsfields are prone to overeating and therefore can grow too fast, and I want to avoid this, so please can you tell me just how much I should be giving him? He's been having 1 flower and 2 or 3 green leaves (depending on size) a day.  I've been giving him a bit more to give him a variety to try and figure what he likes, but that is all I've allowed him to actually eat.
2. How much weight should he be putting on?  He weighs 37.7g at the moment.
3. I've also read that some people fast their tortoises a day a week to avoid them growing too fast as well? Very unsure about this so thought I'd ask.

Many thanks

Claire





Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 05/06/2017 by tomtortoise@tovevalley.net

Not to worry Claire, I've been called far worse !

The bulb is fine, M.V. bulbs are a big step forward in tortoise husbandry, far better than tube lights. The Clamp lamp without the clamp is fine. Yes they run hot hence the need for a good quality reflector.
Look at instructions to find the correct height range. I don't use that brand but I think you will find that 30cm is the lowest you can go esp. as it's 125W.

You always refer to temps as "about" - use a digital thermo with a probe at tort height in the hot spot. Take temp when light has been on about an hour. Your tort doesn't need to be right under the bulb to get the UVB.

1. It's not poss' to quantify how much food, flowers/leaves are diff. sizes / thicknesses.
2. There are no rules with wt gain per week. Worry if it doesn't eat !
3. You could do this if you think it's growing too fast. Leave the light off.
     Hibernation will check it's growth, of course.

See how it goes,

Tom

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 05/06/2017 by Clairaloulou

Thanks Tom


My tortoise (Noddy - he nods a lot) seemed a bit off it today, he's not really eaten and has been burrowed away most of the day.  I'm hoping it was just because he was a bit cooler and dingy.  But am working on sorting that out.  I've ordered one of those temperature guns, my breeder had one and it seemed to work well, and there's no wires which is a bonus.  

So am I to stick with the mv then? I'm using the clamp at the mo, should I take it off and use the stand? I'm thinking of biting the bullet and getting one of those uv detectors, do you think it's a good idea? I don't know how much the mv bulb is emitting, but according to the uv cards - which I know offer no accuracy - it says it's only getting low uv.  And if I did get a meter what kind of reading am I aiming for?

Sorry about all the questions! Am loving having Noddy but its so complicated!

Claire

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 05/06/2017 by tomtortoise@tovevalley.net

Yes ! MV bulbs are great. No need whatever to check the output.

Just relax & enjoy it.

Tom

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 05/06/2017 by Clairaloulou

Ok, I'll try and stop fretting!


Before I go, please can I ask what brand you use? 

Thanks for your help Tom 

Claire

Re: Am I getting it right?
Posted: 05/06/2017 by tomtortoise@tovevalley.net

100W Megaray UVB.

Don't change yours ! It will be fine for 2yrs.

Tom

 

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