Ive just set Percy up in a fancy new large rabbit cage. My problem is that even though his thermostat is on almost constantly, hardly any heat is retained.

I thought a serperate reflector (the lamp has one built in to the bulb), or a higher wattage lamp would work better? Im stumped!!

Hi

Can you let me know what lighting etc you are using at the moment, and describe how it is set up please and also what sort of tortoise Percy is?  Where in the enclosure are you having the problem maintaining the temperature?  I never use a thermostat for my indoor enclosures, as long as the basking temperature is OK, ambient room temperature of around 18-22C for the rest of the enclosure is fine. 

All the best

Arlene TPG

Ooh sorry. Hes a Hermanns Tortoise, about 3 years old.
Im using a 10.0 UVB strip light, and a 100w infra red heat lamp. The heat lamp seems to stay on forever, and he seems to sit under it for ages - which he didnt used to do. It seems to lose heat from everywhere as its open topped. Ive uploaded a picture. Hope this helps!

Hiya,

As Arlene has suggested, I would dispense with the thermostat completely. It looks as though you have the wrong lamp, these red bulbs aren't recommended for spot bulbs. If you change it for a 100w spot lamp, something like this one:-

http://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/images/lights/reflector-5040d.jpg

and adjust the height of the lamp so the basking area is around 90deg f - you will probably find your tortoise will be able to attain the temperature he/she requires more quickly. Have you measured the temperature under the lamp you have at the moment?

HTH

Darren

Hi - yes, as Darren has said you need an ordinary 100w spot bulb for your tortoise to bask under.  You will need to experiement with the height it is at to get the right temperature underneath for a basking spot, but once you get it right, the light shouldnt need any more adjustment.  The other thing I would suggest is that you move the light from the middle of the enclosure where it is at the moment, to one end.  The reason for this is that you need to create a temperature gradient across the enclosure - basking temp at one end, down to normal room temp at the other.  Tortoises are cold blooded and cannot self regulate their body temperature, so the only way they can cool down or warm up, is to move to a cooler or warmer area.  All the lights need to be turned off at night.

Hope this helps,

Arlene TPG

Cool, so he needs a proper sunlight style basking bulb? He wont be too cold at night if its turned off will he?
Thanks for all the advice guys!

Hi - Just an ordinary household spot bulb will be fine for the basking lamp, although you may have problems finding a 100w bulb due to the new regulations, you should still be able to get hold of 60w, just position it (safeley) a little lower to get the right heat,  he will of course need a uv lamp as well.

Yes, he will be fine at night in the house with no heat, especially at this time of year!

all the best

Arlene TPG

Hello, I am fairly new here, Am learning so much from reading through the threads. I don't own a Tortoise as yet :). I have one question please, Do you use the Basking light and the UV light at the same time?

Hi,  to our site, glad to hear you are picking up some good tips, and its great to do loads of research before getting a tortoise.

Yes you do need a basking light and UV.  You can either have a basking bulb (spot reflector bulb from B&Q or supermarket will do) and a uv strip, Reptisun 10 is a high uv output, or you can buy a combined uv/heat lamp, example of one is 'Megaray'.  We have a link in the links section to Kimbo's reptile supplies if you want to look them up.

Any further queries just let us know, lots of people on hand to answer them. 

Regards Vivienne ps also a good idea to look through our care sheets, see under 'The Tortoise' on the left.

Hi Vivienne

Thanks so much for the reply, When u use the basking lamp and uv light, Do u use them at the same time together? If so how long for? I am so into this site, it's full of great info!
Thanks so much Claire

Hi Claire,

They both need to be used at the same time. Tortoises will absorb the vitamin D3 from the UVB rays more efficiently when warm. Best to have the tube and the heat source as close together as possible, as your tortoise will be attracted to the heat and so benefit from the UVB too. If you put both on first thing in the morning and turn them off when your tortoises have put themselves away.

Glad you like the site:-)

HTH
Darren

Hi Thanks for the response, was just what I thought:) Claire

Hello, Looking at your picture of Percys' cage, Did you take the plug off the basking lamp cable? Forgive me asking a really silly question, how did you get the cable fed through. I am new to this, as you can probably tell lol...I am getting my baby Tortoise next week, and will get the same set up as you.:) Im sitting here thinking how the cable got through. hehe Thanks Claire

Hi Claire, you could take the plug off and feed it through the bars.  With the cage I use there is a door on the top and mine just passes through that, its whatever you find easiest.

Regards Vivienne