Hello. I know this may sound like a really silly question but it is some thing that im worried about. I am planning on getting my first tort and have a tortise table made out of wood. It is lined with pond liner and i will be using 50/50 soil and sand. I have a 125W heat/UVB lamp. I will be out for part of the day and i have concerns that if the light needs to be on for 12 hours, is there a risk of the light causing a fire? Does any body put somting in the basking spot for the tort or do you just put it onto the substrate? thank you Karen

Hi Karen, it is best to be on the safe side and put a smoke alarm close by the table, as fires can start anywhere,(electric lights, water wood etc). 

It is safer using sand and soil (instead of some other substrates), I put a piece of thick slate under my lamps, this heats up for the tort to bask on, dont us a thin piece as this can warm up too quickly and get too hot.

Regards Vivienne