Habitat - Indoor :: uvb lamp question

[Starchick]

We're sorting out the logistics of making a rubbermaid enclosure for our new boxie, and I've got a question about the lighting. Since a rubbermaid container is so deep, I'm thinking that I probably won't be able to get a reptisun 5.0 low enough to the turtle to do him much good. Would using a reptisun 10.0 make enough of a difference? Or would I be better off to figure out a way to rig up the 5.0 closer to the ground? I think the 50 gallon containers are about 20 inches deep. So far all I can think of is either cutting a hole in the side of the container and reinforcing it to clamp the light to, or possibly getting one of those reptile lamp stands to sort of dangle the light into the enclosure. Helps appreciated!

[DavidY]

The 10.0's are supposed to be good for longer distances. Just make sure to follow the instructions during the "burn-in" period and keep close watch on the turtles eyes for any signs of irritation.

[jenaero]

I put an oven rack on the top and my lamp rests on that. I use the TRex Active UV Heat bulb (uva/uvb combo) or the Powersun (also a combo).

[Starchick]

I put an oven rack on the top and my lamp rests on that. I use the TRex Active UV Heat bulb (uva/uvb combo) or the Powersun (also a combo).

Interesting idea! What distance are those recommended for? And is there any risk of overheating a 50 gallon rubbermaid as there is with smaller aquariums?

[jenaero]

I don't remember what distance they're supposed to be, and I've never measured the depth of the tubs, but the temp is steady so I'm not real concerned. On really hot days (I have no AC and several lamps on in the room) I turn all the lamps off for an hour or so in the middle of the day just in case.

This is an old pic but you get the idea.

[jenaero]

Why don't my links work lately? arrggh

[DavidY]

The Active UV Heat bulbs (as well as most of the mercury vapor bulbs) must be a minimum of 12" from the animal. But their UV output is good out to a few feet. They do generate a lot of heat but you could raise it some if it gets too hot. I have mine right over my 40gal breeder tank and I don't have any problems with overheating.

[Starchick]

Wow, what a cool setup!

Did you just use a spare oven rack from your home? Can you just buy them by themselves?

[jenaero]

The first one was a spare, and when I got the second boxie I had to buy one. It was $3 at a used appliance store. Had to clean it up a bit.

[Starchick]

Here are the distance requirements listed for the T-Rex Active UV MVB at reptiledirect.com, I want to confirm that these are right, 6 inches seems awfully close! I figure that if I was to use the oven rack approach, the bulb would be 14-16 inches from the turtle, would the 100W still be effective, or should I go with the 160 and use a lamp stand to hold it higher up?

"WARNING
This lamp will work best in a perfectly vertical position, in a CERAMIC lamp fixture designed to take its wattage. Follow the guidelines for the minimum distance that the lamp should be used above your live reptiles and amphibians.
APPROXIMATE MINIMUM DISTANCE GUIDELINES

100 watt flood 6”

100 watt spot 18”

160 watt flood 18”

160 watt spot 36”

275 watt flood 24”

[DavidY]

I'm pretty sure the directions on the box for the 100w flood say minimum distance of 12". I think the 100w flood is perfect for your situation and lamp height.

[Starchick]

Thank you for the advice!

[steve]

There is a topic somewhere about this... hmmm..

here it is:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6146

[Starchick]

Hmm now I've got more questions! In that post people were talking about shortening the amount of time the light is on, either to prevent too much uvb or to more closely mimic the sun, but I've read elsewhere that box turtles need long 'days' to prevent them from thinking it's time to hibernate. Then again, there's a lot of crappy conflicting info on boxies. What do you think? For a 100 watt T Rex bulb 14 inches from the top of my box turtle, what is a good length of time to leave it on?

[SpotsMama]

The 6" distance that got published for a good distance for an MVB was a mistake. That close and it would cook the turtle.