Hi,
I have a brand new tortoise named Twix, a baby Hermann! She is so lovely!
I have a tortoise table, and purchased a MVB 100W for heat/light/UVB. The 100W was only getting temps of 25 so I upgraded to a 160W which provides temps of 26. I am measuring with 2 different probe themometres, directly under lamp at shell height. My room is at a constant 20C.
My question is, can I add an additonal basking 100W bulb alongside the 160W MVB? I have done this for her and it's bringing temps up to 30 which is what I want. No amount of online research has helped with whether this is ok/nobody else seems to have this set up. They are positioned next to each other, each in a separate reflector dome.
Happy to get a T5 12% for UVB and get rid of MVB but it's a lot of money just to throw away if this could work! I have looked into CHB but these seem more for nighttime heat which I don't need.
Will two lamps be too much light for her? Will this set up cause any problems?
Any help/advice would be most welcome x
Tortoise table heating
Re: Tortoise table heating
Hi Laura,
Congratulations on welcoming Twix into your family! It looks like you did your research first, which is great (you wouldn't believe how many people don't and end up with big problems). Your set-up looks fine, and it is absolutely fine to have a second bulb alongside your MVB to get the temperature up. You can, of course, lower any bulb to increase the temperature, but with an MVP there is a minimum distance advised by the manufacturer, and you can't lower it any more than that or the UVB will be too close to the tortoise, which can be a bit irritating. That's the downside of MVBs and why many people have the separate fluorescent tube for UVB, but the MVBs provide a good quality UVB and there is no need for you to switch - I would stick with this now and then when it comes time to change the bulb you could think about moving to a fluorescent tube if you want to.
You definitely don't need a CHE unless the temperature drops below about 14C at night, so no need for that. The only other thing I would say is if we get a heat wave, and the temperature in the room goes way above 20, then your 160W bulb could make it too hot in the table, and you would have to raise it up higher, but it sounds to me like you've got everything spot on.
There is no problem at all with having extra light. What you want to do is to simulate a really bright summer's day, and an ordinary bulb is usually much less bright than that, so I think more light (as long as it doesn't make it too hot) is absolutely fine, and in fact desirable. Also, your lights are at one end of the table (which is correct), so if Twix (love the name!) for some reason found it too bright or too warm, there are plenty of places of shade and cooler areas in the other half where he can go. Tortoises do need to move from cooler to warmer areas throughout the day in order to thermoregulate, so you've set it up just right. And it also looks like you've made a nice environment for Twix in that table. Will he have an outdoor area to go to as well?
Can we see a photo of the very handsome Twix? We never tire of looking at photos of lovely little tortoises!
Nina
Congratulations on welcoming Twix into your family! It looks like you did your research first, which is great (you wouldn't believe how many people don't and end up with big problems). Your set-up looks fine, and it is absolutely fine to have a second bulb alongside your MVB to get the temperature up. You can, of course, lower any bulb to increase the temperature, but with an MVP there is a minimum distance advised by the manufacturer, and you can't lower it any more than that or the UVB will be too close to the tortoise, which can be a bit irritating. That's the downside of MVBs and why many people have the separate fluorescent tube for UVB, but the MVBs provide a good quality UVB and there is no need for you to switch - I would stick with this now and then when it comes time to change the bulb you could think about moving to a fluorescent tube if you want to.
You definitely don't need a CHE unless the temperature drops below about 14C at night, so no need for that. The only other thing I would say is if we get a heat wave, and the temperature in the room goes way above 20, then your 160W bulb could make it too hot in the table, and you would have to raise it up higher, but it sounds to me like you've got everything spot on.
There is no problem at all with having extra light. What you want to do is to simulate a really bright summer's day, and an ordinary bulb is usually much less bright than that, so I think more light (as long as it doesn't make it too hot) is absolutely fine, and in fact desirable. Also, your lights are at one end of the table (which is correct), so if Twix (love the name!) for some reason found it too bright or too warm, there are plenty of places of shade and cooler areas in the other half where he can go. Tortoises do need to move from cooler to warmer areas throughout the day in order to thermoregulate, so you've set it up just right. And it also looks like you've made a nice environment for Twix in that table. Will he have an outdoor area to go to as well?
Can we see a photo of the very handsome Twix? We never tire of looking at photos of lovely little tortoises!
Nina
Re: Tortoise table heating
Hi Nina,
Thankyou so much for your reply! You have put me at ease. It made sense to me using an additonal lamp to add extra heat but as I could see no advice online of this anywhere, it made me question if it was right. The readings I was getting from the MVBs were at their minimum height so no way of lowering/gaining more heat from them. I didn't realise this until after purchase, I just assumed that they move higher and lower depending on what temperature you needed.
Yes, I purchased an indoor guinea pig cage, as recommended from the breeder. This will be used for outdoors. I've basically replicated the indoor set up in that enclosure with substrate/hides/plants. She hasn't been out yet as its been very chilly here the past week. Winter coats have been on us humans! I have a large fenced off area in the garden she will progress to when she is a lot bigger.
I have attached a few photos. One of her tucked up asleep this evening and the other enjoying some breakfast
Thankyou so much for your reply! You have put me at ease. It made sense to me using an additonal lamp to add extra heat but as I could see no advice online of this anywhere, it made me question if it was right. The readings I was getting from the MVBs were at their minimum height so no way of lowering/gaining more heat from them. I didn't realise this until after purchase, I just assumed that they move higher and lower depending on what temperature you needed.
Yes, I purchased an indoor guinea pig cage, as recommended from the breeder. This will be used for outdoors. I've basically replicated the indoor set up in that enclosure with substrate/hides/plants. She hasn't been out yet as its been very chilly here the past week. Winter coats have been on us humans! I have a large fenced off area in the garden she will progress to when she is a lot bigger.
I have attached a few photos. One of her tucked up asleep this evening and the other enjoying some breakfast
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Re: Tortoise table heating
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for the photos of Twix -- she's gorgeous, and you've created such a nice environment for her. I used to use an indoor guinea pig cage for mine when they were little (it was 4' x 2', so lasted quite a ling time and worked well, but eventually I had one made.
Where do you live? I'm in Oxford in the UK, and mine have been out for most of the day over the last two weeks, as we've had good temperatures, into the low 20s in the shade and warmer in the sunshine. If you can be outdoors in a t-shirt then your tortoise can go out. They can also go out for short times if it's a bit cool. What I do is warm mine up well under the lamp, put them out into a sunny spot and then every now and then feel their shells and if they are starting to cool down I bring them in for another warm up and put them out again.
The only thing you need to watch out for in a guinea pig type enclosure use outdoors is if you have a sudden heavy rain. Because there aren't drainage holes in the bottom it can soon fill up with water.
I'm wishing for lots of sunshine for you and Twix over the coming weeks!
Cheers,
Nina
Thanks so much for the photos of Twix -- she's gorgeous, and you've created such a nice environment for her. I used to use an indoor guinea pig cage for mine when they were little (it was 4' x 2', so lasted quite a ling time and worked well, but eventually I had one made.
Where do you live? I'm in Oxford in the UK, and mine have been out for most of the day over the last two weeks, as we've had good temperatures, into the low 20s in the shade and warmer in the sunshine. If you can be outdoors in a t-shirt then your tortoise can go out. They can also go out for short times if it's a bit cool. What I do is warm mine up well under the lamp, put them out into a sunny spot and then every now and then feel their shells and if they are starting to cool down I bring them in for another warm up and put them out again.
The only thing you need to watch out for in a guinea pig type enclosure use outdoors is if you have a sudden heavy rain. Because there aren't drainage holes in the bottom it can soon fill up with water.
I'm wishing for lots of sunshine for you and Twix over the coming weeks!
Cheers,
Nina
Re: Tortoise table heating
Thanks for the advice re outside. I only got her last week, we started with two 30C days temps so I got the outside cage ready to then be hit with 14C for the rest of the week. Today is much warmer but with a very cool breeze. I shall be putting her outside when I get home to enjoy the sun and will bear your advice in mind. I am based in Norfolk 
I was told by the breeder to pop holes into the bottom of the guinea pig cage. I am yet to do that but will be home every time she is outside. I work from home so Im there most of the time. Will watch for those downpours!
Thanks again for all of your help and advice
I was told by the breeder to pop holes into the bottom of the guinea pig cage. I am yet to do that but will be home every time she is outside. I work from home so Im there most of the time. Will watch for those downpours!
Thanks again for all of your help and advice
Re: Tortoise table heating
I think she will absolutely thrive under your care, and I hope you both have lots of sunshine and yummy weeds this summer.
Nina
Nina
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