Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Based on posts I was looking into getting a mercury vapor 160 watt zoomed light for my yellow-foot tortoise. I know yellow-foots aren't really fond of bright light. I would like to hear about any positive or negative experiences with these lights. I don't want to waste money if it will freak the little guy out. Thanks in advance.
Steve

Steve,

I've used both the Capture the Sun (by Big Apple Herp) and the ZooMed lamps (100 watt). The ZooMed does not seem to be as bright as the CTS, even though the wattage is the same. I do think mercury vapor lamps are superior to fluorescent. You should be able to buy a ZooMed bulb locally and see if your tortoise likes it. Are you sure you need a 160 watt? My 100 watt provides a good gradient for an indoor pen measuring 2' x 3' with approx. 10" sides, open top (converted bookcase).

HTH!
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

I like em alot. I'm not sure if there is any benefit but the tortoises seem to like them also.
If you have a large enclosure the 160w would be about this time of year. For the most part they don't throw a whole lot of heat.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

My greeks hated it. Hid from it for the three weeks I used it (a 100 watt flood). I took it out and put the florecent and spot light back and they are back to their old selves.

I am keeping redfoots and I feel, that the brightness is not a concern as long as they are offered plenty of hiding places to feel secure (hide houses - half flower pots, areas with dense plants - artificial ones for now in my case, because they eat everything that is green). That way they might not be fully exposed to the light at all times, but even shorter periods are beneficial. Mine often are half digged into the moist spaghnum moss, but the head, front limbs and part of the carapace are exposed, as they like to observe, what's going on.
So I think, even though they might take a bit of time to get used to the intensity of the light, they will get used to it and start benefitting from it.
After all, these lamps are supposed to put out more UVB after a year of operation than a Reptisun 5.0 that is new.

My personal challenge is to find a good brand in Canada. Only the T-Rex brand is available here, and I used 4 bulbs in a bit more than a year. They simply break (even though they are never srewed in and out and are held by a lamp stand that protects from shaking / knocking it). And sending them to California for a refund every time is quite a drag, even though I sweared to myself, that with the last one, that I bought recently, I would, accompanied by an appropriate letter. I spent almost 400$ within a year to operate one lamp at a time.
This week I just put in an order to Big Apple Herpetological for a Powersun and 2 Capture the Sun Bulbs for comparison. It will still be cheaper for me to pay for shipping, customs and broker, if these hold up for at least a year each.
I like the principle of these Capture the Sun bulbs,- they work without a filament (and are the cheapest ones of the three types). And I think, that the filament is the weak part of at least the T-Rex bulbs.
Any input from other people concerning life span of the various brands (even though I realize, that even these bulbs should be changed after about a year, at least for the basking species) would be very appreciated!

Thanks, Gaby

but my Capture the Sun died after a couple month's use. I did like it, though--and Big Apple was very good about taking it back and sending me a new one (just got it; I haven't even opened it yet), even though I send it back regular mail and they couldn't find it in their warehouse. That's just my experience; maybe it will last longer for you.

Right now I'm using a ZooMed (one month). I think it's just a matter of luck. I know Ed has bulbs that have worked for several years.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

>> Based on posts I was looking into getting a mercury vapor >160 watt zoomed light for my yellow-foot tortoise. I know >yellow-foots aren't really fond of bright light.

I use Capture the Sun 100w flood lights for my Redfoots and they seem to enjoy it very much. The will hide occasionaly, but for the most part, they like to bask under it.

Hope this helps.
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Kelly Wood

1.1 Cherry Head Redfoots

1.2 Brazillian Redfoots

0.0.4 Leopard tortoises

1.1 Sandfire Bearded Dragons

0.2 Dogs

1.3 Parakeets

Thanks everyone!
I just have one more question. Right now I keep my baby yellow-foot in a 100 gallon reptarium. Do you think a 100 watt would be strong enough or should I go with the 160 watt zoomed. Thanks, steve

I'd recommend the 160w for a 100 gal. That's about 6 feet long and 20 to 24 inches high. I don't think the 100w would throw enough heat if that is what you are looking for.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

np
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko