Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, I have a 7 month old redfoot and was wondering which heat emitter is better of the two for my tort. I live in Texas and the overall temp in my torts enclosure is around 75-82 ambient temps...I have a 60watt ultra violet basking lamp in the warmer side it gets up to 95 degrees under this lamp and the temp on the cool side is around 72-75. Does anybody think that Maybe I Dont Need to buy a Creamic Heat emitter after all??? Please give me Constructive points of view on both why I do or Dont need a ceramic heat emitter....Thanks

I have zoo-med ceramic bulbs, they are nice but I cant compare them to pearlco, pearlco is cheaper from the bean farm (i can reccomend the bean farm for all those type of needs, they are good people), Which type of uv are you using, murcury vapor, Or is the bulb one of those "night light uv" bulbs, they look like a purple or red incandescent? If its that type id ditch it alltogether and get a real uv bulb like an arcadia or zoomed compact flourescent or possibly a murcury vapor. The temps sound ok but I think that it might be a bit cold when the uv bulb goes off at night. My theory is this: I use seperates whenever possible, dedicated uv and heat bulbs, that way the uv can be on only durring the day and the heat can stay on all the time (if its ceramic, no light...), just my theory...
-Ian

Actually Ian, I am using an All Living Things UVA Basking Bulb from Petsmart. I keep it on about 12 hours a day, then switch to a 75 watt Exo Terra Night Glo black light to keep night time temps up . I was wondering if I could get by using another spot lamp at night w/ another black light or just purchase a 100 watt ceramic heat emitter to keep more consistent temps at night... Thanks~

Home Depot has started to carry infrared heat bulbs which are marketed for bathroom, kitchen and pet use. The bulbs are red tinted so they are ideal for night and day use. They cost $9 each.

Given the thousands of the dollars I am spending on accessories, I have gone to using these. So far, they are more reliable than most of the $35-50 UV Heat bulbs and have not burned out.

They are a good alternative.

Paul

First I will explain why I think your setup is lacking, then ill try and help suggest a better option. First ill say that it is good that you have done more that just throw it in a shoebox and expect it to survive like many owners do, your setup is on the right track. Heres the problem...

Your uv bulb as you have described puts out UVA rays, while UVA is beneficial (psycological mostly) they are not the UV rays your tort needs most. Your tort needs UVB rays to help him/her to make vitamin D3 (vitamin D3 helps reptiles absorb calcium). So essentially the bulb you have is only partially beneficial.

Think about the black light "night" bulb you are using. There is no natural black light. Would you want to sleep with a black light on, Im guessing no, Its like an acid trip or rave all night! I am not a fan of any type of light emitting night light, I think that many others will agree.

The good news is this. As you said, you got all that stuff at petsmart. At petsmart there are better options.

First for UV i would use something like the zoomed reptisun 5.0 of a true murcury vapor bulb, just make sure that it provides UVB rays. I have arcadia compact flourescent "reptile D3" lights from the bean farm (i think its beanfarm.com). Something along these lines would be better.

Second, ditch the black light (unless you paint your torts enclosure with day glow paint, just kidding), get a ceramic heat emitter, Petsmart sells zoomed, they do the job just fine. You may also want something that provides heat and light (high wattage incandescent works just fine) for daytime use.

Basically what you will have is the ceramic heat emitter running 24/7, the UVB bulb running durring the day along with the incandescent if you need a bit more daytime heat.

Im not trying to bash your setup so please dont take any of this the wrong way. It took me a while to figure all this out so I figure I should give my small amount of knowlege to anyone I can!!!

Hope this helps!
-Ian

Thanks for the Positive Criticism Ian, First off let me Correct myself about the black light it is Actually a Exo-Terra Night Glo bulb in a dark blue color...I Read on Melissa Kaplans website about proper Herp Care that Black lights are to be avoided cuz they can harm your reptiles eyes,But She states that the Night Glo Bulbs are a Safe alternative Whew !!! Now I Need to Go Out an Purchase a True UVB producing flourescent bulb...It;s too bad that they dont make a More Compact UVB bulb on the market even though ESU claims to have on in there super coil bulbs that only give off 3 or 6% uvb...Oh Well, My little Guy is worth it !!!! Ciao

Zoo med makes a 10.0% UVB compact flourescent, and the arcadia compact flourescent is 7% UVB, try one of those!!!, even dark blue though id ditch it and run a ceramic heater 24/7, I think its a better alternative. And you are 100% right , your little guy is worth it!!!
-Ian
One more thing to consider, if the ceramic puts out too much heat buy a thermostat (I use the "Alife" model from bean farm for about $30, its great!) so you can dial in the temp you want and not have to worry about it!!!

Thanks for the Info Ian, Would 10%, 7% or even 5% UVB be the optimum amount for a growing redfoot? Which one do you think would be best and why? Thanks~

I really dont know, I would assume the more the better, think about it, the sun has got to put of WAY more than 10% UVB, outside is very good for torts so I say the more the better. But Im sure that any of those three is adequate. An oral D3 supplement like repcal calcium/D3 is a good idea too. Also remember that the bulbs should be changed every 6 months to a year, as the UVB wears out. The light will still function but will no longer put out any useful UVB light. Replacing every 6 months can be expensive so price may be a worthwhile consideration.

-Ian

I, too, like the idea of heat and light for day use (ceramic emitter can be supplemental to other light/heat source if needed,) and heat only at night, for which the ceramic emitter is truly ideal. As to which emitter, I've had first hand experience with several brands and the Pearlco's are in a class by themselves - absolutely the best: last the longest and throw the most heat. They come in a variety of wattages and any wattage can be put on a rheostat or thermostat for precise control (the best strategy: buy a little more wattage than you really need, then put it on a good quality thermostat.)
I also agree that the Bean Farm is an excellent supplier -
LLL Reptile is too. Several wattages of the Pearlco's have recently been out of stock throughout the U.S. (they're made in England,) but I'm told most online suppliers are expecting to be restocked within the next week or two. I placed an order for ten additional Pearlco's over a month ago and have chosen to wait on the big shipment from the U.K, rather than "settle" for one of the other brands.

Now I know What Brand I will be Purchasing after hearing your First hand experience w/ Zoo-med an Pearlco...My little guy Deserves the best Heat source available for the buck !!!

Not sure what your night time temps get down to but I don't think night time heat is all that important. If it doesn't drop much below 70, I think you should be fine with a redfoot.

I've had success just using Zoo Med Power Sun bulbs for heat and UVB light during the day. I also use Zoo Meds 5.0 bulbs but don't think they do much more than provide additional light intensity after the first couple months of use in my situation.

Jbly