uv light??

hello im the proud keeper of a 1year old hermanns tortoise..i keep him/her (we dont know yet) in a glass enclosure with a ceramic heatlamp and have recently fitted a uv light...he stays in the conservatory where its quite bright...how long does the light need to be on, i keep the heatlamp on constantly with the thermstat set at 30 degrees...please can you let me know about the light..thankyou..paula and leo

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Aug 24, 2009

Tortoise light
by: Shelly

First, be sure your light has both UVA and UVB. A tortoise needs both.

As for the amount of time that light should be on, it will help if you remember that it is replacing sunlight. So if there is sunlight, the lamp should be on.

The light alone is not enough. Tortoises need calcium to make proper use of the light. You can sprinkle calcium powder on food, or leave a cuttlebone where the tortoise can find it.

You didn't ask, but the glass enclosure might not be the best. If your tortoise starts trying to get out, cover the sides of the enclosure with something the tortoise can't see through.

Keep it slow and steady.

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