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 #1789253


Dragongirl6
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 Too much UVB?

We have (ancient, decrepit, rescue) Eastern Box Turtles. Wondering if a MVB as well as a reptiglo 8.0 18" tube in a 5 foot long x about 3 foot deep enclosure could be too much UVB? I put in the MVB because the only tube fixture that fits on the screws is 18", which isn’t enough.

Thanks! I’m not a huge turtle/tortoise person, I just redid all the reptiles at the store/rescue I work at. They are store pets, been there for something like 18 years since the store opened. I mostly do beardeds, leos, snakes, and anoles/house geckos. So any advice/help is appreciated.

p.s. they are on reptile carpet with a sit in tub of water, eat mustard greens, collard greens, endive, escarole, butternut squash, cantaloupe, shredded carrots, kale, and butternut squash, with some other fruits as treats. Is that right? I dust with calcium powder (phosphorous/d3 free, what I use for the dragons) but I could switch to D3 if needed (seems like they get enough from the UVB). I’ve recently become in charge of a bunch of new reptiles, just want to make sure I’ve got it all right so we are selling healthy animals. Also just got in six baby Russian Torts (but we couldn’t find CB ones ANYWHERE!!).
07/09/08  11:46pm

 #1789963


RepticTay
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1789253


 Too much UVB?

I would imagine just a reptiglo would be fine for the turtles, many caresheets do not mention MVB aswell as UVB, they just say a normal good brand of UV light is fine.

This is just for cold days and winter months of the year, during summer they should be outdoors with natural Heat, and UV from the sun, so no lighting is needed right?

So id imagine during cold days of the year, the reptiglo will do jsut fine.
07/10/08  03:06pm

 #1793729


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1789963


 Too much UVB?

They don’t go outside during the summer. For one thing, it doesn’t get that warm here. And for another, they live in a store. We don’t have a yard or anywhere they could go.

I know that one or the other would be sufficient, I’m just wondering if having both would be harmful. The cage is too dark on one end (it’s large, as I said) with just one or the other, and I’d prefer for it to be brighter.

BTW, it’s UVB lighting, not UV. UV is in all light, it’s UVB that’s important.
07/13/08  03:14pm

 #1794526


RepticTay
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1793729


 Too much UVB?

I am not meaning to be funny, ot sound aragont but boxies and tortoises NEED an outdoor enclosure aswell as indoors.

I know its UVB, i have an old key board and sometimes buttons stick.

Anyhow, to much light can hurt a turtle or tortoises eyes, and cause damage sometimes.
07/14/08  06:52am

 #1795560


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1794526


 Too much UVB?

Hmmm...seems odd that these have been happy and healthy for 18 years indoors with artificial UVB lighting then...

I’m not saying you are arrogant or funny, I think it would be great if they could go outside. However, they can’t. Unless you suggest we put them out on the front door step lol.

Also, if too much visible light can hurt their eyes, why do you think they need an outdoor enclosure? The sun is VERY bright, much brighter than any bulb. Wouldn’t that hurt their eyes too? They have hiding logs and such that they can go under if they want dark, and their eyes seem fine. Their only problems are that they came to us with deformed feet (past metabolic bone disease if they weren’t birth defects), worms, etc. but have since been wormed and grown and their soft feet have hardened and they get around just fine. They seem quite content. One of them is small, but it came as an adult very small, grew a bit with us, then stopped. I think that’s just permanent. Someone else used to be in charge of them and did a great job, I just don’t have time to ask her anything so I wanted to be sure I’m doing the best I can.

Remember these aren’t my animals. I take care of them for a pet store/rescue, so I can’t really take them home to bring them outside. They aren’t mine.

Why do they need to go outside so much if I am providing twice the recommended UVB lighting and calcium powder with D3?
07/14/08  10:29pm

 #1795917


RepticTay
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1795560


 Too much UVB?

Outdoors should be in part shade and part sun.

But all im saying is, its a known fact outdoors is best for ALL tortoises and box turtles.
its a real shame they cannot go outdoors.

I know your just a carer of them for a store or rescue, but even so..they still should be outdoors in the summer times.

They are not a like a cat or a ferret that can liveindoors all their lives, the natural UV from the sun is much better than artificial uvb lighting.
07/15/08  07:37am

 #1797101


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1795917


 Too much UVB?

Yes, and that is true for all animals. Unfortunately, captive animals can’t get every benefit that wild animals get. However, ours are far over 18 years old and very healthy. I just wanted to make sure I couldn’t overdo UVB.

For the record, we live in a climate that rarely gets above 70 F. I’m sure they are much happier indoors with heated caging.
07/15/08  10:33pm


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