Help with heating.. my new tortoise xx

[xxxkimmixxx]

I have just bought an African Leopard tortoise (Wilson) he is 16 months old and about 3 inches long. He is small enough to be in a two ft viv at the min which i purchased with him.. I am told it is a UV bulb that is in there and that because the viv is small this will surfice.. However, i have read that the basking heat should be 35 and the normal 27 and night 19.. if this is right then the light is only giving about 22-24 on its own and i am worried it is too cold so my thinking is to put a thermostat heat mat under the lamp to create the basking heat.. Now heres where im lost.. will some say yu need this this and this and it cost this much and its from here please.. i cant make a decision when theres so much out there... Ant other advice is welcomed xxxxx

[POAGeckos]

Originally Posted by xxxkimmixxx

I have just bought an African Leopard tortoise (Wilson) he is 16 months old and about 3 inches long. He is small enough to be in a two ft viv at the min which i purchased with him.. I am told it is a UV bulb that is in there and that because the viv is small this will surfice.. However, i have read that the basking heat should be 35 and the normal 27 and night 19.. if this is right then the light is only giving about 22-24 on its own and i am worried it is too cold so my thinking is to put a thermostat heat mat under the lamp to create the basking heat.. Now heres where im lost.. will some say yu need this this and this and it cost this much and its from here please.. i cant make a decision when theres so much out there... Ant other advice is welcomed xxxxx

You should not use a heat mat, you should have a basking heat lamp.

[xxxkimmixxx]

Ty and pardon my ignorance but if i get a basking heat lamp will that not give wilson the UV light that the other does.. but there isnt room for both xxx

[reptilehotel]

Originally Posted by xxxkimmixxx

I have just bought an African Leopard tortoise (Wilson) he is 16 months old and about 3 inches long. He is small enough to be in a two ft viv at the min which i purchased with him.. I am told it is a UV bulb that is in there and that because the viv is small this will surfice.. However, i have read that the basking heat should be 35 and the normal 27 and night 19.. if this is right then the light is only giving about 22-24 on its own and i am worried it is too cold so my thinking is to put a thermostat heat mat under the lamp to create the basking heat.. Now heres where im lost.. will some say yu need this this and this and it cost this much and its from here please.. i cant make a decision when theres so much out there... Ant other advice is welcomed xxxxx

First of all don’t ever use a heat mat with your tortoises. Second you will still need your UVB tube that you got with him the only thing you seem to be lacking is a heat element this can be provided by a ceramic bulb on a thermostat, so you can control the night time temp and the day time temp (the best choice in my opinion) this should be mounted on the top of you vivarium at one end creating a temperature gradient.
Other ways to heat your tank are using basking spot bulbs but this won’t solve your problem of heating the tank on a night time.
Hope this helps
Craig

[xxxkimmixxx]

ty craig.. now im even more confused as i went to the local exotic pet shop today to ask their advice and came away with a heat mat even though they had bulbs they said this was the best way.. I have put it in and hes settled on it and is more active and warmer to touch.. why is this wrong if you dont mind me asking xx