Vitamins and other things...

[APhilmon]

I am curious, I have tried to find it on the forums, but could use a little help. Calcium and whatnot is the subject, and I was curious as to what product you recommend?

Also, UV lamps, what is the recommended brand of the forums? How long should I leave one on?

[AnythingWithAShell]

Nutrobal, limestone powder and cuttlefish are the most popular.

As for UVB lamps, if it's combined UVB/heat you're after, then Megaray or Solar Glo are popular. If it's separate UVB and basking lights you're after, then Repti Glo tubes or compacts are widely available, as are Arcadia, and some others I can't think of at the mo!

I personally use Repti Glo, cos they're widely available in my area.

Almost forgot, your lights should be on for 12 hours a day, although some recommend longer at this time of year to trick them into thinking it's still summer!

[APhilmon]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply, but now I have more questions, I just looked it up on Amazon, and wow.... A bunch of results.

I have questions of wattage and style. There are plenty of Repti Glo, I just have no clue which wattage! Someone made a comment about spiral bulbs not being recommended, saying they cause swollen eyes... I don't see that the shape of a bulb can cause an issue with eyes being swollen.

Amazon.com: repti glo - Home & Garden

The above link shows a large list of bulbs from Repti Glo, I have no clue where to go with it. And from what I understand, these are not used for warmth correct? Just UVB?

Also I am looking at the vitamins/calcium... What brands do you recommend there?

[AnythingWithAShell]

Your UVB lamps don't give out the heat you need for tortoises. You need to have a separate basking lamp, which can be a normal household reflector spotbulb. This is what you use if you get a separate UVB bulb.

Or, you can get a Megaray or Solar Glo, which give out UVB and heat. These are combined bulbs (MVBs) and although more expensive to begin with, they are cheaper long run as they don't need replaced so often (every 2 years-ish I believe). UVB bulbs need to be replaced every 6 months, NOT every year as stated on the packaging!

If using separates, you should use a 10.0 UVB bulb, tubes are better as they cover more area. You should get the longest one you can for your enclosure.

I'm not sure on wattages for UVB tubes, just as long as it's a 10.0 and the longest one for your enclosure, allowing the maximum coverage.

For a basking lamp, usually a 40-60W spotbulb will do it, just so long as you mount/suspend the lamp in such a way that it can be adjusted, to maintain the right temps.

For the combineds, the wattage depends on the size of your enclosure.

[AnythingWithAShell]

oooh forgot to answer about the vitamins!

That's Nutrobal. The limestone flour and cuttlefish are for calcium. Shelled Warriors sell everything tort relatede so you can get it there, or eBay, or an equestrian shop I believe.

Cuttlefish you can't get cheaper online than your local petshop will sell it for (in my experience!) I got 5 seriously huge pieces, like over a foot long and about 6 inches wide, for £4!

[APhilmon]

So basically a combined bulb is the best bet, but would I have to get a suspended mount? Ugh, sometimes this is difficult... Is there a central location that has all the information about this type of stuff? I checked the care sheets, and unfortunately, even with all the info, sometimes those specific details are left out.

Cuttlefish? Sticks? Do you just put them in the enclosure? I understand powders, and just dusting the vegetables. But all of this is rather new to me. I am so used to owning a dog and knowing what to do there is so much up my alley. But as I said in my first post, I had to snag this guy because he just wasn't being taken care of at all...

[-EJ]

Centrum Silver is still the most complete and balanced multivitamin available. I've been using it on reptiles for over 25 years with great results until recently when I started using Mazuri Tortoise diet. The only thing I now add is calcium carbonate.

UVB is not required if you are using any of the above.

[APhilmon]

So either UVB or calcium supplements? Cna you seriously use Centrum Silver on Tortoises? I thought there was something specific for reptiles and human supplements weren't to be used? Aren't there some vitamins/minerals in the Centrum bad for the Tortoises?

[AnythingWithAShell]

Combineds are defintely the best bet. They should be suspended, as I've read the bulbs struggle and can damage eyes if they're at an angle. You can suspend it from a hanging basket bracket or something, as long as it's really strong and not going to fall down! But you should avoid anything flammable under the basking lamp anyway, just in case!

I don't use combineds yet, as I can't afford to change all mine over!

Also, what type of tort is it? For most torts, you should steer clear of veg. There's a fabulous sticky on the main shelled page with safe foods, if you haven't already seen it

So are you going to go for a combined bulb? I can give you some links where you can buy these from if you want? It is confusing, there are so many different bulbs and holders etc etc!

let me know what lighting system you're going for, and I'll happily give you some links for good online shops. Like I said, combined can be more expensive to set up, but unless you already have a starter unit for a tube light, and a clampy type lamp for a basking bulb, then you may as well splash out and set up a combined.

[AnythingWithAShell]

Originally Posted by -EJ

Centrum Silver is still the most complete and balanced multivitamin available. I've been using it on reptiles for over 25 years with great results until recently when I started using Mazuri Tortoise diet. The only thing I now add is calcium carbonate.

UVB is not required if you are using any of the above.

I was going to ask you about this Ed, cos I sw a post of yours before about it. It's interesting.