How much wattage for tortoise uvb/heat??

Question

if i am considering buying a mercury vapor lamp (either t rex or zoo med) what wattage would you reccomend if the enclosure is about 36 x 12???

i know the size is small but i will get another soon

also my house is about 80-85 degrees in summer and goes down to about 65-70 in the winter

Answer 1

I use the 100w T-Rex UV/heat.

I understood it as 6 months of UV so,

I buy new ones each winter the small tortoises. I keep the old lamp for the heat for the larger ones that still get to go outside when FL weather permits in the winter.

There is a uv tester you can buy. I just buy new bulbs each winter to be sure. Total usage I get is two winters out of the bulbs before they blow. (about 16 -18 months). One winter as UV one as heat. (with longer use in fall & spring for smaller ones)

Please do not use these heat lamps in a glass tank.

HTH

Answer 2

Is that open topped or enclosed vivarium style.

If it is an enclosed vivarium then I would not use mercury vapour bulbs as they cannot be safely controlled.  If you put them on a thermostat then they explode.  Personally I would stick to thermostatically controlled ceramic heaters and UVB and Fll spectrum tubes in enclosed vivariums and just use Mercury ballast bulbs in open topped enclosures or large walk in enclosures to prevent accidental overheating of your pet.