All Turtles Message Board

fishrmann2 · Level 2 Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 38

I was just curiuos about UVB lighting. Can the turtles absorb these rays while they are in the water or does the light need to be focused on their basking area?

Thanks,
Nick

dixieee · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject:

UV rays shouldn't be screened by anything so i think it applies to water as well

fishrmann2 · Level 2 Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 38

How do you have your lights set up then? I have two hatchlings in a 30 gallon tank. I have rocks that slope up on one end where they bask. I placed the basking light in the back left corner.

I have a 24" light that goes across the length of the tank and I pushed it to the front of the tank..... are they getting anything from that light?

rachelmarie · Level 3 Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 309

yes, my uv light is just like yours. even though the light may not be directly above and shining down on their basking area, the light is still there. think about the sun. even if the clouds are there, you're still getting the uv's! even if you're in an area where the sun isn't beating right now on you .. you're still getting sun.

turn your basking light off and look at where the uv light shines. and vice versa. see how much light goes away when you turn the uv light off and turn the basking light on. i think you are just fine with your setup and you shouldn't worry.

fishrmann2 · Level 2 Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 38

Great! Thank you for your help!

Is the rule pretty much the stronger the better on the UVB?

dixieee · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 5:01 pm Post subject:

i didn't say it was bad..i just said they can be easily filtered by anything..sorry

rachelmarie · Level 3 Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 309

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1227

The water will reflect some of the UVB rays but your turtles will get enough if it is running the length of your tank. Make sure you remove the glass pad the lights rest on as the rays will not be able to penatrate it. I have one tank that came with a screen and I removed it for the same reason. You will have to clean your light fixture to get the most life from it as the condensation builds up and will cause some damage.

Jericho199 · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject:

kevin89 · Level 2 Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 66

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:07 am Post subject:

There is a type of glass that does allow the UV rays to reach the turtle, but are you willing to risk your turtle's health on it?? I don't have a hood on my tank, for one, because I don't have one that will fit, but it did fit on the original tank and I didn't use that one either for the same reason, the UV ray won't go through the glass or heavy screen(I don't mean weight btw)
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dixieee · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 9:31 am Post subject:

the light does get through yeah but the needed stuff will be filtered..it's better to get a screen or something with holes to allow the light go in as it is
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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

kevin89 · Level 2 Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 66

Thing is my friend got glass undeath him i ask him how he know the rays go through he said "if they didn't his turtle be dead 10 years ago" but i figure out away to use the light. cuz the light part not long to enought to fit over the tank without the glass. I find away to make it work.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 3:45 pm Post subject:

I feel sorry for your friend's turtle, God only knows what is going on inside the turtle, I hope he's right and that the glass he has allows UV rays to get in.
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kevin89 · Level 2 Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 66

I go over there every weekend i see nothing wrong with the turtle he swims great, he eats normally, he begged alot lol, lots of thing he does that a normal turtle does he shed, he still poops once aweek, and every day he beats up the filter i once saw him knock his light the glass and the light in the water lol he big he an adult male RES he plays with the filter bite it, punch it, everything he can think of, and when they let him out on carpet they only do that cz there changing his tank cleaning it, so like he will run on the carpet etc. I see nothing wrong with the turtle he lead a healthy life.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 4:09 pm Post subject:

That's great, I hope he lives a long life Very Happy

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dixieee · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 12:22 pm Post subject:

he sounds to be as great as any other happy turtle Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u