All Turtles Message Board

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

Iv'e seen lots of setups with only 1 light on a head lamp.
I purchased two the basking light and the uvb/uva. But I would like to get rid of the uvb/uva long strip light. Do they sell these lights for head lamp fixtures? Help please I'm getting my baby RES on Sunday.

2turtles · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:58 am Post subject:

Yes they do. I just upgraded all my lighting yesterday.

I paid about $15 for the 10.0 UVB bulbs...
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1.0.0 Trachemys scripta scripta----1.0.1 Chrysemys picta picta
0.0.2 Emydura subglobosa subglobosa----0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

Thanks, I have a few more question I have a screen top with the hinges can I use these lights over the screen? Will the turtle receive sufficient lighting? And also don't they sell bulbs that have all in one so I don't have to use 2 head lamps?

2turtles · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

I don't think it is technically possible to manufacture an all-in-one bulb.

For a regular lightbulb, you run an electric current through a filament, which superheats and glows, producing light : but most of the energy is released as heat, not light.

To produce the UVA/UVB, you have to excite a gas in a glass tube, to generate that radiation. It is not heat, and flourescent bulbs do not really get hot to the touch. So you need radiation and heat, which will require two sources..

You can put your bulbs on the wire mesh without issue. I have one of my tanks set up like that.

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1.0.0 Trachemys scripta scripta----1.0.1 Chrysemys picta picta
0.0.2 Emydura subglobosa subglobosa----0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

I thought maybe they did have all in one because Iv'e seen so many pics with only one light. Anyway for the basking light is 75 watts to much or should I go with 60? And also what should the basking area temperature be at approx.?

2turtles · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:24 pm Post subject:

I don't think there is one exact formula. My basking platform has temps that range from 80* - 105* depending on where the turt is. If you have the ability to control it, I would try to target the low 90's... and keep the water temp in the high 70's...

If the turt doesn't bask at all, one issue could be the water being too warm... with a new hatchling, you may want to keep the water maybe flirting with 80*... just until you are sure the baby is healthy and strong..

so the big question - Why a RES? Not to bash the RES and any of their loving owners, if you are going to inves the $$ for all the proper upkeep, why not spend a tiny bit more and get a more unique and valuable critter?

If it is unique/rare - if your daughter decides she's done with it it will be much easier to find it a new home, where rehoming a RES is virtually impossible ... Not that you would be in that position, it is just a nice exit strategy if this doesn't work out...
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1.0.0 Trachemys scripta scripta----1.0.1 Chrysemys picta picta
0.0.2 Emydura subglobosa subglobosa----0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

2turtles · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject:

I use a 60 watt.. it comes down to the temp at the basking area. If your setup requires the light fixture to be 12-16" away, you may want to go with the 75.. if you can have it 8-10" away, a 60 may be perfect...
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1.0.0 Trachemys scripta scripta----1.0.1 Chrysemys picta picta
0.0.2 Emydura subglobosa subglobosa----0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

Ok I think I'm going to go with 60. Thanks alot for all your help 2turtles I took all your advice so far

. I think all I need now is my little guy as soon as I get him in the tank I'll post pics once I figure out how to do it.
Thanks again!

2turtles · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:25 pm Post subject:

and it can't hurt anything to get everything set up.... get the water temps adjusted, basking all set etc. before you bring the new baby home.

Did your daughter pick out a name yet?

Where are you getting her from?
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1.0.0 Trachemys scripta scripta----1.0.1 Chrysemys picta picta
0.0.2 Emydura subglobosa subglobosa----0.0.1 Testudo hermanni boettgeri

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 207

I just replaced my long, slim-line ReptiGlo 5.0. I think I might convert to the smaller bulb kind later. Cheaper in the long run and easier to mount.

Christina · Level 2 Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey

I got the lil baby on Sun my daughter named him crush! Smile

Well my tank is all set up now I'm just waiting on the filter so I havent put Crush in his new home he's still in the little tank with a rock for drying out and I have the lil tank in the big tank with the uvb light on 12 hrs a day he seems fine and he's already eating! Not much but at least he's eating. He eats about 2 or 3 pellets of food at a time. Anyway I noticed that he's got like some flaky stuff under his arms and legs? Confused

What could it be?

I-LOVE-TURTLES · Level 3 Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 269 Location: My House

MinisMommy · Level 3 Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 103

Do you live in the US? Petsmart... and petco both carry

I-LOVE-TURTLES · Level 3 Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 269 Location: My House

I live in the US. My mom looked at Petco, but they didn't have any there. We haven't tried Petsmart yet.

Thanks!
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3 very funny dachshunds!
1 odd RES

2turtles · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

2turtles · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject:

I-LOVE-TURTLES · Level 3 Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 269 Location: My House

Yeah! She found them online!
Thanks
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3 very funny dachshunds!
1 odd RES

MJEM · Guest Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

I know this is an older thread, but I just wanted to say they do have combination uvb and heat bulbs. They're called Mercury Vapor Bulbs or UVB Heat Lamps (UVA, UVB, Heat). They last longer, but are more expensive than regular uvb bulbs and, because of the high wattage, need a special ceramic or porcelain socket. I don't have one (just got some info from a quick google search) and I'm not recommending them, just wanted people to know so they can do their own research.

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 378

i use 40 watt lightbulbs for the basking area and the uvb/uva light thing for the other side of the take.
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Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007