All Turtles Message Board

MJEM · Guest Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

First of all, I'm pretty sure I'm getting one musk turtle (stinkpot) and not a mud.

My mom has an aquarium with the normal tube fluorescent light stretching across inside the lid. The (cheaper) lid I have on my aquarium is pretty much the same, but it came with two standard 25 watt bulbs coming out from the middle. What I was wondering is, since it's behind the plastic window (so the turtle can't burn itself) and it heats the basking area I set up to the appropriate temperature of 90 degrees (although I have to unscrew one since both of them lighted heats more than just the basking area), is this okay? I'm going to get a uvb bulb that screws into a normal fixture, so I thought maybe I could just put the lid to use since it heats everything okay. Basically what I'm asking is do I need a special basking light?

Now, if using the standard bulb is okay to heat the basking area, I was thinking since I have the other fixture in the lid free (since there are two bulb spots but one bulb is enough), maybe when I do get the uvb bulb that screws into a regular fixture I could put it in that free fixture in the lid. The problem with this is the window under the lights. I've heard that glass will not let the essential rays the of the uvb that the turtle needs pass through. Is this true for the plastic window that's under the lights? I just want to be absolutely sure before I get a turtle.

Also, I'm thinking I should redo my basking area. I want to get more creative with it and it may be too small. It's about 10" x 4". Too small, right?

If anyone is having trouble understanding me, I can post a picture of the lid.

Thanks in advance.

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

I don't have much to offer as far as musk turtle set-ups, but I DO know that when it comes to UV light effectiveness, the plastic strip that comes on many lights actually reduces effectiveness and the quality of UV that reaches the reptile. Anyhoo. I'm sure somebody here will have some good advice.

Naiialuvr:) · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:48 pm Post subject:

i used to have a mud turtle... and she was real easy to take care of.... so.. i done know much about musk turtles though
_________________
what all turtles think-

FEED ME!!!!
please?
JUST FEED ME MORE!!

MJEM · Guest Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

Thanks for the help. I went to the Sweet Feed Co. today and there was a guy there who knew what he was talking about. He gave me a care sheet and explained everything. Today they didn't have any more musk turtles but he said to check back on Fridays. On more than one site I've read that musks are easy to care for (even more so than muds) which is why I want one to begin with.

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 365

for the light buld u should use about 40 watts.
_________________
Tara Dakota

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

MJEM · Guest Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

Just one 25 watt heats the basking area to the appropriate temperature though-91/92 degrees. Isn't that what matters?