All Turtles Message Board

SabuHayabusa · Guest Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

What is the best bulb that I could use for a turtle set up? I recently used a repti-glo basking bulb for my set up but I feel this is not all I need. How often do you change bulbs?

Also,

I was wondering if pH level has any effect on turtles. If so, what pH do they thrive at?? Question

babylucifer · Level 2 Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 99

pH is a can of worms, no pun intended. Different species thrive at different pH's, those approaching their "natural" environment are going to be best. Having said that, turtles are more flexible about pH than fish are, and you usually don't have to panic if you keep the water decently clean. The key with bulbs is the UVB they supply, the fluorescent style is better for this, and these expensive bulbs really have to be changed every six months, even if YOU can't see any difference in the quality of the light.

TurtleLover_S&B · Level 2 Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 97

Well,I use "ZooMed Turtle Turf Splashproof Bulb".I hope this helps,but it isn't a UV bulb.It's just a normal turtle bulb.
_________________
TurtleLover_S&B,

My babies,Squirt and Bubbles!The cutest turtles you've ever seen!

babylucifer · Level 2 Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 99

Turtlelover, that's a great bulb because of the safety factor, but consider adding a fluorescent for the UVB, your little ones will love it! You don't need a fancy fixture, I use the office-style gooseneck fluorescents from the 60's and 70's, find them at yardsales in the $3-15 range and ZooMed or Repti-Sun makes bulbs to fit most of them. Really helps the calcium metabolism if you have a shortage of natural light. Up here in the north, the days are getting shorter, so natural light is sometimes in short supply.