All Turtles Message Board

tigerturtle · Level 1 Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 10

Just to confirm these are two seperate lights? And does the UVB Light go my any other name?
Thanks

fishandcandy · Level 3 Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Indio, CA

The basking light can be a regular lightbulb. The purpose of that is for heating the basking area and providing UVA rays (for the turtle's "mental health").
The UVB light is what they need to absorb calcium. "Full Spectrum" does NOT mean UVB. You want a light that is made specifically for reptiles and it will say that it produces a certain amount of UVB. This light needs to be over the basking area also, without any glass or screen between it and the turtle.
You can also put your turtle out in regular, unfiltered sunlight for UVB if you have a proper enclosure.

tigerturtle · Level 1 Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 10

OK, Thats great. Thank You

cutie202005 · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:07 am Post subject:

ok i feel bad i've had my turtle for 8 months now and i only have 1 light above his basking area but it is a light strictly for reptiles and he seems really good, shell is hard as a rock and i feed him pellets and when i clean the tank i put a turtle calcuim block(i'm not sure if thats what it is called) in the tank which i clean every 3 weeks to a month... Confused

I seen in the pet store you can buy calcium blocks?? what are they and will tehy be good for my turtle???
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*CUTIE*

trtlduv · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:01 pm Post subject:

The reptile light you've been using, was it just UVa? Or UVb?
As for a calcium supplement, you can buy cuttlebone (like the ones they sell for birds), but be sure you take off the hard backing on the one side and then break it up into pieces. My turt will eat some of it and some of it absorbs thru the shell. Laughing

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shade & sweetwater!

cutie202005 · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:51 pm Post subject:

i get this white thing that are in the shape of a turtle and i put it in the tank and it desinagrates but my turtle eats some of it to, its the thing that helps get rid of some germs in the tank or something...
but if he needs calcium blocks i will get them for him but he seems to be really healthy and happy:) Laughing

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*CUTIE*

trtlduv · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a turtle dr. or dr. turtle (I can't remember the name exactly), but I believe those are calcium blocks. I think the only difference is that cuttlebone is less expensive. Wink

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shade & sweetwater!

Nevfalath · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:03 pm Post subject:

I use a white block in the shape of a turtle in my tank as well, but if you're using the same thing I am, it's used to protect you and your turtle from Salmanella and other harmful bacteria.
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-= Shannon =-

cutie202005 · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject:

so i hsould get him thoughs calcuim blocks then??? if so then how many do i feed hima day???
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*CUTIE*

Nevfalath · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:34 pm Post subject:

Just read the package. They usually come with directions on the back.
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-= Shannon =-

cutie202005 · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:40 pm Post subject:

so i went to the pet store and i got him cuttlebone( i thinkt hats what it is called)and i broke it in half and let it float around int he tank, he takes bites of it once in a while, when i first put it in there i think he weas offended by it cause he put his head right into his shell when he was lookign at it..lol Laughing

it was so funny

But if i should break it into pieces how often should i gove it to him and how many times a day, week??
Or should i jsut leave it floating to let him have a bite og it every once ina while??
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*CUTIE*

fishandcandy · Level 3 Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Indio, CA

Cutie-

For the cuttlebone: just leave it floating in the tank and he'll bite it when he wants to. Did you take the hard part off?

Those turtle blocks: they are not calcium blocks. Mostly they are a waste of money. If you keep your turtle healthy and your tank clean, that is a better protection from salmonella.

Your light: Is it a UVB light or a basking light? A UVB light makes a special light and is pretty expensive. A basking light makes your basking area warm.

trtlduv · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks, fishandcandy, I had absolutely no idea what those turtle blocks were... I thought they were calcium.
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shade & sweetwater!

cutie202005 · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

Yes i took the hard part off, and i put it in the tank, he doesn't like it to much though lol but i'll see if he will get used to it, i think he thinks its another turtle or something...hehehe Laughing

As for the UVB light i baught one its coiled it was pretty expencive but as long as it keeps him healthy thats all that matters:) Laughing

Thanks for the help, really appreciated
jenn
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*CUTIE*

trtlduv · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 6:38 pm Post subject:

Nevfalath · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:17 pm Post subject: