Habitat - Indoor :: New basking light question

[honeybee1981]

I got a new light for my turtle and she doesn't seem to be sunning nearly as much. My old light was a 100 watt basking spot. She basked a lot with that light.
The new light, a 100 watt full spectrum flood, (uva/uvb) is in the same spot, around 7 inches from her basking dock. She hasn't been basking and I am wondering if it may be too hot or something. I put my hand under the light and it doesnt feel especially warmer than the old one.

Is she just getting used to the new type of light? Or could there be another issue? It will be difficult to raise the light where it is, I would have to buy a new stand. Its been about a week since I switched to the full spectrum.

[steve]

Are you measuring the temperatures with a thermometer? 90-95 degrees F is what you want to get... is this new light producing a different color perhaps?

[honeybee1981]

i don't measure the air temp cause i didn't think about it cause it an open tank. and no differance in color that i can tell. but the old one was uva and this one is uvb and uva. but we just measured it between 95 and 100 degress under lamp. and the water temp is regulated with a heater that keeps it at 75-78 degrees. so it probally too hot under light. we are trying temp solutions till we can buy a stand tommorow at pet store.

[sonyj]

Yes, that's too hot. Try moving it further away if you can. And always measure both water temp and basking temp. Basking temp would be great around 90 degrees.

Another temporary solution might be a regular household bulb of a lower wattage (around 60 watts) until you can move the light.

[honeybee1981]

How necessary is the uvb? the "sunlight" type of UV? I know that she needs it for proper calcium absorbation and the lack of it can lead to metabolic bone disease, but how long can she safely go without it?

[sonyj]

I'm not sure about how long they can go without it, but I do know it is extremely important to a turtles well being. Personally, I wouldn't risk taking a chance at how long they can go without it. If you can't get one immediately then taking them outside daily for unfiltered sunlight would be the only other option.

[steve]

You need both calcium and UVB to prevent metabolic bone disease. The absorption of calcium is dependent on vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is usually obtained through metabolized UVB light. Direct, unobstructed sunlight is the best source of UVB.