Habitat - Indoor :: Providing the right light for RES in Istanbul, Turkey

[Claire]

Hello Everyone,

I live in Istanbul, Turkey, and recently acquired two RES -- unaware, of course, that they grow so large and require such careful husbandry. The poor things are sold by the hundreds in the markets, and I'm afraid I was one of those people who picked them up on a whim because they were so small and so cute, having no idea what they really needed. Now that I know, I'm determined to provide a good home for them, but I'm having trouble finding the equipment I need in Istanbul. The pet shops don't seem to understand lighting requirements for turtles at all. I have been able to procure a Repti Basking spot bulb, but the package says this only provides UVA light. How can I give my turtles UVB light without a speciality UVB bulb? Will an ordinary fluorescent bulb work? Does anyone know of a company that might send me the right kind of bulb by mail order? I'm worried that it will take a long time for anything I order to arrive -- how long can my turtles go without the right kind of light before they get ill?

Thanks very much for your help.

~Claire, Bob and Shellie

[sonyj]

If weather is permitting, you can take your turtles out for unfiltered sunlight an hour or so a few times a week and this will provide them with the UVB they need. Be sure to supervise them if you take them outside and do not take them out in a glass container. If weather is not permitting a UVB bulb will need to be procured. As far as websites that ship to your area, I'm really not sure. Hopefully some of the other members will know.

I commend you on providing the correct habitat for your new little guys and doing your research on them. This will help them live happy, healthy lives.

[jenaero]

I found info at petsmart.com. This link will take you to their shipping info page

http://www.petsmart.com/global/customerservice/cs_ship_return.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302024186&bmUID=1130853084873

At the bottom it says

International Orders:
We can process international orders, outside the United States and Canada, only through our telephone ordering service. Please call 1-585-637-1408.

Good luck, and welcome to Turtle Talk

[Claire]

Thank you, Sonyj, for your suggestion. At this time of the year, Istanbul is very cold (colder than London), so I fear that would do them more harm than good. Jenaero, thanks for your response. If I can't find anything here, I will order from PetSmart, but I hope that can be the last resort, because I'm worried it will take a long time to arrive: For some reason international mail delivery takes forever to get here; even books ordered from Amazon have taken as much as two months to reach me. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? Will a regular fluorescent bulb provide them with any UVB at all? Will vitamins help?

Thanks so much for your prompt replies; much appreciated.

[marisa]

Regular flourescent lights don't give off UVB rays (the package must say that a light gives off these rays for it to be a UVB light). I'm wondering if there are any zoos or similar places near you. If so, perhaps you could contact them and see if they know of any places you could get supplies.

Can you get any non-phosphorus calcium supplements that contain Vit D? If so, this would help a little (getting Vit. D in the diet isn't thought to be as efficient as metabolizing it from UVB rays, but a little is better than nothing). Also, what brand of turtle food are you feeding your turtle? Many reputable brands contain added Vitamin D in their formulaltions.

[Claire]

Thanks, Marisa. The zoo is a good idea. I'll see what I can find out about that. I suspect I'll have to mail-order from Europe or the US. I just hope they don't get sick in the meantime.

I have something they sold me in the pet store that's called a "Shell hardener." (I'm translating from Turkish.) It doesn't say what's in it -- I've looked at the package insert, but it just says it's good for "hardening shells." I'm not even sure what dose to give them. It's made by "Marine." Any idea what this is or what to do with it?

[steve]

I would skip any product that is not from a reputable company. In addition to a zoo, I would also ask a local reptile organization or a reptile vet.

[marisa]

I don't know about the shell hardner--is it something you apply on the shell (I wouldn't) or give them to eat (wouldn't do this either if I didn't know it was good/recommended).

Can you locate a calcium supplement called Nutrobal (it's made by Vetark Products in Britain)? If you can, see if it contains Vit D3 as well. (It's my understanding that this product is comparable to something called RepCal in the U.S., which you can get with Vit. D3 added--maybe you can locate it where you are as well?).

[staman]

There are 2 other types of bulbs that generate UVB radiation and heat that you could get your hands on in Istanbul. Theyre not cheap though. They are the mercury vapor lamp and the HPS (high pressure sodium vapor ) lamp. Ever walk by a church and see the really bright orange light? Thats an HPS. For your turts look for a 75 or a 100 watt version. Id really just wait it out and order a UVB florescent from a company in the UK. Theres tons of websites and shipping from england would be quick. 2 weeks without UVB wont hurt your turtles much..