Habitat - Indoor :: Lighting Kit

[NavyPAO]

Hi,



Here is my current tank. I have removed most of the gravel and added
more water so it is now more than 3/4 full. The filter is rated for a 30
gallon tank and I don't have a heater yet since the water is remaining at
around 75-78 degrees. I use a Repti Glo 5.0 bulb. These bulbs have a
UV output with 30% UVA and 5% UVB. I plan to remove the glass
beneath the light and replace it a screen. The light doesn't seem to be
hot enough for basking though, so I was considering changing the light to
one I saw at Petsmart.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... ASSORTMENT<>ast_id=2534374302023694&FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302030051&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524441776685&bmUID=1132069561545&itemNo=8&Ntt=light&In=Reptile&previousText=light&N=2023694

I would be interested in hearing opinions about my current lighting and
your thoughts un upgrading to the flourescent/incandenscent combo set.

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[marisa]

Rather than the ESU, when you replace the bulb, I'd get a Reptisun. Since there's more water in the tank since you took the pic, I'm assuming they're closer to the light than in the picture? There's nothing in between the UVB light and the turtles (plastic, glass)? If so, you need to remove it. Do they have a heat light as well to warm the basking area?

Can you post a pic as the tank is now, with less gravel and more water?

[sonyj]

The light that you have now is what you need for the UVB needs, but you have to have a separate heat light. A regular household bulb will work. The light on the link may not provide the needed UVB (full spectrum doesn't = UVB) so I'd stick with what you have now, remove the glass, if you place a screen over the tank be sure the opening in the wire is at least 1/2 inch not to filter out the UVB rays, and then hook up the separate heat light. Many people are confused at first over the lights as was I. But simply you need two lights, the UVB(that you have) and a heat light(regular household bulb) to provide the light source the your RES needs.

[marisa]

A flourescent/incandescent combo is what you need, but rather than going out and getting a whole new fixture (unless you really want to spend the money), I'd use the UVB fixture you have with a Reptisun and add a clamp light with a dome fixture for the heating light to warm the basking area.