Habitat - Indoor :: Basking thermometer question

[tissigirl]

Can you attach a thermometer on the outside of the tank to monitor the basking temperature? I have it all set up, just need to figure out the best way to see how close/far I need to put the light. I have it going thru the side of the glass (I have a hood so don't have any choice). Any suggestions??

[jenaero]

I'm sorry, do you mean that there is glass between the light and the basking area? Not good. Glass, plastic, plexiglass all block uvb that your turtle needs to be healthy so fix that pronto.

A thermometer outside the tank won't really help. I don't keep one on/near the basking area, I just check it by holding a digital thermometer on the basking platform about once every few days.

[lydia_lady_fla]

I just set up my 30 gall. tank and I have no hood so here is how my light is set up...... I used the clamp on light but for extra safe gaurd I put a round wire cookie cooling rack on top of the aquirum right under the light so if it tilts or gets knocked around it cant fall into the water the proper rays can not pass through glass so no need to have it if they cant get the direct beams from everything Iv read it is also placed at the far end of the tank so no water can splash it that could caz glass breaking and/or someone getting shocked Iv seen neat pictures here where the basking area is built over the top of the whole tank giving all the water area for swimming this is what I intend to do very soon just lots of neat ideas here to still look at read and re read first and I love the pic. provided with some set ups so explore here real good and you will come up with something as far as distance this site gives temp. of basking area and how to chk. one said lay a them. under the light area and chk it in about 30 min. turtles will not roast under it if its to warm they will stay in the water so theres a good sign too that it maybe too hot (or cold) hope this helps but the stickys tell you alot

[tissigirl]

Like I said before, I have a hood on my tank so there is no way to set the light up above the tank. I have a UV flourescent light in the hood for the UV rays, and although the basking light is one specially for that I have no way but to have it go thru the glass.
It seems to be a decent temp. because the turtle loves going up there and stays up there most of the time it is on. I'm figuring it can't be too warm or he wouldn't stay up there, and if it wasn't warm enough he would have no interest in the basking area. I just want to make sure it stays a good temp.

[Oldturtle72]

Tissi,
I hope you understand that the beneficial UVB rays from either direct sun or a fluorescent tube designed to give off artifcial UVB rays will not penetrate through glass or plastic. If you are trying to give your turt UVB from your hood through the glass top on the tank, your turt is receiving 'nada', nothing, nil, none. As explained in many posts on different forum topics, there are many ways to position a source of UVB so that a turtle will benefit and through glass ain't one. George

[biteme66669]

but i dont want to ask the same questions, so sorry if this has already been answered. I have a res, her name is louis. I was given this turtle as a gift like... almost a year ago. Until recently did i find out that louis had to be in a bigger tank with a better filter, better lighting, and a place to get out of the water. Now I also didnt know any of this becuase i just founf out it was a res....Im not a bad owner just a very misguided one. Either way im tring to make it up to louis by getting her a 20 gal tank wich is much bigger then her tiny ten gallon. Also I bought her about $100 worth of new stuff; Filter, light, frozen food crap, night light, screen cover. Probably something else. She seems to be not that happy now that I have moved her I am really afraid that she is going to die now becuase she is going to be more stresse3d out. My other concern is that when i take her out of the tank she breathes out of her mouth. I just need a lot of help in trying to help louis the best i can so that she is happy and she doesnt die. Please help me!

[marisa]

I think your questions are being answered under your other post (you'll get a better response if you post separately).