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I just set up my UVA/UVB lamp. I got the ESU 20W coiled bulb that was recommended on this forum. My turtle loves it and is basking and swimming around more than ever. I'm curious about how long I should leave the light on. I also have a flurescent bulb to illuminate the rest of the tank, but the UVA/UVB lamp is focused on the basking area.

Lights should be on a day/night cycle around 10-12 hours a day. Many turtle keepers use timers to help achieve this, instead of trying to remember to turn them on/off themselves.

I've been turning them on when I wake up, which is around 7:30 or 8 a.m. and shutting them off a bit before I go to bed, which is around 10:00 p.m. Is that alright? I like to leave them on at night, so I can watch him while I do homework or work on the computer.

They shouldn't be on more than twelve hours, so turning them on maybe a little later would even it out.

Because of my schedule, my girls get anywhere from 10 to 14 hours of light. Any more than 14 and you're asking for algae.

It's good to follow the daylight hours for each season. You'd want them on a little longer in the summer when days are longer and reduce the length of time a bit as the days shorten, so they'd be on less in the winter. A timer is a good way to achieve this.