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hey everyone today i got my gues a new habitat 20l tank with a filter and some basking stuff and some stuff to swim and hide in. I got a heating lamp aswell (this: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777506&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030096&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1135575534327 right now i have a normal bulb in it. i know i need to get a UVB bulb in there soon will get one tomarrow or the next day (have alot planned tomarrow) my question is a read on the main site about a uvb/uva bulb combo i don't want to have to buy another one of these lamps if i don't have too.(but if i do i will) so what are the names of some UVA/UVB bulbs that are high quality. also i will try to get pics of my setup soon.

I use a UVB 5% bulb that I found at petco. I also bought my clamps at Home Depot for 5 dollar's each.

How big is your turt?

i got 2 there really small like no bigger then an inch each

pics of the setup now


i have a pic of the top view but it's 2 big for imageshack basically the log is in front of the little bridge and they can walk up the bridge and onto the log and the heat lamp is right above there and they also spend alot of time hidind in the log beneath the bridge. one is really active and is the one i see eating alot but i haven't seen him basking. the more shy one hides alot but when i came home today he was basking but he had trouble opening his eyes (humidity? how can i fix this?). the more active one also has some white spots on his shell, i am not sure if there cosmetic scraps or if there some form of fungus/soft shell, i can't hold him long enought to try to scrap it off if it's fungus but it doesn't feel very soft.

here is a topic on UVA/UVB combo lights...http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2419

Keep in mind they are not suitable for small tanks because of the heat they produce. Water temps need to be around 78 degrees F and the basking area needs to be at least 10 degrees warmer or they will not bask. I would also add more water to your tank and remove that gravel. Get some large river rocks and some fake plants in there.

If your turtle was basking for a long time, his eyes simply might have been dry. Do they look swollen or crusty?

they don't look swollen or crusty as soon as he got in the water they opened up he just had some trouble opening them. i plan on getting more water in the tank when i move (about a month) think the current water is enough for them at their size?they are fairly small (half dollar coin each)