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I just bought my turtle setup and I'm currently putting it together. I'm getting the turt tomorrow, and i just wanted to make sure it was all setup before then. Here's my problem:

I just bought a tube UVB lamp to put on top, and the guy at the shop told me I could just put it on top of the screen top I had for the tank. So, I took it home, only to realize that it would be impossible to have the top on and put the lamp on top, while still having the filter hooked to the side! The lamp fixture looks as though it has two holes where you can insert some kind of hook, but it did not come with any. Should I return the top and find some sort of hook for the lamp? Or should i return the lamp and find one that hooks? I'm confused...how did you all do it?

I bought a uva/uvb combo bulb and a clamp lamp. I didn't want to fiddle with 2 diff lights. Also, I have no cover or screen on the tank. Here's the bulb I have http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441780759&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030051&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1122340970050

Actually, another question....I have the Aquaclear filter that I just bought....is there a way to make it so that it isn't so loud?? The water has to fall all that way, but I can't make the water level higher. Should I just put something underneath it to reduce the fall?

I've heard of people doing that but I'm not sure what you'd use. I have a submersible filter..sorry I'm not much help today..lol. I think marisa fixed hers like that..or she told somebody how to do theirs, I don't remember. I'm sure she'll jump in.

BTD18
Why cant you put more water in?

Well, if I put more in, it might be too high, as it is I only have about 6 inches above the water line...how much should i leave?

My tank has maybe 2-3 inches from the top, but I have plants and a basking area. And Scoot is bigger than the one you're going to get.

I've seen Marisa recommend getting plants for the little guy to rest on so the water level can be higher.

As long as your turtle cannot reach the top of the tank from your basking area you can raise the water up. If your turtle can stand on the basking area and the hind legs can reach to top when they are standing up, you will have to lower the water level.

You can use aquarium silicone to attach a piece of plexiglass to the lip of the aquaclear, which will break the fall of the water. The water in the aquaclear I'm using falls a fair way into the tank, but at this point I don't mind the noise (with a soon-to-be second one, I will probably do the plexiglass addition, though).

I wonder... could you take a big piece of plexi glass.... use a blow torch (saw it on one of those artsy home improvement shows) to make "ripples" to have a "waterfall" kinda thing attacked to the filter "spout".

earlier, i mentioned using screws to hold into place. i don't think it will be easy to manipulate the plexiglass - at least with my experience with it.

ummm again I love the water fall sound soooo,as for the light I got a clamp on light fixture from wal-mart and its working gr8 I also use them for heat outside with my baby goats. the thing I wanted to really say is if the screen top squares are tiny u are blocking the needed rays.