Habitat - Indoor :: Basking area temperature lamp adjustment & water temperature

[talal]

Hello, I have a powersun 100watt that is about 15 inches above the basking area, I put a thermometer on my tank right at the basking area and the temp was going to 100 F, is that safe?it should be in the early 90's. I have three turtles 2 RES and one Yellow belly, they are hatchlings. I want to make sure if that is okay? if not then what can I use to raise the bulb, other products on the market are usually at the same height as well. Maybe the aquarium glass gets heated more than the basking area itself and since the thermometer is on the glass it's reading more? Please fill me in.

Another thing, the water temperature is 83 - 86 so I am not running a heater but isn't that a bit high? I know in the winters a heater would get the job done but what if I want to lower the temperature? or do I even have to lower it at all?

All replies would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

[steve]

That's a bit warm for smaller turtles. Is the basking area large enough so they don't have to be directly underneath it? Remember, terrapins like to stack each other when basking, so the top one could actually be much closer to the light. 83-86 is pretty warm, any way to lower it a bit?

[talal]

that's what I'm wondering? how can I cool the water temp to 78? Im not using a heater and it's 83 - 86 ... and the basking area temp is like 95 - 100 even though the lamp is at the highest point and ive seen people place their lamps directly on the screen.

[steve]

What's the normal room temperature? What's the basking area made of?

[talal]

I guess when I brought the turtles home we had the air off since we were out which is why the temp got high, this morning the tank was 75 like the room temperature. I lifted the basking light as high as I could and now the temp is about 95 at the basking area I need to get that a little more lowered now. The basking platform is a zoomed small one, but I'm working on a custom one with tile and driftwood. I think I am going to buy one of those cooling fans so when we are out I will turn it on I've heard it takes the temp down 5 - 7 F which would be fine.

[annar]

When my turtle was a hatchling, I used the 100watt powersun according to the instructions (distance and basking temperature were okay) and my baby still got a "sunburn". I'm sure it'll be fine, but just keep an eye on it.

[talal]

Mine seem to be enjoying it. They bask a lot, mo sunburns so far but yes I am keeping an eye on them

[steve]

I haven't tried the fan, but it should work. Keep it away from the basking area but it will also cause water to evaporate quicker.