Habitat - Indoor :: light/heat

[babydoll]

I purchased a zoo med combo bulb, uva (30%) and uvb (5%).

Is that enough bulb?

I have it installed in a spot globe.

Will I need another heat source? Thas basking dock only seems to get around 85.

[jenaero]

try moving it closer to the dock..then check the temp

[babydoll]

Thank you for the quick response.

I have it about 5" from the dock as it is now. Do I really want to go closer?

[bradhart]

I wouldn't put it any closer than that... Any water that can be splashed on it will bust it.

[jenaero]

yeah 5 inches is too close. What is the wattage? I use a 100 watt bulb and keep it 6-8 inches away.

[marisa]

Is it a flourescent light (they give off UVA rays as well as UVB rays) like a Reptisun 5.0? If so, you will need another heat source (flourescents don't give off much heat). If so, what you have is not a combination light like a mercury vapor light which gives of UVB and UVA rays and heat. Regular UVB lights should be 6-8 inches from the turtle, the distance of the heat light (a regular lightbulb is fine) will depend on the wattage (check with a thermometer). The mercury vapor light should be further away because of the amount of heat it gives off, (I think a minimum of 12 inches, but check the information sheet that comes with the bulb).

[babydoll]

Yes, it is a Repti Sun 5.0.

What type of heat sourse should I purchase?

I am thinking a spot light. Should I go with the mercury vapor, and if so, do I use it in combination with the Repti Sun?

The Repti Sun bulb alone cost 36.00, so I would prefer not to have to replace that.

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

I use a ceramic heater(kinda looks like a mushroom with a bulb base, I leave it on all the time, it also can stand an occasional splash.

[bradhart]

if you get a murcury vapor, you need a ceramic base. the bulb is so hot it will melt a metal one.

[marisa]

I wouldn't get a mercury vapor light if you have a small tank. For a heat source, a regular lightbulb works fine (you could put it in a dome) and it's cheaper than buying a special bulb (save your money for the UVB lights.)

[babydoll]

I purchased a 75 watt basking bulb. I added a second dome fixture, I have them both aimed on the basking dock.

Is it normal behavior NOT to use the basking dock? I have yet to see a turtle use the dock. They stay in the the plants their entire time, once in a while swimming to the botom of the tank then back to the plants.

[bradhart]

give them time to adjust. check the temp to make sure it's not too hot. If the temp is fine, chances are they bask when you're not around. It usually takes a few months for a turt to bask infront of people

[marisa]

You could put some sort of barrier around the outside of the tank around the basking area so that your turtle has some privacy when s/he basks.

[bradhart]

marisa, i did that with my friends res. cut a cardboard box in half and used that as his 'private turtle time'

[marisa]

I do something similar.