General Care Discussion :: UVB light help!

[Ty13]

I just got a baby RES a week ago and I have all the nessicary requirments except for the UVB bulb. I know these are very inportant but I cant seem to find one where i live and I was wondering how long my little guy would lastwithout one. I was also wondering if i have to get a specific lamp for the UVB bulb when I finally get one.Thanks for any help you can give!

[marc_]

do you have any sort of light in the tank?

[Ty13]

Yeah I have a a normal house light bulb, the temperature is just right and my little turtle seems fine with it but I dont want him to get soft shell, or shell rot and die.

[ZombieTurtle]

turtle can live without the uvb, but he needs that uvb light to grow/healthy.
if you cant find a uvb bulb from a pet store around you then order one online.
you can order one from www.bigalsonline.com or otehr sites you know of. you dont need a specific lamp for it i believe, i just have it in a dome/clamp lamp fixture i got at the pet store, you can order that with your uvb bulb from a webpage.

[SpotsMama]

Just get a good UVB bulb as soon as you can. If it's going to be awhile and if the weather is still warm where you are, you can take your guy outside and let him enjoy real sunshine for around 30 minutes at a time. That will give him some natural UVB. Just be very sure you're careful with him - don't leave him in a glass or plastic container because it will overheat in sunlight, don't take your eyes off him because he will disappear, don't let him get into any ants, fertilizers, chemicals, etc. and don't let any dogs or cats get to him.

A good UVB bulb is a a repti glo 5.0 26 watt compact fluorescent.

To prevent shell rot, be sure he's basking regularly in a place where he can completely dry out - top and bottom. Also, be sure his water is kept clean as dirty water will cause shell and skin disease. Finally, be sure he gets plenty of calcium in his diet (cuttlebone) and gets to bask under a good uvb bulb.

[Ty13]

Thanks for the anwsers guys. I was wondering if this UVB light would work in a normal clip lamp or is it too strong. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... uvb100lamp

[octpusgirl8]

Don't get the 10.0. It's too strong for a turtle, and in the past has been linked to distressing eye problems. Get a reptisun 5.0 instead.

[Ty13]

Thanks, I had read not to get the 10.0 on some other site but I wasn't sure, so i decided to check with the professionals

[SpotsMama]

The reptisun 5.0 is a good bulb but also needs to be used with care. Here's a link on it. Be sure and follow the directions on placement of the bulb.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11796