General Care Discussion :: RES not basking

[ala12]

Hi, i just gotten a ZooMed Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb hoping that it would help my RES bask, but it doesn't seems to be working ? Any1 have any idea ?? Thanks

[BullDog]

Is your turtle new? Or have you changed the setup recently? Sometimes RES are shy and take a few days, or even a couple weeks, to get used to a new habitat.

Also, what is your basking temp and water temp? The basking temp should be around 10 degrees higher than the water temp. Also if the water temp is too warm, the RES won't feel the need to bask.

Finally, I don't think nightlight bulbs are recommended. They're a specialty type of bulb for other reptiles. RES need a uvb souce, and a heat source (in an MVB bulb these are combined).

[ala12]

Oh... The RES are not new they have been in the tank for around 2 months. But finally got the money to buy some lightnings for them and went to the shop and they recommended me the bulb. Apparantly, the recommendation are wrong Any recommendations. Thanks

[Chrisbarnett]

Most shops just want to sell you some product.
you need a UVA/UVB light source and a heat source, which can be your regular incandescent house bulbs.

This link may help
http://www.redearslider.com/index_lighting_basking.html

[ala12]

ok thx.

But can i use my nightlight bulb as a heat source ??

[TheComputerGremlin]

As long as it's putting out enough heat, you can probably use it still, nothing else you could set it up at nighttime and put a regular bulb in during the day. I think the turtles like the light, though, that comes off of an incandescent bulb, it resembles sun.

[megcornell]

I'd just return the nightlight bulb. Use that money or store credit towards a UVB bulb. For the UVA and heat, just use a household bulb.

[industrial_girl_2000]

What is the temperature of the water? Can you measure the water temp with a thermometer?

I also agree with what others already said on this thread about UVA & UVB bulbs.