General Care Discussion :: Light intensity

[shortt]

Is there such a thing as too bright a light? Putting UVB and heat aside can a basking area simply be too bright and deter basking?

[richieboy]

As long as your in the right temp range (85-90) I think is good for a regular healthy turtle and it's 10 degrees higher than the water. I don't think it could be too bright. Unless you have something crazy bright hooked up? What do you have?

[shortt]

It was most just a thought as I've been watching my turtle remotely and experimenting with the lights in her basking area trying to get the right balance. Before the lights were going through egg crate which would break it up a little (13watt and a 60watt, vs 13 watt and a 100watt)

[richieboy]

Oh, okay. I got a Mercury Vapor bulb because the petstore guy talked me into it. I went from having no egg crate to having it. I don't see any change in the basking and it's not as bright now. I think it's all temperatures that get them to bask. Maybe changing something in the basking area might spook the turtle before it gets used to it again. I dunno. Does it make a big difference how much heat a 60watt generates opposed to the 100?

[shortt]

The heat isn't too different. Its a different light setup though. Silver clamp lights vs bulbs with no reflectors on it. I was really surprised how much a reflector actually will focus the heat