General Care Discussion :: Distance between the uvb and the basking area

[Jenn84]

I'm not sure what distance the Uvb is supposed to be from the basking spot? I have attached a picture so someone can tell me if that distance is ok or if its to far from the basking area??

I Hope I did not post on the wrong place I'm new

Thanks

[tonyandlala]

I believe it should closer. best way I've found to judge the distance is the temperature at the platform (@88f), mine are @ 6-8 inches away.

[Jenn84]

Ok thanks for the info So I would have to buy what kind of thermometer to check the temp of the platform?

[steve]

Different UVB bulbs will have slightly different instructions regarding distance. Is that 5.0 or 10.0 bulb?

[Jenn84]

26w 5.0 Repti Glo

[CactusJohn5]

I believe it should closer. best way I've found to judge the distance is the temperature at the platform (@88f), mine are @ 6-8 inches away.

UVB bulbs do not produce the "heat" needed for basking?

I moved my bulb from 4 inches to 16 inches after i read that they can get sick if the bulb is too close. I think the 26W has a minimum range of like 6 inches.

[Jenn84]

UVA (regular house bulb) produces heat not UVB from what I have heard anyways lol I don't know how the UVB works if it does not heat at all just emits a Fluorescence color.

[slider_keeper]

12 inches is a good rule of thumb for the distance of the UVB bulb from the basking zone

[CactusJohn5]

yes i use a 100w house light bulb for heat, and that is about 3-5 inches away so as not to cook my girls, lol

[Jenn84]

100w? I guess I need to change mines together with the lamp it says it only hold 75w. I will measure how far away the lamp is I don't want to cook mines either lol

[slider_keeper]

Don't go off the watt. and distance when it comes to the heat aspect. When it comes to heat you go off of the temp on the basking zone's surface. Or if you really want to get accurate get a IF Thermal Heat tempurature gun. The temp will dictate what watt. and distance you would need. You always want to make sure that whatever bulb you use, you want to make sure it heats the whole basking zone for your turtle to heat up as evenly as possible in a indoor enclosure. The only time you go off of distance is with the UVB aspect. To truly know where the distance needs to be you need a UVB meter. But if you go with 12" or slightly less, you will be providing the UVB your turtle will need.