General Care Discussion :: Lighting/heat?

[DavidY]

Looks good, Sharon! The silver clamp lamp should be fine with the 5.0 bulb. The ceramic base lamps are better for the bulbs that generate a lot of heat. The compact flourescent bulbs get hot to the touch but nowhere close to that of a regular incandescent light bulb or the mercury vapor bulbs. And, yes, that bulb also produces the UVA that turtles require as well. But you still need a heat source like a regular 40 to 60 watt light bulb to keep the basking platform at 88 to 90 degrees. I see a green table lamp behind the tank, does that have a regular light bulb in it? It's a good idea to get a thermometer and check the temperature of the basking platform for the proper temperature. That's good that your turtle is already basking under the new UV light. It looks like he's enjoying it!

[fishcube]

Thanks The lamp behind the clamp lamp is flourescent. I did buy a thermometor for basking platform. We do have long neck clamp lamps that I could add a regular bulb to. Is this going to warm the area good? What size regular bulb will work well? 60w or 75w?

[DavidY]

It depends on what the room temperature is. In the summer time I use 40 watt bulbs over my snakes and lizards and in the winter I use 60 watts. The key is to get a regular thermometer and put it on the basking dock for a few minutes to get a temperature reading. It should be around 90 degrees. If you don't have a thermometer, you can rest your hand on the dock with the back of your hand to the light and leave it there for a few minutes. It should feel nice and warm but not burning. Also, keep an eye on your turtle and if he seems to enjoy being up there then you should be fine. If he is constantly climbing up there and then jumping back in the water after only a few minutes (when the room is quiet), then it's probably too hot.

[BullDog]

For the uvb, I believe the regular clamp lamps (like those from a hardware store) are suitable, because the UVB bulb doesn't get too hot. As long as it is secure, it will work.

Yes, UVB bulbs also provide UVA light, but not heat, so you still need a secondary heat lamp (desk lamp works well ^_^)

Setup looks great!