redearslider.com

I'll be gone for a week on vacation, and I need some help. I have someone coming in every other day to feed my turtles, see they're ok, temp, etc. My only problem is, I can't get them to come twice a day to take care of the lights and lamps. How should I keep the lights while I am gone? I have a crappy 15 wt fluorescent, and a 60 wt basking lamp. Should I keep both on, off, one on and one off? What? Should I have the person mess with them every other day they're here?

Thanks ahead of time.

Get timers for your lights. I use these: http://www.intermatic.com/Default.asp?action=prod&pid=203&did=5&cid=43&sid=114.

You can get a $5 timer from Lowes. It works perfectly - turns the lights on in the morning and off in the evening.

Definitely go for a timer. I got one mostly because I keep odd hours and I wanted the lights to be on a regular schedule without me having to get up at 8 am, haha. So it's good for when you're not on vacation too!

What do you guys recommend I do if I don't have the time to get timers? Considering I'm leaving in thirty minutes

I'm guessing you've already left, but maybe the person who's coming every other day could grab some for you and you can reimburse them when you get home?

I mean, I'll try, but if the timers are not an option, what's my best option?

What's more important? The ability to sunbathe, or a regular sleeping pattern?

You really shouldn't have to choose. If I were in your shoes and there was no way in the world I could get a timer, I'd probably ask the friend that is looking in on them to alternately leave the lights on and turn them off when he/she comes to visit.

Long gone.= If you have no choice and your friend can't work out the timer; I don't think that one day on and next off would hurt anything. The timer would be the best. I also use automatic fish feeders in a pinch. Good Luck !!