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My turties uv florescent light keeps flickering and every once in a while it will go OFF by itself so I'll think I need to get a new one and it will come ON again after I pound on it a little, I have the light on for 12 hours a day and I have had it for about 2 months...Could it need to be replaced? Or is it perhaps defective? Has anyone ever had anything like this occur? any suggestions?

Also, I was going to pick up some meal worms and different types of food for my babies but does anyoe know how long until they go bad? i have only tried canned crickets (they keep for I think, a year or two years if you keep the lid on and keep them refridgerated) and I have tried earth worms and I think they lst about 3-6 months depending. I have never tried meal worms, or grass hoppers (never acually found them) but any other farmed meals like cockroaches, meal worms, rosies or snails?

Thank you for any replies.

it might be the fact that the stress on the light bulb is having an effect. plus, if that is a heat lamp, i heard some where that it shouldnt be on for more than 8 hours. for treats, i thinkthat mealworms are good. i personally give my turtles rosey red minnows so that they have to work for their protien and it keeps them from getting fat. the only canned foods that i have heard that are the slightest bit healthy are the stuffed crickets.

ok thanks I will continue to give them crickets as a treat then and not get any canned meal worms...Thanks

its all up to you. since cant let my turtles run around my house, i have to let them get some sort of exercise. if you have like a play area then by all means let them have em'. just as long as they can loose the fat from it.

Yeah..I was giving them feeder goldfish when they were hatchlings and learned a few days ago from this site that they are fatty so I think I am going to pick p some minnows tonight. and guppies if I can find them. Thanks

What brand light do you have?

Well Steve and evryone else...I don't rememember what brand it was but it was only about $7 (So that probably explains it. I just went out and bought the following for my turties please anyone let me know if you would advise against any of these brands or products (out of previous experience or what not). Food : Rainbow Supeworm Live Meal Worms -the knd that do not have to be refridgerated (I know to only feed one a week because of high protein content), Tetra-fauna ReptoTreat gammarus 100% Natural Shrimp (dried) Red container Yellow lid, T-Rex Aquatic Turtle Dry Formula Juvenile sized pellets clear container royal blue lid, ReptoMin food sticks, (I have used Wardly in the past because it is sold at my local grocry store and it is convenient - is that a bad brand?)2 minnows, and some ZOO MEDS CAN O CRICKETS MIni size. Other : JURASSI CAL Calcium Dust clear container green lid (I was hesitant about buying the cuttlebone because I did not know if you just submerge the whole thing in water or break it in tiny pieces and put in a little at a time??? So I skpped it. I usually get the yellow bottle Water conditioner but I got a ZOO MED New Approved REPTI SAFE Water conditioner this time clear bottle ble liquid and blue cap...Any comments appreciated Thank you.