Habitat - Indoor :: Should I use my light on the screen lid?

[countrygal_cc]

Hey my name is countrygal_cc
I am new to the group. I sure
am glad I found this website.
Last week I bought a red ear slider.
A baby one. He is an inch and three quarters.
I went to the pet store this past Mon.
The lady in the pet store told me to
buy a 10 gallon tank and a light
to go over the screen lid. She told me
I could just place the light on top of
the lid. I bought a daylight bulb.
I read on here it isn't good to place
the light on a screen lid. What should
I do? It is a pretty big light. As for a filter
she told me I would need to get one of
those pretty soon. This is one thing I don't
have yet is a filter. Can I use a filter in
water that is about 2 inches? What kind
of filter do I need? I bought some of the
pellet food for him and some of the turtle food
I have that came with him. He isn't eating much
yet. I am quiet worried about the water cause it
gets dirty so easy. I am new to having a turtle
set up in an aquarium so any tips I could use
please. I found some creek rocks how many should
be in there? Any ideas and help I would love.

Thanks,
Misty

[sonyj]

I'd like to point out the basic care section that you can read from the main site, it will answer a lot of your questions. Also take time to read through the stickies on the forum.

If you are using a screen the holes/openings need to be larger than 1/2 inch. Do you have both a UVB bulb that emits 7-10% UVB rays as well as a heat bulb.

The ten gallon tank is OK for now but you need to know that he can't stay in that long, as he grows so should his home. Recommended minimum size tank is 10 per inch of turtle. Also, RES are aquatic and need as much water in their home as we can give them. Fill the tank all the way up as much as you can without giving him a way to escape. If you haven't done so already, get a basking dock to put under the lights, preferably one that floats so not to take up valuable swimming room.

One reason the water is getting so dirty is that there is not enough water in there... 2 inches is a very small amount for a RES. Also, a filter rated for 3x's the tank size is a MUST for a turtle. Turtles are messier than fish and need a good filter in their habitat to maintain good water quality. Poor water quality can lead to a number a health related issues.

If you have any other questions after reading the main site (links found at the top of the page), just ask.

[marisa]

If you use a screen with holes that are 3/8 of an inch, you will sacrifice some UVB rays (about 30%), but depending on the strength of the UVB light and if the light is in a reflective dome, it's OK to do.

[Sally]

The screen covers that the petstores sell (like this one http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp18101/si1320285/cl0/esureptilescreencover15h20gallonmediummesh) for reptiles have really small holes. Wouldn't the manufacturer have tested the transmittance of the light through the screen (is it only UV that's reduced significantly or UV and white light)? I was just looking at them today when I bought a new lamp. I bought some wood and mesh (with bigger holes) to make my own but I'd rather have bought one so I don't have to worry about it being damaged from the heat.

One other question: why isn't it good to put the lamp on the screen? That's what I was planning to do with this new lamp I bought.

[marisa]

It's the UVB rays that are compromised with the use of a screen, and no, I don't think this has been tested by the mfgr. Just know that any barrier will cut down on the amount of UVB rays your turtle gets, some barriers more than others.

Some people cut out the screen where the UVB light will be (personally this seems like a waste). I don't think I said it wasn't good to put the light on the screen, in fact, some people do do this (assuming the screen can support the weight of the lamp). The description in the link you gave claims the screen can withstand high temps. If you use a regular UVB light, it will give off minimal heat and isn't an issue. (Since your tank is currently smaller, you probably wouldn't be using a high wattage heat source either.)

You could still make a screen with larger holes with the mesh and wood you bought. (The mesh isn't plastic, is it?) If you used hardware cloth (comes in 1/4 and 1/2 inch holes), I think you'd be able to put the lamp on it as well.