Habitat - Indoor :: Are heaters and UVB Lights very necessary?

[joopt]

Right now I keep my 3 year old RES in a 28 gallon tank with a couple rocks a floating dock and a filter but I don't know If i should get a heater and a UVB Light and how much would it cost?

Oh and should I let my floating dock just move around everywhere because the filter moves it around alot should i glue it or something

[untsmurf]

You need a dock that is secured to the wall. And make sure your turtle can climb onto it and be completely out of the water.

The lighting is necessary. It allows your turtle to dry off, which keeps his shell healthy and free from shell rot. The UVB light also allows him to process nutrients that he gets from his food, things like calcium that make him healthy.

As far as cost, with the heat all you need is a house bulb which you either will have lying around the house or can get for $0.50. The UVB bulb will be a little more expensive, the regular UVB bulbs usually run around $15. Other than that you just need the fixtures to screw them into. If you have extra desk lamps lying around your house, you can use them for free. Or you can get clamp lamps from your local hardware store (they are much cheaper than the ones at the pet store) they usually cost about $10 each.

Also, you should work on saving up for a larger enclosure for your turtle. If it's a healthy three year old turtle, it should be about 4''-5'' in length, which means it needs at least a 50 gallon enclosure. You can use rubbermaid tubs (with reinforced sides) or stock tanks (purchased at tractor/farm stores because they're used for watering large animals like horses).

[joopt]

Should I hot glue the floating dock to the walls of the tank or should I do something else?

And what watt lightbulb should I use for UVA

[untsmurf]

UVA is provided by the house bulb.

Don't hot glue it. What kind of basking area do you have?

[joopt]

UVA is provided by the house bulb.

Don't hot glue it. What kind of basking area do you have?

At the moment its just a floating dock floating on the tank moving around with no lights or anything im planning on getting some soon but it's pretty expensive

[joopt]

I think i'll just get him a UVA Light for now and later on a UVB Light when I have extra cash

[jozzep]

I think i'll just get him a UVA Light for now and later on a UVB Light when I have extra cash

If you can't afford $20 for a bulb, dude you should just bring the turtle back where you got it.No offence.

[untsmurf]

Is there anyway to get a pic of the dock? or can you find a link to it online?

I don't know of any basking dock that doesn't come with some way to secure it to the tank. There are floating objects like the turtle log and things, but there not meant to be basking docks.

[theartbook35]

I think i'll just get him a UVA Light for now and later on a UVB Light when I have extra cash

If you can't afford $20 for a bulb, dude you should just bring the turtle back where you got it.No offence.

You don't know why this person got the turtle to begin with.

Someone could've given the animal as a gift, or he could have taken it from a person who was caring for it poorly, or a variety or other scenarios.

I got mad someone on here once, who couldn't afford turtle supplies. Caphits brought up a great that the person might've been a fourteen year old kid with obnoxious and cheap parents.

Anyways, to the topic starter: Most of us either attach our floating docks to a tank wall with suction cups. Usually, most docks come with a suction cup or two. Make sure it's dipped on an angle in the water, so that the turtle can climb up onto it. Some of us have also resorted to making above tank basking areas (ATBA), and there is a big thread here with tons of pictures of them.

[joopt]

My parents don't think my turtles are "important" enough to spend money on.. so yeah..

and i'm too young to work

[joopt]

I think i'll just get him a UVA Light for now and later on a UVB Light when I have extra cash

If you can't afford $20 for a bulb, dude you should just bring the turtle back where you got it.No offence.

You don't know why this person got the turtle to begin with.

Someone could've given the animal as a gift, or he could have taken it from a person who was caring for it poorly, or a variety or other scenarios.

I got mad someone on here once, who couldn't afford turtle supplies. Caphits brought up a great that the person might've been a fourteen year old kid with obnoxious and cheap parents.

Anyways, to the topic starter: Most of us either attach our floating docks to a tank wall with suction cups. Usually, most docks come with a suction cup or two. Make sure it's dipped on an angle in the water, so that the turtle can climb up onto it. Some of us have also resorted to making above tank basking areas (ATBA), and there is a big thread here with tons of pictures of them.

My floating dock didn't come with any suction cups, i got the dock, thats all

[joopt]

Is there anyway to get a pic of the dock? or can you find a link to it online?

I don't know of any basking dock that doesn't come with some way to secure it to the tank. There are floating objects like the turtle log and things, but there not meant to be basking docks.

just a regular dock that floats thats all.. nothing else

[jozzep]

You don't know why this person got the turtle to begin with.

Someone could've given the animal as a gift, or he could have taken it from a person who was caring for it poorly, or a variety or other scenarios.

So?What does that mean?
If he can't provide for it either, what good did that do?lol

[theartbook35]

I think it would be a great idea if you showed this website to your parents, so they could see there is a lot more to turtle care. The turtle is important, and they need to get that.

Turtles don't just sit around like other reptiles, or like your fluffy kittens and puppies. Turtles need care similar to a young child, and even though you have one of the easiest turtle species, they are a responsibility.

For your turtle's health, the UVB and UVA are required, as well as a floating dock or ATBA that still stay put. You can use a regular house bulb for heat for now, since money is an issue. UVB is available at pet stores and online. UVB bulbs usually cost twenty dollars, if you live in the United States. If each of your parents contributes 10 bucks, they should be able to afford a UVB bulb just fine. Make sure it's a curly shape, just like the curly shape that those "green" bulbs are. A regular "green" bulbs are not to be used for turtles, nothing useful comes from those. I once made the mistake of buying a daylight bulb instead of an actual UVB.

While at the pet store you should pick up a better floating dock that will stick to the tank wall very easily. The prices of docks vary depending on the type of dock. (Try to stay away from zoomed foam docks, and lounge lilies, the paint peels and the turtle's eat them, not good at all).

Is there a relative who lives close to you, that can help you out, like an Aunt or Uncle, or maybe a grandparent? Maybe ask them for a little bit of assistance.

Just note that there is a chance that if no one you know can help you out, for the sake of the turtle, you may have to find it a new home. I'm sure you probably love your turtle a lot, but if you can afford the care, which is out of your hands, and if your parents don't care, the turtle is a little bit screwed.

[untsmurf]

I agree that you should try showing the caresheet to your parents, that might convince them of your turtle's needs.

And, to clarify, other reptiles and 'fluffy kittens and puppies' are a responsibility as well, not just turtles

For now, you can try and make a basking area for your turtles, it might be cheaper than buying one. I've seen people using pvc pipe to made a stand, then placing something like a tile on top. Individual tiles usually only cost a dollar or two (maybe less if you don't care what it looks like) and pvc pipe is only $1-2 a piece.

You might also stack bricks along the side until its just above the water level. It might take away from swimming space for now and it might not be pretty, but it will allow your turtle to dry off completely. Just watch your turtle's shell to make sure it doesn't get scratched (if it does, you can put some of that no-slip shelf liner stuff down, it's really cheap)