Habitat - Indoor :: How to keep your water clear

[cam722]

Yeah, I bought some today and am going to put it in once Sputnik is done basking. I also bought a temprature gauge for this basking area and a new bulb. I don't think his basking spots getting warm enough cause of the distance from the lamp to the surface, but I don't know how to get the lamp closer.

Bought same wattage bulb, just a diffrent brand, we'll give that a go.

Are you talking about a UVB bulb or a heat bulb? If it's the heat bulb.. you can use just a regular household light bulb.. those are much easier to upgrade for the proper wattage to get the basking temp correct. A lot cheaper than going out and buying those expensive reptile heat lights.

[VelvetAlley]

I know, I have 60 watt house bulbs, I've tried them. I wasn't all too impressed with the heat they put out either.

I bought one that claims to be more "focused". It's difficult to get light exactly on the platform, I'd say 80% of it hits the platform. I bought a thermometer and placed it there, so we'll see how my current bulb does and how the new one does.

My light is about a foot from the surface, and this new bulb claims it can get the temprature to 90 something from that far away, well we'll see about that!

[Muirner]

just pay close attention, if it's to close then you will have a shot to knock your turtle out and fry him. Start out farther away and then move in closer... Rather be to hot then to cold. After you get it set, monitor the temps for a few days at least.

[VelvetAlley]

well what's really neat about Sputnik, is that he only basks in the afternoon, probably from 1-4pm. I have his tank setup so that the afternoon sun shines through this big window we have and hits just a corner of his tank. It doesn't cook his enclosure, I've checked the temprature with my hand before to make sure. He seems to know, when the real rays will be hitting his tank, cause even though his light comes on at 7am, he's normally only on the platform during that time of day.

This tells me he's either spoiled by getting the natural rays, or his basking spot could be a bit warmer artifically. I'll keep ya posted tomorrow.