Equipment Review and Discussion :: Help w/ turtle shell, UVB/basking set n equip purchased

[TartarugaVerde]

quick question,

I just bought a Exo Terra Repti Glo 5.0 Compact Fluorescent bulb 26W

my turtle is about 1.6inches

i see it basking and chilling... but here is what i notice:

since the bulb sticks a bit out/off from the Fluker's Porcelain Clamp Lamps - http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2753959

The habitat is on top of my desk in my room, so when the light is on...it really bother my eyes... after 5mins i cannot take it anymore...
what should i do? hahahahaah

i noticed my turtle basking and sometimes with its eyes shut... i only had it for 3days... HELP ! I DONT WANT FUTURE PROBLEMS...

here is some info about my set up and what i current have in it: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25997

[water level is 5inches higher now.... still]

here is a pic of my current set-up:



i noticed that my turtle has black thick lines between the scutes growing fast... i already reduced food to 4mini reptomin babe.... no more dried shrimp etc...

3weeks before


now




pls let me know if I bought good products for my turtle i still have the receipts to change if I have to.



thanks- i really appreciate your knowledgeable advice,

[Undertoad]

You have the right gear but it may not be in the ideal position to encourage basking. The best way to know is by measuring the temperature of the basking area. If it's 10 degrees warmer than the water you're in the right zone. My water is 78 and my basking area is 90.

[TartarugaVerde]

awesome, thaanks... how about the UVB?
too far? i've seen people doing it much closer...
the turtle basks...

[Undertoad]

I think you should get the UVB bulb closer. You can get it as close as possible; you can even just put it on the screen there. A 75-watt hot bulb is pretty hot, so that's probably the right distance for it, just guessing.

[TartarugaVerde]

.....so i might have to do that ...for real!

thanks,

[papoopeepoo]

First off, the heat bulb is probably a bit too far away from the basking area to get it to a ~90 degree F ambient temperature. You can probably just clamp the lamp to the actual brim of the tank, just make sure you use an accurate thermometer with an external probe to take the temperature reading.

Second, the UVB bulb should be pointed directly to the basking area. UV rays only penetrate water for a few inches, and are quickly diffused. So make sure the UVB bulb is pointed directly at the basking platform.

Third, the screen you have on top of the tank is blocking any UV rays the lamp is giving off. Right now the UV bulb is not doing anything for your turtle. UV rays penetrate well through holes thats are at least 1/2" by 1/2". Search the forums for egg crate, it is a popular tool for experienced owners.

Finally, the black lines in between the scutes are a sign of quick growth. When the turtles are that size, they do usually grow quickly. If the gaps get much bigger, make sure you slow down the protein and fat intake in the turtle's diet. Make sure you are offering vegetables even if the turtle refuses them.

For example:
The 75-watt incandescent bulb is about 8 inches from where the turtle usually basks. I don't have the same type of UV bulb as you, but it should be roughly the same distance from the top of the shell while basking. Depending on the season, for my setup that's between 15-12 inches.


Taking the ambient temperature of the entire basking area with my infrared thermometer.


It's HOT today! My readings are usually about 92-95 degrees.


But, she loves it!

[TartarugaVerde]

Chris.... thank you so much for your help... i noticed the black lines increased man....

my turtle will start its diet today... no more dried shrimp and just 1 reptomin for a week at least...

i will remove the screen and get the thermometer i need...