Urgent Care :: Eye problem

[tara.u]

I've had the turtle for a week now. She hasn't eaten most likely due to relocation shock. But now I've noticed both of her eyes are really bothering her. She keeps rubbing them. And they are red at the corner towards her nose. I clean the tank once a week, and there is a filter being used at all hours.

[penelope]

Do you have a new UVB light; those can bother the eyes at first
Can you post a pic?

[tara.u]

We do have a UVB light. We have that and a day blue light. We noticed today that the day blue light blew a circuit? Basically, it smells like somethings burning.

[steve]

It does look a bit irritated. Do you add or change the carbon when doing a water change? How long have you been using that UVB light? Can you try an incandescent instead of the day blue light?

[tara.u]

I'm not sure what you mean by "carbon." I change the filter cartridge once a month. The UVB light has been used since we first got her a week ago. I turn it off for 12 hours every day. I would love to try an incandescent bulb, but I read you can't buy them just anywhere. They have to be meant for pets. Do you know where I can find one?

[steve]

Carbon... activated carbon. The little black things that you add to the filter.

Did the eye irritation coincide with the eye irritation? How close is it to the tank?

Incandescent bulbs are your standard 60 watt bulbs... they still sell them at home depot.

As for pet-specific bulbs, that's for UVB or MVB. A lot of people here use incandescent or halogens for light/basking.

[tara.u]

Interesting..

There's some black stuff inside the cartridge...

My bulbs are on top of the tank. There's a cover.

Her eyes have gotten a little better. I only say that because she's not scratching as much today.

Thank you for everyones help!

[tara.u]

Her eyes are much better. She doesn't scratch at all anymore.

[steve]

Great, what did you change?

[tara.u]

I changed the day light bulb. Cleaned the water. That's it.

[TortsNTurtles]

Was it a spiral bulb? Did you change it to another type? I am curious as so many say the spiral UVB lights can harm the eyes.

[dumbork14]

Was it a spiral bulb? Did you change it to another type? I am curious as so many say the spiral UVB lights can harm the eyes.

The spiral is the exoterra-reptiglo, while the CFL type is Zoomed-reptisun, is that what you're asking?



Personally I prefer the reptisun, while others prefer the reptiglo.

Yeah, I've heard some product recall way back that the lamp can cause irritation, even blindness, if not properly "burned-in".

Anyway, these brands have instructions on them, so currently they're good to go.

[lovemyturtles]

I would like to chime in about the lights b/c I have encountered difficulty with lights burning out prematurely. Initially, I tried using basking bulbs from the pets store and each one burned out long before 3,000 hours. Given the cost and the hassle of replacing the lights I decided to try lights from Lowes. I currently use a 125 W basking bulb from GE. This particular light needs to be positioned about 14 inches overhead to achieve the correct basking temp. I have had it now for two months with no problems. In another habitat I use GE Miser 85W bulbs - one red and one blue. These lights need to be positioned a bit closer to the dock because they aren't as strong but the turtle responds well to these lights. I light the blue especially, because it puts out heat without creating a blinding glare and seems to work well for a nightlight. The softer lighting also helps to cut back on algae growth (although I kind of like a little algae b/c I heard it softens hard water). It isn't a black light but more of a mood light that provides heat.

For UVB I use reptiglow. So far this brand has worked well. No eye problems whatsoever.

In my area Tractor Supply has a large selection of lights for a good price. Overall I am not pleased with the products at the pet store...it seems like most of the turtle accessories are overpriced and useless, especially the dome lamp fixture - expensive and poorly made. I have experienced more satisfaction with Bayco clamp fixtures found at Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart for one third the cost.

[steve]

How long are the lights running per day?