General Care Discussion :: How often should i take my turtle out?

[Meta]

Ive been taking my turtle outside for some sunlight all week for about 20-30 minutes a day. Is that sufficient? When will i see results for more shell benefits.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

If you dont have uva/uvb light and just taking your turtle outside thats not enough. Your turtle needs hours of basking.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Painteds4life - You can follow Meta's various threads, and you'll see that they have sufficient UVB and basking bulbs, the turtle just has some stubborn scutes.

Meta - 20-30 minutes a day should be fine, but again, it may take many months before you see anything. If you are this concerned, maybe consider seeing a vet for additional ideas.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Taking the turtle in unfiltered sun light isnt going to really do much. You just increasing the amount of rays getting to the turtle. Your using a 10.0 bulb so it is getting plenty of uvb. This would indicate its more of a nutritional problem.

Which from reading over your posts you seem to have been working on a more varied diet. this will helps its shell the most.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

@Meta- Have you used cuttlebone? Cuttlebone helps the shell from pyramiding and makes it easier for your turtle to shed. Do you offer cuttlebone? Also, if the turtle's diet is balanced, it should also help.

[mikee]

Meta - If you are using a 10.0, it may be too strong. I find the .5 does a little better. The 10.0 will cause eye damage. m.

[Meta]

Meta - If you are using a 10.0, it may be too strong. I find the .5 does a little better. The 10.0 will cause eye damage. m.

ive used 10 for 2 years, no problems

[marisa]

I use Reptisun 10.0 tubes and have never had any problems with them. And I think unfiltered sunlight on a regular basis can do wonders for the shell (more than UVB lights, with the exception of some mercury vapor bulbs).

Meta, the suns rays are far stronger than a UVB light's. If you take your turtle out for unfiltered sunlight several times a week for 30 min - 1 hour, his UVB needs should be met. But do not expect magic in terms of shell benefits, especially if you've only been doing it for a week. Diet also plays a role, and any changes you see will take place over time.

[~TurtleDerp~]

How many watts should my blue day incandescent light bulb be & my red night incandescent light be? By the way - he has a plastic tank of about 5 gallons (Don't worry I'm getting him another tank soon - he's starting to grow. He's like 3 yrs. & an inch & a half in length.)

[steve]

This is a bit of an old topic to bump, but incandescent bulbs should as far as away as necessary to maintain the desired temperature. Safety is very important so do not keep it too close to the turtle and make sure the bulb is out of it's reach.

[~TurtleDerp~]

I was going to do that - but my light is the type of light that is over the cage & i don't want to melt the plastic - so what should I do? ):

[steve]

You will need to use either a different screen or something like a lamp stand.

[~TurtleDerp~]

Thank you so much! I didn't even think about a lamp stand!

[amwassil]

Hi, I (and/or the wife) take our red eared sliders out every day for an hour or two when it's warm and sunny. They all love to walk in the grass, even the little babies! Of course, I suspect they think they're making the great escape. The sun and the exercise give them the UV they need and tires them out so they go to sleep at lights out. And, yes, we've got heat and UV lights on the terrariums, but it's not like the real thing outside.

Michael

[AmberEve]

I have the same question. We just got two juveniles from two different pet stores back in June and July. I've researched and researched. There is one video that says that because they are aquatic turtles that they are happiest in the water and don't need to be taken out. However, turtle forums advise to interact and play with RES turtles and to take them outside. I have what I'm hoping is the proper lighting for them with a UV bulb and a basking bulb directly over their turtle dock. I take them out every once in awhile and let them crawl around outside. I worry about the transfer outside stressing them out. I used to just carry them outside, but it seemed like they were getting dizzy. I tried putting them in a towel so they don't get dizzy, but it seemed like that pissed them off. (I wouldn't want to be placed in a towel and covered up either) I have resorted to just using one of the boxes I have left from transporting them home from the pet store and that seems to work well. (they don't get dizzy and they're not pissed off when I uncover them). But anyway, my question is.. take them out or don't take them out if they already have the lighting they need?