Habitat - Indoor :: Question on placement of light

[ZombieTurtle]

hey, i was wondering about how the light setup over basking area should be. i know you need uvb and heat over the baskign area and ive had this for a while, but im just curious about few details.
Both of my lights are over the basking area but the light does hit the water. My turtle comes out on the basking area everyday, but i do see him sitting in the water where the light hits everyday also. Should i change the lights to only hit the baskign area and not hit the water at all? or is it fine how it is. (the temperatures are correct but im not really sure on how far away the uvb light should be from the basking dock.
Ive seen pictures of people having the uvb light over the dock and the water in some cases and just wondering whats the best setup because sometimes i do see the turtle sitting on the dock(the ramp thats in the water).

[marisa]

The light is warming the water where it hits it and your turtle most likely enjoys hanging out in it. If the temps are correct and your turtle is basking, I don't think I'd change anything. You most likely will eventually see some algae growing on the edge of the basking area, though (the heat and light will help contribute to it). If you chose to focus the light more tightly, check the basking area temp again to make sure it's the same.

As for the UVB light, what type do you have and how much UVB does it emit?

[Safdar]

Its okay to have the light hit the water. The heat is what attracts the turtle to bask. Just make sure the water surrounding the basking dock isnt too hot.
Keep the UVB around 7-10 inches away from the basking dock, compared to your brand and power of bulb. What bulb do u have anyway

[ZombieTurtle]

i bought the bulb like 3 months ago and i threw the empty package out like a month ago, i dont remember which kind it is anymore. i think its a 75watt (some kinda of reptile light, with uva-uba. i have it clamped the side of the tank and angled down to hit the dock, but it also hits the water, should i change it so it hangs directly over? the water gets kind of a lot of light, wasnt sure if the water should be darker and the only place light should hit is the dock.

[marisa]

A 75-watt reptile light with UVA and UVB? I'm unfamiliar with any UVB bulb that's 75 watts (they're flourescent and the wattage is lower). An MVB (mercury vapor bulb) would give out both types of rays, but I don't know of any self-ballasted one that's only 75 watts...Is this new? Please make sure you really have a UVB light.

[ZombieTurtle]

Im not positive if its 75 watts, i might be 25 or 50 now that i think about it, im positive its uvb and it doesnt give off any heat at all. im goign to try to find a link for it but i cant garrantee it (and its not mvb bulb)

[ZombieTurtle]

Turns out i found it, and i was completely wrong haha, its only 20 watts. (sorry). http://www.petlanddiscounts.com/detail. ... _id=455441

i also have spare bulb laying around, the exo-terra sun glo daylight lamp, which on the box states basking light bulb but it never got warm so i replaced it with the current bulb im using now, zoo med spot basking light bulb. i think the exo-terra puts out uvb but im not positive.

[SpotsMama]

The UVB (the 20 watt bulb) bulb appears to be fine. Any bulb that puts out UVB also puts out UVA, so you've got them both covered with that bulb.

For the heat bulb, all you really need is an incandescent bulb that will warm the basking area. If the exo terra is warm (incandescent) then it will do the job but you don't really need to spend the money for a special bulb for heat. A regular household light bulb will do. I think a lot of people use a 75 watt bulb.

On how far away the UVB bulb should be, if you're sure what you have is the 7% version of the bulb like in your link, you might try it at 10" to 12" from the basking turtle's back. If you notice any indications of eye irritation, move it a bit further away. If it were me, I'd probably try to google it and see if I could find some manufacturers suggestions on the optimum distance or else email the company to be sure.

[ZombieTurtle]

Thanks. yeah i have a basking/heat bulb i dont use that exoterra i found it to be useless. Im going to try to move the 2 light setup i have now so its not clamped on to the side of the tank anymore. im going to suspend them over the tank i think it will make them a better distance from the tank and be more useful for the turtle to bask under. thanks.