Habitat - Indoor :: What do you think about my new aquarium?

[vieniebebe]

Now before you critisize about the size of the aquarium, I would just like to say that I tried. I tried really hard, but I had no choice, so she will have to live in a 10 Gallon for another year.

Before, I had a pretty good filter, a dock, fake plants, and a top with regular lights in it.

http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o275 ... 1967-1.jpg

Today, we went to Petco, and $170 later...A new 10 Gallon...don't critisize...I just couldn't get anything larger.
A $70 ,50 watt UVA/UVB lamp...it's a bit much, but it was the best solution.
And the tiny bulb is red, but it doesn't give off any color.
A new filter...real expensive too.
A terrarium hood, live plants and a new water conditioner and some thermometer thing.
Here is how it looks like now.
http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o275 ... 1968-1.jpg
http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o275 ... 1969-1.jpg
http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o275 ... 1971-1.jpg
http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o275 ... 1972-1.jpg

[Starchick]

What kind of uva/uvb bulb did you find? If it's a mercury vapor bulb, watch your temps like a hawk, those things get really hot and could probably boil your turtle alive in a 10 gallon tank.

[vieniebebe]

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=3039686

It's this one. It's not very hot though...and she just sits half way in the water...man, I really need a new basking area. Petco was just really limited.

[Starchick]

I have never seen that before! Interesting.

[vieniebebe]

Yea. The stupid thing cost me $70. But does it look ok? It's a 50 watt...I'm not sure if it's UVA or UVB that's 50 watt. UVB is round, and UVA bulb is really tiny, and red, but isn't very hot...it's hot when you touch it, but it's not really hot on her dock. It also doesn't give off red light. It's not bright at all. It also has 2 switches...so I could turn one of them off and leave the other off.

Any suggestions on how long I can keep it on, so I don't harm Vien?

[BullDog]

Well, as you know, the 10 gal is very small.
I would suggest if it's only going to be for a year before you can get a bigger tank, find a 50 gal rubbermaid storage container, and take the 10 gal back if you can.
You'll get a lot more tank for a lot less money!

I've never used that lamp, but I think I've seen it once before. Just make sure it does say somewhere on there, "X.0% UVB". "Full Spectrum" doesn't count.

Also, Judging by the tail and nails, I'd say your Vien is a "he", not a "she".

[vieniebebe]

Well the reason I can't have more than 10 gallons of water, is because my parents are remodeling the house and don't want any spills...but I am going to college next year, so I can get her a much bigger tank and put it in my apartment...Trust me, I tried to talk them into even a 20 gallon...I even considered giving her away, but I just couldn't. I am sure that none of the people I know would buy her a $70 lamp...

The box is gone. It said 50 watt...

[Nettle]

For heat, most people just use a regular incandescent light bulb. I use a 100 watt because my room's cold.

[Bumby's Mom]

50 watts is an awful lot for UVB output. It says it is for desert lizards which makes me think it would be the equivalent of the 10.0 UVB bulbs that Exoterra makes and I know those are strongly frowned upon. Keep an eye on her and make sure her eyes don't swell up or get irritated and keep an eye on the temp of the water and basking dock.

[hdaisog]

Your turtle looks like a him not a her.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Why are your parents worried about spills? I mean, if a 75 gallon tank breaks, sure, there's a mess, but a good, new 20-40 gallon tank won't break. There are even spill detectors that you can find. Your turtle is much too big for just a 10 gallon and very soon, he won't be able to move at all, or turn himself around. And you definitely have a little boy on your hands!

[Racer_X_123]

If the UVB coming from the light is trying to pass through the metal screen on the top of your tank, the UVB wavelength will be blocked by any screen that is tighter than a 1/2" wide grid.

this means that the uvb is getting blocked completely by your screen on the top of your tank