Habitat - Indoor :: Ok, so I know it's all about distance...

[MoreBloodWine]

Ok, so alot of you know right now Niko is in a small tank and I am working on the larger setup but want to get all of the small items out of the way before I worry about the tnak / stand themselves. Anyway, I know it's all about height (tank to light) but is a 100W MVB to much ? I only ask because if a lower wattage would suffice then fine. Like I said it I know it depends on placement from light to tank that really determines the amount of heat etc that gets down to the basking spot but ya, is 100W to much or an MVB ?

[speedynlucky]

Off the mega ray site for 100w SB

MINIMUM distance setting of 12" will produce approximately 150-200 microwatts per square centimeter (uW/cm2) of UVB and 900-1200uW/cm2 of UVA.

MAXIMUM distance setting of 20" will produce 50-75 microwatts per square centimeter (uW/cm2) of UVB. (Distance is measured from lamp face to basking spot or reptile for optimum UVB and heat.)

I use the 160w megaray and I keep mine 19-20" from the turtles using a zoomed lamp stand. The distance for the 160w is actually recommended at longer distances than your 100W

[Daniel3507]

the 100w will do fine. different bulbs have different requirements so be sure and follow manufacturers instructions on distance setting

[megcornell]

You're planning on getting a tank that is at least 55 gallons then right?
Anything smaller and you'd have a very warm tank.

[MoreBloodWine]

the 100w will do fine. different bulbs have different requirements so be sure and follow manufacturers instructions on distance setting

Well, like I said I know it's all about distance, I just wasnt sure if 100W would be to much.

Even then, on the whole distance thing... sure you wana make sure the bulb is close enough so the full effects of the rays get to your turtle. However, you also dont want it so close that yoru basking spot is outrageously warm. Like right now, I keep Nikos basking spot at the low to mid 90's and he/she seems to love it while the water is always maintained at a constant 80 dergees.

Here's a link for the actual bulb I'd be getting when I order it with some of the other smaller items.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/239526/product.web

You're planning on getting a tank that is at least 55 gallons then right?
Anything smaller and you'd have a very warm tank.

I'm planning on one of the four following tanks for Niko as a Life (forever) tank, the only difference is about 6" in height and or a foot on overall length. Whichever one I go with even if it were A as the smallest would be perfect as a life (forever) tank from what I've been reading / been told by others here.

A) 60 x 24 x 24 - 148.94 gallons

B) 60 x 24 x 30 - 186.31 gallons

C) 72 x 24 x 24 - 178.94 gallons

D) 72 x 24 x 30 - 223.68 galloins

All of the approx gallons figured were calculated using the following site...

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/calculator.php

[marisa]

Rather than the PowerSun, I'd get either a Mega-Ray or a T-Rex Active UVB Heat bulb. Their made by the same company, and both have a better reputation.

For any of the size tanks you've listed, a 100-watt MVB won't be "too much," and depending on how much surface area there is, you can use it with something a bit smaller. I'm using one on a 40-gallon stock tank with no problem, and I've got a 160-watt bulb on a 110-gallon stock tank. You just need to pay attention to the mfgr's recommendations for distance.