Habitat - Indoor :: basking area - got new bulb but isnt warm? - help!!

[amylawton]

went to get new bulb and the petshop lady who i presumed knew what she was on about sold me a new bulb for my lamp.

36%UVA 8%UVB 15W is what is printed on the bulb and it has pics or turtles on the box so i hope it is the right one. it doesnt put out heat at all just light

the girls have just come in from a pond for winter and they dont bask under this new lamp, probably because there is no heat. have i got the wrong bulb? or i need a heatlamp as well?? do i keep the perspex cover over the bulb?

they will be missing basking as they usually have fullsun outside to bask in

[steve]

Sounds like you just have a UVB bulb. You can use a regular candescent bulb for a basking lamp. Covering the bulb will prevent the heat, so you don't want that. It can also block the UVB. If you are concerned about splashes, you can get a splash-proof bulb (which I think are all halogen).

[amylawton]

thanks steve, you would think petshop specialising in aquariums would be more helpful
is the 8%UVB enough? or should it be higher % of UVB? will set up another bulb for heat

[marisa]

The 8% should be OK. Don't go lower than 5% UVB.

[amylawton]

Thanks guys,
got a great heatlamp cheap, (recession good for sales) and i put sides around their mesh cage to warm the area more and they are happy turtles.