Habitat - Indoor :: some general questions

[Kiyomi]

When I got my turtle, I knew very little about their needs, such as proper lighting and tank size as such. I've had him for a year now, but I still have questions.

1. I know that turtles require both UVA and UVB light, so I got a bulb from Zoo Med, called the Repti Basking Spot Lamp. But I recently saw a website that told me that this brand provides no UVB and with only this bulb, my turtle could get MBD. Does anyone know any good brands that fit into a socket like an ordinary bulb and provide UVB light?

2. I keep my turtle in a 30 gallon aquarium with glass sides. I put in gravel on the bottom, because the guy I bought the tank from told me the turtle wouldn't try to eat it. But lately I've been seeing Melvin (my turtle) picking up pieces then spitting them out. Is he actually eating them, and if he is, what can I do to stop him?

Thank you for any reccomendations or suggestions.

[scripta_elegans]

Reptisun makes uvb lamps/bulbs that fit in a regular socket which you can get in 5 or 10 percent UVB. Big Al's.com has them for 20.00 right now. If you need a heat and uvb light, I believe the all in one lights can be found for 50.00 ish. If you need a second fixture to put the uvb bulb in, they also have clamp lamps. The prices are way better there than anywhere else I have looked. If the gravel is the size of, or smaller than the turtles head it can be swallowed and cause GI impaction, or in other words stop the turtle from passing waste, which can be fatal. I would say if it is smaller or close to the same size, get rid of it, especially if they are biting it. I am looking for big rocks to put in the tank with my little turtles right now. I'll let you know if I find a good deal on any! Nicole

[N4784N R4613]

1) If you only have one light bulb socket over the basking spot and want to keep it that way then this is the bulb for you. I use this for my two RES and it has worked fine. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 006+113030

2) You need to take out anything in the tank thats smaller then your turtle's head(not including neck at least twice the size of his head and is non-edible). Turtles will try to eat anything thats small enough (and sometimes things that are to big lol) and that can cause serious problems(and sometimes death).

I hope this is helpful,

Nathan Radle,

[steve]

The light linked above does put out alot of UVA, UVB, and heat so make sure you have a large enough tank to use this with. You will also need a lamp fixture to hold it as well.

[Kiyomi]

I got my turtle a new (and rather expensive) light that provides both UVA and UVB. I've also provided some cuttle bone to help make up for the few weeks when he only had UVA. I'll be replacing he gravel soon. Thanks for the suggestions!