Habitat - Indoor :: Lighting queries

[shereenchn]

I've been going through some threads but can't seem to find the answer to my doubt. well, this is about the lighting of an indoor aquarium.

i have 1 hatchling (about 2 inches), and he's new in my apartment. well, i do not have a strong interest for any aquatic animals. but i practically LOVE animals. so well, this turtle was mistreated and i had to take care of it. there are a few health issues arising already but i need to set out his habitat straight as well.

hmm so i understand that there are 2 kinds of lighting needed. one that provides UVA/UVB & another that provides heat.
is it UVA AND UVB needed or just either one?
is there such a lighting that would give off the necessary rays, heat and light needed?
the other lighting that is supposed to give off heat is usually accessible by just using a usual "home" light bulb?
how do i make use of the natural sunlight for my turtle .. is there specific timings and durations that the turtles should be exposed to sunlight as i read somewhere beefore that if im using a bulb that i should turn it on for 3-4 hours a day .. but lets say thats correct, how do i give the turtle the heat needed from the bulb that provides the light as well?

is there anyway to cut as much cost as possible as im living alone due to work along with a mini schnauzer, 4 mice, a tarantula, insects that the tank needs to be cleaned (for feeding the tarantula), and now adding on to the family is a RES that i have no idea how to go about taking care of it! its quite a lot of work here though but im enjoying every part of it!

[marisa]

Both UVB and UVA rays are needed. A regular UVB light will provide some UVA rays. When buying a UVB light, make sure it says on the package that it is indeed a UVB light, not just a full spectrum bulb. Heat is also needed, and you can provide that will a regular lightbulb. In Singapore, though, I don't think keeping the basking area warm is going to be a problem unless you've got the turtle in a room with AC. Basking area temp should be 88-90F.

There are lights that provide UVB, UVA and heat (combination mercury vapor lights), but they're not for small tanks (as a guide, 50 gallon tanks and up are fine) since they give off a lot of heat. I'm not sure I'd use one with a really small hatchling. For artifical lighting, you want to replicate the daylight hours, with the lights on for an average of 12 hours a day.

Being in Singapore, though, you've got great natural light (and warmth) that your turtle could really benefit from. It just can't be through a window, plexiglass or other similar barrier, which will filter out the UVB rays. Can you take him outside for regular sunlight? Is it possible to create a set-up outside (like on a balcony) for him to spend time in, one that's escape-proof, predator proof and has some shade?

[megcornell]

For lights, you need a UVA light (which is the heat light), this can be a regular house light bulb. And you'll need a UVB light (if you can't find one locally, you can order online ). Living where you live, you can also take your turtle outside to get sunlight for natural UVB exposure. You can't set the tank up near a window though because it will overheat the water.

[shereenchn]

even with a temperature like this the water seems rather cold so i guess i'll get a thermometer and use a regular lighting first. i'll be using a plastic one container as im thinking of only buying a glass tank aquarium when im more "experienced" and when the turtle is bigger. but by using a plastic container (deep, wide, long), will the toxins from the plastic affect him? because my vet once told me not to leave water in a plastic bowl for my dog due to toxins. so im thinking this might apply for the turtle as well?

i do not have a balcony but i can leave him outside the house since its not a enclosed indoor compound. neighbours and noise is definitely not a problem but its not very clean and hygenic trapping more dirt and dust. there is wind strong too as i stay in a building. so overall, leaving him outside of the house is not a good idea.

hmm i would like to know also in what ways would direct sunlight harm a turtle? like perhaps it would cause the shell to dry out even more or something? because the window here is big and airy as well, so i thought i could leave him there for natural day and night cycles without worrying about the temperature and rays hes getting ..

[marisa]

As long as the turtle can get out of the sun into the shade when he wants to, I can't really think of how direct sunlight (this means not through a window or other barrier like plexiglass) would hurt him. Direct/natural sunlight is very good for them.

If you mean keeping him in front of a window, the problem here is overheating, especially in a glass tank (which heats up very quickly) and more especially given where you are. You will also have an algae problem (more cleaning for you). In front of a closed window, he'd be getting heat (likely too much) and not the benefit of the sun's rays. In front of an airy, open window, he'd be subject to breezes/drafts, which are likely cause him to catch a cold (respiratory infection) and result in the need for medical attention.

You're right---if the compound isn't enclosed, leaving him outside wouldn't be a good idea---unless you were to stay with him while he's out there, and go out on days that were breezy.

[shereenchn]

oh okay. i definitely do not want him to be harmed by my actions but what if hes in a plastic container heat up very fast too? as im using a cheap plastic container but im sure its big enough for him. would it be able to support the water, rocks, aquatic plants and UVB lighting?

so basically its just Heat and UVB for him yep.

heat & UVA from a normal bulb and UVB from another lighting that provides UVB

[marisa]

The UVB light is also providing UVA rays. The normal bulb is mainly providing heat.

I don't know how good a container you're using (some are stronger relative to others). A cheap plastic container, though, is not likely to be able to support that much water without bowing out (unless the sides are supported). To keep it from bowing out you may choose to use less water. The less water that is in the a container (tank or otherwise), the faster and more it will heat up. I don't remember how many rocks you plan to put in it, but I wouldn't use many and I wouldn't pile up rocks for a basking area (which he also needs) because of the added weight.

For UVB lighting, are you planning to use a tube flourescent (would lay across the tank) or a compact flourescent (usually clamps to the side of the tank)?

[shereenchn]

i do intend to upgrade his tank to a stronger plastic container more likely to hold a good amount of water and thn use a clamp type UVB lighting .

right now i do place him somewhere near the window but in the shade to warm up and he seems to be more active in the day and sleeps "soundly" in the night

[shereenchn]

and what if the UVB lighting states [5.0 UVB Full Spectrum Fluorescent Tube with aquarium light hood. 15 watts]

Is it just not advisible to buy full spectrum lighting or even one that states UBV full spectrum?

[steve]

Look for it to specifically mention UVB. If it only says "Full Spectrum", then you cannot be certain.

[SpotsMama]

Most of the time if the label says "full spectrum" it means the bulb is providing some UV - but it's only UVA, where as the turtles also need UVB. It's tempting to get a "full spectrum" bulb because it's cheaper - but resist! It won't provide what your turtle needs.