Habitat - Indoor :: New tank basking lights

[Starscream]

Ingrate turtles.

[Starscream]

As I said, I am thinking about a 48 inch dual bulb set up, then I just have to get heat.

One bulb would be a reptisun 10

[ljapa]

I built an ATBA for my turtles with egg crate, ceramic and porcelain tile and the ungrateful bastards almost quit basking so after two weeks of them being jerks, I just tossed it out put their lame zoomed dock back in and within 10 minutes they were basking and swimming around it.... lol

I had a similar experience. I put the zoomed dock up on the ATBA. That worked for me.

[Starscream]

I built an ATBA for my turtles with egg crate, ceramic and porcelain tile and the ungrateful bastards almost quit basking so after two weeks of them being jerks, I just tossed it out put their lame zoomed dock back in and within 10 minutes they were basking and swimming around it.... lol

I had a similar experience. I put the zoomed dock up on the ATBA. That worked for me.

That worked for me too.

[Starscream]

What I am thinking is that it will be difficult to provide a consistant temp over that large of an area?

[talal]

Yea I was thinking of doing that too with my zoomed dock but i was like to hell with it and i just switched it. Once they get bigger im gonna put the ATBA back in.

Starscream you dont need a constant temp over the whole area make sure the thermometer under the light reads 90 and you're good. your turtles will move around to choose a spot with their desired temp to bask on.

[Starscream]

Oh, gotcha. Thanks

[Kansasslider]

It can take some time for turtles to get used to a new basking platform. You can entice them food left on the new dock. I just built a new one and they didn't use it for a few days now they do. Also, my res doesn't hardly bask at all. Never has but my map loves basking.As far as the lights go you could buy one 160 watt mega ray bulb.



viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35269

[Kansasslider]

If you really have some time to kill read this very detailed review of mega ray bulbs. And if your wondering no I don't own one yet but I will.

http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/html/mega- ... report.htm

[Starscream]

Thanks Kansas, I looked into these bulbs based on reading a post by you on them (if I remember it was about how they did not emit as much heat as expected). I just read that review, my god, I would be lying if I said that I understood most of it. It looks like a very good bulb. I am considering it. How would that set up work? I would have the basking area with that mega ray 160, then maybe some standard buld for heat production if needed, I would then have leds over the water to provide water light, there would be no above water areas where uv wasn't provided.

[Kansasslider]

The bulbs put out plenty of heat and that determines the distance you would keep the bulb from the basking area. The only reason I don't own one yet is the price of $70 with shipping. Just built a new tank and kinda strapped for cash. But I will buy one because I believe they are the best on the market.

[Starscream]

Fair enough, that is what I will go with as well, if nothing else I will get 2. Should I get a uv ray tester?

[Kansasslider]

I guess you could here is the link
http://www.solarmeter.com/model62.html

[ljapa]

You may have read my post about the heat being lower than expected. I got the 160 watt. Realize that the minimum distance for that is 18" and max is 24". So, that has an influence on heat, particularly, if like me, it isn't fully enclosed.

The tank is in the basement, but I was getting the low heat readings when the nighttime temps were dropping into the low 50's / high 40's. once it got cold enough to close the house up, temps weren't an issue.

You can always go with the 100w, which allows you to keep it closer. I've been very pleased so far at the sustained UVB levels. I have a solarmeter 6.2. Eventually, I will get the 6.4 for uvi readings too.

[Starscream]

Thank you for the info, my setup will have the light 12 -15 inch away from the basking surface.