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I've read the lighting FAQ, but still have a question.

I'm in the process of setting up UVA and UVB lighting for my turtles & at the pet store I bought a lamp and stand. Upon setting up the stand, it didn't seem secure and I was worried about electrocuting my turtles.

How do I set up lights directly above my turtles, but minimize the risk of the lamps slipping and dropping in the water? What equipment do I need to buy and where can I get it?

Help me protect my little guys.

Thanks

The clamp type lamps have a spring loaded clamp that you attach to the side of the tank and then you can pivot the reflector to point the light at the basking platform. These lamps usually work very well for turtle tanks. The other option is to get a wire mesh lid for the tank with the widest spacing holes and then just rest the lamp on top of that. The wire mesh will cut down a little on the UVB so you should make sure that the basking platform is close enough to the light bulb (but not too close...follow the manufacturers directions with bulb placement).

Oh, thanks David. I'll try to get the clamp type lamps tonight when I go shopping for my turtles. (Lately, I shop for them more then I shop for me, lol)

Ha ha, I know the feeling. You've been bit by the turtle bug!

What kind of stand did you buy? If it's the Zoo-Med stand, the plate on the bottom fits under the tank and the weight of the tank and water hold the stand quite securely. If you buy a dome reflector that has a wire hook at the top, it will just hang off the hook at the end of the stand. I've used this stand, and have found it work really well (and unlike regular clamp lamps, it can be adjusted quite easily for the distance the light should be from the basking area).

And here is some info on something that everybody with a turtle tank should use.

They are called Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), they are mostly used in bathrooms, and kitchens.
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... 4389#44389

Nathan, I'm glad you brought this up. We need to keep reminding people of it. The combination of all that water and all that electrical equipment could be so dangerous.