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Hello all, I am new to the forum.

I just had some questions about the new habitat we just set up for our Red eared slider Donatello. We need to get him another lamp for when we set up his new basking area (we just have a zoo med platform right now with one of those reptile uva bulbs right now) We are about to build him a basking area above the tank with wood walls and probably a cork bark ramp. My question is, what kind of uvb bulb and fixture should we get? Would another clamp lamp work with the bulb?

Also, we got him a Rena Filstar xp2 filter (it is a 40 gallon tank) but we just have the tank sitting on the floor on a board right now until we can get an aquarium cabinet. It seems to be working okay, except for some air bubbles. Do we have to have the filter underneath the tank, it is just sitting beside it right now on the same level. Just wondering because the book mentioned something brief about that and also most people have theirs underneath in a cabinet.

Also, I don't want to put too much inside his tank because of cleaning issues, but what else would be beneficial besides a few of those large river rocks for him to push around? I want to make sure he is entertained.

If anyone could help us out with some answers to these questions, I would really appreciate it.

I have learned so much from reading everyone's posts. Thank you!

Okay, a popular UVB bulb is a Exo Terra Repti Glo 5.0% 26 watt. It has to be 26watt otherwise it will be too weak. You also need a heat lamp. Which can just be a 60-100watt incandescent household bulb. You want the basking area to be 90-95F. Clamp lamps will work for both of those bulbs.

As for the filter, Canisters are greatly improved when they have gravity working in their favor. The farther down the filter is, the better the gravity assists. You can even boost the GPH if you have the filter 2-4' below the tank. But for right now, it will do just fine until you can get a stand.

Um, a good decorative thing is some fake plants. They really liven up a tank and turts like to rest in them and swim through them. Also a Bubble feature will add something fun for him to play with. many turts like to divebomb bubbles and swim through them. Mine on the other hand, doesn't give a crap about the bubbles.