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I have 4 RES about 1yr old. I do not have a UVB light source in their tank but instead I provide them natural sunlight about 3 days a week. I want to know if this is right. Also I want to know for how long these RES have to be provided sunlight.

your going to need to give them a proper basking area in the tank with UVB. especially since winter is coming up. do you have them all in one tank?

As UVB helps them use their calcium, turtles will always need a UVB source. It doesn't have to be everyday, but it needs to be frequent.

How do you give them sunlight? Do you put them in front of a window or take them outside? When you take them out, they should be out there for at least 10-20 minutes to absorb enough UVB for the day. But, depending on where you are, you probably won't be able to keep taking them out due to the weather cooling down. UVB bulbs aren't that expensive, only like 15-20 dollars if I remember correctly.

I live in India. I have a garden with plenty of sunlight. I take my turtle in the garden for 15-20 min. I heard that the UV rays are harmful for human eyes and skin. This is the reason why I am using a UVB bulb. But I think 20min of natural sunlight is enough for the day. Isnt it?

Kindly Suggest.....

Direct, intense UV rays to your eyes/skin can be harmful. But a UVB bulb or going outside isn't going to harm you.

20 mins of natural sunlight should be plenty for a day.

Just make sure and keep an eye on your turtle the whole time he's outside. They are amazing escape artists.

do they have a basking area in the tank?

yep, they have a good basking area in the tank n they love to sit on it....

here is d video of my tank

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=4XoD1pVYeFw

The shot moved away as he approached the basking area and when it panned back he was still clinging to the edge. Can he get on the basking area easily? If not, it would be good to extend the ramp into the water more. Also, what's the white material on it? Does it give good traction?

Taking your RES out into the sunshine several times a week for 20 - 30 minutes is fine.

Thanks Marisa............yep, they can easily climb the basking area........i mostly find all four of them there........and also the white material is a cloth kind of stuff which provides a good traction......