Habitat - Indoor :: Repti Glo - need alternative - no 5.0 26w in my country

[Kame]

Hello, everyone, good afternoon.

First of all, I hate asking a question that might have been answered many times already but I am finding it hard to come to terms and to a decision.

The thing is, after MUCH research, I've decided that my brazilian red ear slider needed a Repti Glo 5.0 26w compact, after all, that's the one most of you use and it seems to work just fine.

It just so happens, though, that I cannot find this compact lamp ANYWHERE. I've contacted many online stores and none seems to carry the lamp anymore. I live in Brazil and apparently the Exo-terra distributor has mentioned that they won't be sold here anymore.

Alright, so here's the dilemma: my baby hasn't seen any sunlight for... well, some time now. I've moved into a dark apartment and I can't postpone the decision to buy another lamp any more. I could import it but it might take up to two months to arrive in Brazil.

Given that scenario, how would you suggest I act:

- Should I buy the Repti Glo 5.0 15w? Is that enough?
- Should I go for the 30w?
- Should I consider Repti Glo 2.0 or 10.0?

Those are the ones I could buy in the city where I live, easily. Oh, these are the long one. The 30w one is almost one meter long (3.2 feet).

Alternatively, I can try to get the Repti Glo 5.0 20w online as well, but god only knows when it would arrive.

I'm sorry for such a complicated cry for help. I've run out of places to look for ideas.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I can also get the long 8.0 lamp. How stupid a choice would that be? Aaagh, I need help.

EDIT2: I have just found out I can get my little paws on a perfectly good ZooMed Repti Sun 5.0 Power Compact 26W. Price shall never, EVER be discussed, it's obscene, but hey, whatever it takes, right? What do you guys think of it?

[steve]

Hi Kame,

I would look for any UVB lamp from a reputable company, it doesn't have to be a Repti Glo. You can check avian and exotics stores for that type of bulb. A 5.0 / 30 watt should be fine. There are no ways for your turtle to receive some of that natural UV? How old is your turtle? Maybe a short outing?

The 8.0 might need to be kept further away, there should be instructions listing the distance. If it's designed for "desert" animals, keep it a few extra inches away.

You should also use a pellet that has vitamin d3 as an ingridient (or pick up a supplement and coat the regular pellets).

[Kame]

Hi Steve. Thank you for taking the time to help me.

I've made a decision to buy one of the UVB 5.0 lamps and I think I'll get to but the Repto Sun one. I have found some of the last ones sold in Brazil, it seems.

Meanwhile I am taking my turtle outside, bringing her to the top of the building to catch some sun. My new rental apartment is really dark so no natural light in there.

Again, thank you.