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Today I realized...My heat lamp just uses bulbs that are UVA. This sucks, whast the hell is UVB then?

A different type of ultraviolet radiation (wavelength) it is the one that allows them to produce vitamin D which is used in the metabolism of calcium needed for their shells and bones. (they also need a calcium source) I use a Repti-Glo 5.0, they also come in a 10.0, depends on how close to the basking platform you are going to put it.

Many people don't know that vitamin D is produced in the skin naturally when exposed to UVB radiation, even in humans, so not enough exposure to the sun (or fake sun UVB light) or vitamin D supplements (which we get in vitamin D fortified milk) can cause bone problems due to an inability to metabolize calcium properly.

Ok, I guess I'll buy some next time. Is the lamp important, or is my current lamp just fine?

The UVB lamp is very important. If you can't get the UVB lamp right away, try to take your turtles outside for a few hours each day in the natural sunlight if you can (and if the weather is still nice where you live)

Peva wrote:Ok, I guess I'll buy some next time. Is the lamp important, or is my current lamp just fine?

By lamp, do you mean the literal lamp, or the bulb? The kind of lamp you use isn't important (as long as it's rated for the correct wattage), it's the bulb that matters. A UVB bulb should go in your current lamp fine, but you'll still need a bulb that's a heat source in another lamp.

Kurtni wrote:

Peva wrote:Ok, I guess I'll buy some next time. Is the lamp important, or is my current lamp just fine?

By lamp, do you mean the literal lamp, or the bulb? The kind of lamp you use isn't important (as long as it's rated for the correct wattage), it's the bulb that matters. A UVB bulb should go in your current lamp fine, but you'll still need a bulb that's a heat source in another lamp.

I think you mean lighting fixture and not lamp. It's the lamp that matters. The lamp is the light producing element. The fixture is what the lamp goes into. The twisty CFL's are lamps and not bulbs.

UVB will help Brixies' shell...Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Peva!

Thanks! I need to ask a question in a minute. I'll post a new topic.

Peva, if you can't get a UVB right away, don't worry too much, just try to get one as soon as you can. my turtle lived 16 years before i finally got her one, she's 18 now, and has never had health issues. her shell has gotten a lot better coloring since i added the UVB light, going from basically black to having patterns of actual coloring on it of light browns and dark yellows.

I got one for her by now, she has started to shed much faster, the scute rather.