Habitat - Indoor :: tank layout, need suggestions!

[Chibi_Sephiroth]

I finally got a pic of it can you guys give me some advice on what i should do
i have 2, 4 1/2 res. the layout is a 20gallon ._.;; i havent got the new tank just yet but im going to soon.

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[xsavingsaturdayx]

Do you have a UVB light? You need both a heat lamp, and a UVB light for turtles to grow a strong and healthy shell.

[Chibi_Sephiroth]

im not sure but i need to have 2 lamps? or like 2 bulbs a uvb and heat?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Yup, two lamps. One lamp for heat (you can use any normal light bulb from you're house) and the other, UVB. UVB is a special type of light bulb that can only be found in pet stores, without this you're turtle can get diseases like. Shell rot, which isnt very good at all. UVB helps with calcium as well. Its a must have.

[Chibi_Sephiroth]

okay i just checked its a uvb light bulb ill get another lamp soon. how long should i have the light on for too? like i always turn it on when i wake up and when i go to bed i turn it off. and would it be alright to get a black light for night?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

The black light is up to you, i dont use one and my turtles are doing okay. What kind of UVB light is it? You should turn the lamps on when you wake up (around morning) and turn it off at night (9 O'clock is good, maybe a bit earlier).

[Chibi_Sephiroth]

i got the box thingy right here its a Exo Terra Sun glo one i just read the back and it says uva not uvb.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Ah, well you need a UVB light, UVA is heat.

[Chibi_Sephiroth]

snap ive been using this one for a while ill get one tomorrow then

[SpotsMama]

Just an aside, as Davidy noted in another thread, any bulb that lights up and also emits UVB is also going to emit UVA since UVA is located on the spectrum between visible light and UVB. So if you've got UVB you've also got UVA covered. You don't have to worry about your heat bulb providing UVA.

[Chibi_Sephiroth]

Just an aside, as Davidy noted in another thread, any bulb that lights up and also emits UVB is also going to emit UVA since UVA is located on the spectrum between visible light and UVB. So if you've got UVB you've also got UVA covered. You don't have to worry about your heat bulb providing UVA.

that sounds all confusing but i get what ya saying. so tomorrow should i just go out and buy a UVB? cuz that'll also cover uva too?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

No, UVB bulbs dont give off much heat at all (mine doesnt, at all!) for heat, just use a normal house bulb. Both lights have to aiming at the basking dock.

Get one tommorow, or if you can order online. Id say go with that, UVB lights tend to be cheaper online than at stores.

[SpotsMama]

Chibi, the Exo Terra bulb you've got now provides heat and, as an extra added bonus, also provides UVA. It's a good bulb. Keep it but when it burns out, you can replace it with a plain, garden variety household light bulb (incandescent).

What you're lacking is a bulb that emits UVB. This will have to be a bulb that you get online from a pet supply place or you can get one at a pet store (but it will cost more). You can't get these special bulbs except from a pet supply place. It will be a flourescent type bulb, and it will be cool and will not emit heat. An example of a good UVB bulb is a reptisun 10.0 compact flourescent bulb. This is just an example, there are several other good ones out there. As an extra added bonus, it will also emit UVA!

Clear as mud?

[Chibi_Sephiroth]

mud never look so clear! lol so should i order it online?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Yes, you will save money and find the right bulb you are looking for.