Equipment Review and Discussion :: Things I Like (various equipment)

[reptilegrrl]

1) Zoo Med Turtle Dock: Al loves this thing. He basks a lot more since he got it than he did when he had to climb onto gravel. I guess it's just more comfortable? Maybe more fun? The downside is that he bites bits off of it sometimes.

2) Hydor Ekip 350 Thermofilter: combination filter and heater. The heater is inside the mechanism so the turtle cannot touch it and get burned. This device is also very flexible- you can combine it with other things to make a larger, more comprehensive system. This can be had for about $50. I suggest replacing the sponge filter media with something more fine, like a fine quilt batting or poly filter pad.

3) Sterilite storage tubs. Long-lasting, easy to clean and haul around. AL has lived in the same one since 2002.

4) Mercury vapor lamps. I think these are much better than the old flourescents. I saw a lot more activity and appetite from my turtles when I switched to these. Huge difference! Be sure to use them as recommended; they have a lot of UV. And try not to look directly at the bulb when lit. I don't have a favorite brand; I have tried both the ZooMed and T-Rex brands and neither one lasted a full year. ZooMed's customer service was so bad, though, that I won't ever buy theirs again.

5) Zoo Med Reptisafe: neutralizes chlorine and chloramine, neutralizes ammonia, has electrolytes to help give beneficial bacteria a good start.

6) Hagen Turtle-Clean: bacteria that start your tank off right and help keep it clean in the long run. Even if you do a full water change every two weeks, this will keep your tank cleaner in the interim. Note: this is the EXACT same product as Hagen Exo-Terra Biotize (I got that straight from the Hagen customer service department.) It's just less expensive and better measured for large tubs in the Turtle Clean. So buy the Turtle Clean, save money.

7) Coroplast: although not really for RESs, this is a good material for making pens for box turtles and other animal accessories, so I include it here.

Basking spot lamps: good to have one in addition to yur Merc vapor lamp, if you are using the UV lamp correctly. My RES loved his (now he has a bigger one, which we call "The Sun." It comes on and off all by itself! I don't even set a timer!)

9) Greenhouse plastic. Keeping my guys warm this winter. Cheap and effective.


- Priscilla

[ellman605]

thanks, it might help me in the future, i need to save some money, and i need a UVB light, any suggestions?

[steve]

Hmmm, this should be a fun topic. I like my turts to get sun during the late spring/summer/early fall and I put in a new UVB light for every fall. I like ceramic heat lamps as well, so I'm avoiding the MVB because my girl is a HUGE splasher. I like the Visitherm stealth and Ebo Jager water heaters and the Aquaclear and XP3 for filters. River rocks are nice too and everything else is custom made. Oh and I like to use Reptomin and red leaf lettuce as the primary diet.

[reptilegrrl]

I like to feed a very varied diet, to get Al maximum nutrition and interest. I feed my RES three types of prepared food, as well as fresh produce like dandelion greens, green beans, sliced summer squash (Al only likes it if it's peeled, though, can you imagine?) dark-colored lettuces, nasturtiums, sweet potato thinly sliced, carrots grated or thinly sliced, clover, water hyacinth, nightcrawlers, grasshoppers, feeder fish. My focus is on variety and nutrition.

I like ceramic heat lamps too, but they really aren't necessary for an RES where I live. When AL was inside, he had a high-temp basking area in the daytime,and at night the house was between 70-80', and his water was always 76'. I do use them for my snake and for indoor box turtle or lizard habs.

[reptilegrrl]

thanks, it might help me in the future, i need to save some money, and i need a UVB light, any suggestions?

As I mentioned, a Mercury Vapor Lamp is your best bet, in my opinion. I recommend AGAINST the ZooMed brand, but there's no particular brand that I recommend that you buy.

[sonyj]

thanks, it might help me in the future, i need to save some money, and i need a UVB light, any suggestions?

As I mentioned, a Mercury Vapor Lamp is your best bet, in my opinion. I recommend AGAINST the ZooMed brand, but there's no particular brand that I recommend that you buy.

Mercury vapor lamps are good but just remember they heat up a lot and aren't recommended for smaller tanks or those under 50 gallons.

[reptilegrrl]

Once a RES gets to be a few years old, it needs to be in a larger habitat anyway, and probably not in a glass tank. A sterilite tub or something similar is more practical.

Also, the Merc vapor lamps come in several wattages and two styles- the broad sweep and the spot. The braod sweep is better for general heating- you can position it a few feet above the habitat and avoid overheating. But, I think this requires experience.

[ellman605]

i need something for a 50 gallon that isnt going to cost me an arm in the leg for a 13 year old!

[reptilegrrl]

UV lamps are expensive, period. If you can't afford one, then you can't afford an RES. I don't mean to be harsh, but it's just the truth. Reptiles are not cheap pets when it comes to caring for them throughout their lives. That turtle that cost you $1 at the store will end up costing you hundreds over its life span- which should be about 25-28 years. Be prepared for expenses beforeyou get a herp.

In terms of efficacy and lifespan, the Merc vapor lamps are the best. They provide more UV longer than the flourescents do.

[ellman605]

i know....i guess i should probably have looked up, but it would help if my sister would pay some for her turtle, i think i'm goign to start calling them both mine, cause she hasnt payed one penny of anything, and i now have to go pay more for a uvb.