Equipment Review and Discussion :: lighting set-up

[momof8]

I haven't bought anything yet for my future turtle, just reading so far but I haven't found the answers I'm looking for yet. I'm wondering if there is a UVB &UVA combination or not that isn't so big as some I've seen in the photos on here. I want this set up in my living room so I want it to look nice. I'd like to avoid huge lamps clipped on. Are light set-ups available for turtle tanks that are less conspicuous? I don't really care about the price if it looks nice. If anyone has a photo link of a set-up like I'm talking about that would be appreciated, too. Thanks!

[missibsu]

There are combination bulbs, some work better than others. Some have to be used with a set up of 75 gallons or larger, because they heat the water too much.

Here is an example of one such bulb http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... 30051&Ne=2
and another http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... 30051&Ne=2

Another thing to keep in mind. If you choose the fluorescent UVB bulb, your heat bulb can be just a regular household bulb, which means you can put it in a nicer fixture if you want, it doesn't have to be a clamp light. Those are just more convenient.

[sonyj]

I do not use clamp lights. I have a three arm lamp stand that's adjustable. I like the way it looks over the clamp lights. Here's a pic of something similar to mine (the only difference is color - mine's black- and mine only has three arms not five).



There's a lot of options if you just use your imagination and search. Just remember that what is really important is that your turtle has an accurate basking temp and direct access to the UVB rays (glass, screen etc not blocking the UVB light from the basking area).

[momof8]

Sonyj, do you remember where you bought your 3-arm lamp? It looks like it would blend in nicely & seems safer than something electrical clamped so close to a water supply!

[sonyj]

I think I found mine at either Target or Wal-mart but it's been a little while and I can't remember exactly where. Especially since I had been looking all over town for weeks prior to purchasing it for something that could work for the tank. Start looking there if you can.

[Gracie8899]

Great Idea Sonyj - thanks we are getting ready to move into new house and I was looking for this kind of alternative -for saftey and looks. Great idea.

[TNTurtles]

that first product you showed missi, are you sure thats an all in one bulb? The esu reptile 20 watt super uv coil lamp. I have it and I didn't think it had heat, just uva and uvb. If so then thats cool. Since i have that one right over the dock should i take the other heat/uva one down? or do i still need a heat lamp.

I also have a ? about how you people can put your lamp right over the basking area and it not get too hot. For example those people who create the wooden boxs above their tank and the light is directly above, does it not get too hot? and if its too hot will they not come up to bask?

[steve]

You're right, the first one is mainly a UVB light. You can use a regular lightbulb or a ceramic one (they emit no light, only heat and there's no chance of it shattering).

Here's what they look like:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... 4441776686

Mine is far away so it's not too hot, I have to add some foil for it to direct more heat towards the basking area. If it's hot, they may bask for only a very brief moment.. if it's too hot then they will avoid it.

About $20-25 when I bought one.

[missibsu]

Sorry, I was researching at school, and I was trying to move right along. That's what I get for rushing, lol. Thanks for the correction!

[TNTurtles]

id rather you had been right, that way it would only require one bulb and it was pretty cheap if it had been 3 in 1 lol ....o well.....lol

[TNTurtles]

I was thinking of getting a 3 in 1 bulb like the 2nd link shown, the active heat. But, if i get that how do i have the uvb 6 inches away but it not get too hot? Is it better to just have the 2 bulbs?

[steve]

If its a mercury vapor bulb (MVB), then it needs to be MORE than 6 inches away. The 6 inch recommendation is for weak fluorescent UVB bulbs. I'm using 2 bulbs right now, but the MVB has stronger UVB output. My RES get natural UVB during the summer and they splash water all over the place, so I'm holding off on a MVB.

[TNTurtles]

has anyone ever used either one of these or what is your opinion of which one is a better brand.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441781138&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030051&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1148998900947&itemNo=3&In=Reptile&N=2030051&Ne=2


http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441780759&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030051&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1148998901100&itemNo=9&In=Reptile&N=2030051&Ne=2