Equipment Review and Discussion :: Lighting

[firstimeturtlelover]

Hey! So when I got my turtles (Michelangelo & Leonardo) I didn't know squat about turtles (yes I know that was dumb). I have been reading everything I can find on how to take care of them since I got them though, Mostly on this site. Everyone here is very helpful and whoever made this site is a godsend. Anyways I got some lights but now I'm not sure if they were the right kind. I got them at petsmart. They are 25w each. This is what it says on the box: Sun Glo Neodymium Daylight Lamp and I think it's made by EXO TERRA. I believe it lets out UVA rays but I don't think it has UVB rays. Also I was thinking about getting a bulb for night time its called night glo. I'm guessing it's the same thing as thing as the sun glo but for night time. Do I need it? I was also hoping you could tell me if there is anything that I am missing in my tank. I have a floaty rock, a turtle filter over the amount of gallonage in my tank, a piece of wood, and some rocks for the bottom which I'm thinking about switching to sand. Oh and of course a top and a lamp. If I can find my camera I'll try and get some pics.

[Chrisbarnett]

correct, that doesn't put out UVB. You'll need a Exo terra repti glo 26 watt 5.0%.

no you dont need the night bulb.

[firstimeturtlelover]

Where can I get one of those and is it really expensive?

[firstimeturtlelover]

Oh and does it come in the tube bulb cause that's the kind of lamp I have.

[PcBuilder14]

They have UVB bulbs at petsmart for $13 if you have a petperks card otherwise it's $15

[firstimeturtlelover]

What are they called?

[PcBuilder14]

Here's a link

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752556

[firstimeturtlelover]

I actually found 5.0% which I think might be better. Because its for tropical terrarium instead of a desert terrarium. Thank you very much. I hope I can take the ones I have back. Now that that problems solved do I need anything else in my tank. I listed everything I have above.

[Chrisbarnett]

No, the 10.0 is too strong in most cases, unless you have the lamp pretty far away. It will cause eye problems if you put it too close.

[PcBuilder14]

The only reason I got the 10.0 was because it was cheaper than the 5.0.....I have the 10.0 about 9 inches from the basking area and haven't had a problem.

[firstimeturtlelover]

Oh ok my lamp is one that sit right on the top of the tank.

[Chrisbarnett]

Do you still want a tube bulb? or are you just going to buy a fixture and use a compact?

If you want a tube, heres a tube version of the repti glo, look at the 5.0
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/li ... _bulbs.php
My local petsmart has the tubes, but they are not on their website...You should be able to easily find them online.

and heres the compact thats recommended. I actually ordered one of these a couple days ago.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752555

[PcBuilder14]

Then you'll want to get the 5.0

[firstimeturtlelover]

Crap I went to the exo tera website I think they sell those at my petsmart to but they're to long for my fixture I was hoping I wouldn't have to by a new one but oh well.

[Chrisbarnett]

I would just go with the clamp lamp style then. I just ordered from petsmart, the compact repti glo, and a flukers clamp lamp, with shipping it came to only $30. So it's not much more expensive than a tube bulb itself.

Also, I have a tube fixture and tube UVB light too. I had to make the same choice as you, find a tube bulb, or go with a more common setup. i went more common.