Equipment Review and Discussion :: I feel dumb...a lighting question

[JNZBCBnLIL]

Okay so I feel really dumb because no matter how many times I've read the section about lighting I can't seem to understand what I'm sposed to do- right now I have a basking light and that's it- is that the UVA or UVB bulb? I want to make sure I'm doing everything right and I know i don't have one of the 2 at the moment.... not sure which one though! I'm going to the petstore tonight to get some necessities and I want to make sure I get everything this time (I've taken about 3 trips now and still can't seem to get it right) which light do I leave on all the time and which do I do a 12 hour on, 12 hour off deal with? I think that's what I read.... as you can see... I'm confused!! Will someone explain to me exactly what I need to do lighting wise! I feel so dumb asking this when it's mapped out for me on the site...

[jenaero]

A regular household bulb is fine for heat/uva. The uvb bulb provides rays but no heat.

The popular brand for uvb is Reptisun. You'll want a 5.0 or higher (that's 5% uvb output)

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777918&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030094&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1159317362007

Personally, I prefer the uva/uvb combo bulbs. Either TRex or Powersun. They aren't suitable for tanks less than 50gal tho because they're so strong.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441781138&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030051&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1160158909762&itemNo=5&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=1160158909766&itemNo=7&In=Reptile&N=2030051&Ne=2

Both lights should be on only 12 hours a day. Try to mimic the natural cycle. Mine go on when the sun comes up, go off when it goes down.

You don't need to feel dumb! There's a lot of info to absorb. Once you get everything setup, it'll be a cake walk

[SpotsMama]

You're not dumb! Not at all! There's just a lot to learn. With dogs and cats it's almost instinctive. They're mammels like us. But a RES is not only a reptile - which needs special light and special temperature and special food - but it's also semi-aquatic - which means you have to create both a wet and a dry environment!

But.....like Jenaero said, once you get set up right then it's a breeze. Then you get peace of mind and can just enjoy your little olive pit as he/she goes about his/her daily activities.

[Shavannah]

jen and Spots are right, you're not dumb at all, and it's very confusing. I had my turtle for 3 years when I found this forum. I found out things I should have been doing, things I was doing right, and things I needed to fix immediately. It is so much easier to take care of my turtle now that I have everything set up correctly, and now I do just sit back and enjoy him. I even enjoy the water changes now, crazy I know, lol. Keep asking questions, everyone is here to help!

[CountryGirl68]

Don't feel dumb for asking questions that can make a difference in your turtle's life long health. My mom always used to tell us that you are dumb if you don't ask questions because asking questions gets you answers and having answers makes you smarter.

Although I love my Tanner and am glad I came here and asked dozens of questions so I could get his set up just right, and even took him to the vet just to be sure, I STILL don't like doing water changes.