Habitat - Indoor :: Question About UV light distance.

[Boris]

Hello there.

I just altered my turtle's ligthing set-up a bit. I was wondering how far UV rays reach because my UVA/UVB lamp is 20 inches above the basking area. Is that close enough? I'm afraid if I move it closer, the habitat will get too hot. It's only a 10 gallon tank. And yes, I know that my turtle will outgrow the tank soon, so please don't bother lecturing me about that.
I appreciate any advice.

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[adam85491]

Ten inches is far enough for a 5.0 compact bulb-it is way too far right now. As for heat bulb, as long as it gets the area to 90F it is fine.

FYI-you should take those rocks out.

[Safdar]

That is way too far away
The fardest it should be is 12 inch

Since the UVB rays dont go past that distance

[Boris]

thanks for the quick response guys. I changed it and its about half that distance now.

Why should I take out the rocks?

[DavidY]

he he...cute turtle! If your UV bulb is one of the compact flourescent bulbs then you should put it closer, but it depends on the brand and type that you got. If it's a ZooMed Reptisun 10.0 then where it is is fine. If it's a ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 then you can move it closer like around 14 to 16 inches away, just watch your turtles eyes for any sign of irritation. If it's any other brand bulb you should move it to within 6 to 12 inches from the platform. Those bulbs will not heat up the tank BTW.

[adam85491]

Rocks dirty the tank faster so I only have a few half dollar sized ones in there and your turtle might eat a small one which won't be healthy.

[Safdar]

Hey i have the same thermometer!

[untsmurf]

Definitely need to move it closer. It should say on the package of the bulb how far away the rays will go. And UV lights don't make enough heat to affect the temp of the basking spot, you can put your hand underneath it and see.

And as for the rock thing, I've had rocks (not gravel mind you) in my cage since Mikey was a baby and it's never made mine any dirtier. It actually hides all their poop. But when they get bigger you might have to replace them with bigger rocks so as your turts don't ingest them.

Definitely need a bigger tank asap.

[Safdar]

Hey! i have the same lamp fixture too!
haha that glows in the dark right

[N4784N R4613]

And as for the rock thing, I've had rocks (not gravel mind you) in my cage since Mikey was a baby and it's never made mine any dirtier. It actually hides all their poop. But when they get bigger you might have to replace them with bigger rocks so as your turts don't ingest them.

That is the problem! With the bottom covered with rocks the filter can't suck up all the poo, and other debris! Would you want to go swimming in a pool that had rocks on the bottom, with your poop all stuck in between them!?!(vomits on keyboard) I THINK NOT!! With rocks covering the bottom, you have to clean the rocks out AT LEAST once a week!!! Or that poo, and debris will just sit there and rot, which reduces water quality substantially!

[SpotsMama]

I'm going to be repetitive here, but what DavidY said about the Reptisun bulbs is very important. If those particular bulbs are too close to the turtle you're going to see eyes swollen shut. Here's a link with specific instructions on the placement of these bulbs that should be followed to the letter.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... t=reptisun

If it's any other kind of bulb, then it can be a lot closer. So far we haven't heard of any other bulbs with the same potential as the Reptisun CFB's for eye problems.

[untsmurf]

And as for the rock thing, I've had rocks (not gravel mind you) in my cage since Mikey was a baby and it's never made mine any dirtier. It actually hides all their poop. But when they get bigger you might have to replace them with bigger rocks so as your turts don't ingest them.

That is the problem! With the bottom covered with rocks the filter can't suck up all the poo, and other debris! Would you want to go swimming in a pool that had rocks on the bottom, with your poop all stuck in between them!?!(vomits on keyboard) I THINK NOT!! With rocks covering the bottom, you have to clean the rocks out AT LEAST once a week!!! Or that poo, and debris will just sit there and rot, which reduces water quality substantially!

That's why I make sure and clean it, which I probably should've mentioned in my previous post. I don't want him to be swimming in all sorts of junk. It just saves me from spot cleaning everyday.

[adam85491]

Instead of shuffling through a covered bottom of larger riverrocks to get the gunk out~a more bare bottom takes a quick sweep of a siphon to clean. I've been through a covered tank bottom and it's definetly better with only 4-5 river rocks..

[N4784N R4613]

Hey, if there willing to put the extra work in, I think it looks better with a covered bottom.

[myrtletheturtle]

Yea i agree i cant stand a barebottom tank! Not that anything is wrong with it but im a very modern person and I like decorating and all that.I dont mind taking the extra time to clean it!! p.s im a girl lol