Habitat - Indoor :: Question on 10.0 UVB being close to basking area

[cYn]

Hey guys, I have a 10.0 flourescent light and it will be positioned about 6 inches away from the basking area. I read that most people here uses 5.0 instead of 10.0 because 10.0 is mainly for non aquatic reptiles. I just thought that the 10.0 will be beneficial to my turtles because it's giving out more UVB. If I use the 10.0 at six inches, will there be any harm?

[BullDog]

6" is really close, even for a 5.0. With a 10.0, you'd want it at least 10" away. There were problems a couple of years ago with many reptiles getting swollen eyes. Problems can still arise from having the the bulb too close, including irritated eyes.

[marisa]

Even for a tube flourescent that's a bit close. And, if you're using an aluminum reflector, it will roughly double the UVB output.

[Maltliquor45]

sometimes too much of a "good thing" is bad - too strong uvb can be quite damaging to your turtle.

[LorJ]

I used a Reptisun 10 tube for my turts and kept it about 8" away from the basking spot with no ill affects.

[ProckNet]

sometimes too much of a "good thing" is bad - too strong uvb can be quite damaging to your turtle.

so too much UVB is bad... so Lizzy is less than 4 inches...how strong of a bulb should I get?

She shouldnt have been sold but my parents didnt know this...

I dont want to do anything that would harm her! I used to have a 26watt UVB but when I put it on the tank and turned it on it lit up the whole room! I have been looking for information about size of the RES and bulb wattage.

thank you in advace.

[BullDog]

sometimes too much of a "good thing" is bad - too strong uvb can be quite damaging to your turtle.

so too much UVB is bad... so Lizzy is less than 4 inches...how strong of a bulb should I get?

She shouldnt have been sold but my parents didnt know this...

I dont want to do anything that would harm her! I used to have a 26watt UVB but when I put it on the tank and turned it on it lit up the whole room! I have been looking for information about size of the RES and bulb wattage.

thank you in advace.

For any age of turtle a 5.0 (5%) 26W UVB bulb is safe, as long as it is at absolute minimum 6" away from the basking area (8" or further is better).