Urgent Care :: turtle lamp question asap?!

[questionnone]

hey guys, this really isn't a health related post but it is pretty urgent considering the fact that I need a uvb/uva bulb for my turtle but do not want to be misguided in choosing the best one for my turtle. I asked a clerk yesterday if i need both uva and uvb and when I was holding just a uva bulb in my hand he said confidently your turtle will be fine with that (while i was thinking to myself wow he probably doesn't even know). right now I have my basking area set up about a few inches short from 12'inches from the lamp and I have been reading about how important uvb/uva is so important but everyone seems to not even talk about if its dangerous to set up these bulbs close to the basking area or how far away it should be set up. I was also wondering if the repti-glo 5.0 can emit both uvb/uva since I read on the website it does emit uva but why would they call it a uvb bulb? Hmm (It claims to stimulate appetite, activity and reproductive behaviour through UVA". I would like to get the bulb tonight so my turtle doesn't go much longer without uv rays, please get back to me asap thanks!

[questionnone]

I also would like to add that the reason why I am looking into buying repti-glo 5.0 is because it will fit my tank set up best UNLESS you guys know of another bulb that will fit well into a fluker's clamp lamp. Repti-glo 5.0 seems most convenient right now because my lamp is fairly close to my basking area. I have looked into the mercury bulbs but can't have a setup where it is 12 inches away from the basking area

[TurtleKeeper48]

I use the Zoo Med Repti Sun 5.0 - 26 watt compact fluorescent. I think they're about the same thing. Either one should screw into a standard clamp light.

I'm not sure of the correct distance from basking area to UV light - but I think less than 12" is fine. We have two turtle tanks at home and probably have UVs about 8" - 11" away.

I like to (with both lights off) set up my UV light, get it pointed at the basking area then turn it on so that I can see the basking area color change as the UV light hits it to make sure the entire area is getting UV.

Then, I turn on the heat lamp and point it at the basking area in a similar way (focused evenly on the basking area - not the water)

Then I place a thermometer on the basking area and get the temp, then I adjust the heat light only closer or farther away until I reach my target temp of 88 deg at basking dock level.

I hope that helps somehow.

Good luck, and, enjoy your turtle!

[questionnone]

thanks so much for the reply!! it definitely helps a lot. Now I need to find out if this bulb really does put out uvb AND uva. I would rather not have to end up buying three lamps because I got the wrong bulb also, does anyone know how the repti-glo fits in a regular fluker's clamp lamp? I heard it sticks out so deep dome is recommended but i mean since I already have the standard clamp lamp, if it doesn't stick out too far then I can deal with it, I heard its pretty bad to the point where its bright for your eyes when sticking out so I just wanted to make sure.

[TurtleKeeper48]

Yes - either one provides UVB. Follow this link for more info in the exo tera repti glo:
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/co ... _bulbs.php
You'll see it says UVB - and, to answer the earlier question, it says effective "up to 12 inches" which means you want it less than 12 inches away.

And the link to the zoo med repti sun:
http://www.zoomed.com/cm/Home.html


You'll notice both are UVA/UVB lights.

Also, if you read the zoo med link - you'll notice that it wasn't untill 1993 that people learned to use UVB for turtles - so that's part of the reason you run into pet store workers who say turt's are fine with no UVB - 20 years ago, they were!

[questionnone]

O thanks! Ok I am going to go buy the repti-glo. Do you have a deep dome or just a regular clamp lamp? I would like to save money since I am a college student without taking away from the turtle so if a regular clamp fits a little weird but does no weird glare for my eyesight with it sticking out then I will buy that instead of the deep dome.

[TurtleKeeper48]

Regarding standard clamp light vs. deep dome -

Both bulbs are the same size. Both will stick out of a standard clamp light. Yes, it's bright. Yes, it's obnoxious.

I have standard flukers clamps with both of mine and I plan to invest in the deep reflectors. At first I thought I wanted clamp lights for more the flexibility of different angles - and because the vertical hanging deep dome requires a special stand sold separately.

Well, I just moved both set ups to a new room and discovered, not only is the bulb hanging out past the dome allowing me to see bright UV light, but the angle lets you get a lot of UV light reflected off the walls and into the room.

With two set ups going, and the room lights off, the whole room glows purplish UV light. It's not good for your eyes.

Not only would the deep dome help, but the vertical mounting will help keep the UV light in the turtle enclosure only and not over flowing into the room.

I just decided the vertical hanging deep dome UV fixture IS worth it - even if you need to buy the special stand which is sold separately.

[questionnone]

Right now my heating infrared light glows the WHOLE living room and it's not even sticking out or angled too far up almost perfectly pointing straight down. Is it bad if the whole room gets lit up by a uvb lamp the same way? too much uv rays are dangerous aren't they. I am still going to buy a deep dome but im wondering since even my infrared isnt sticking out and it still lights up the room.

it's too bad both brands that make deep dome lamps don't come with clamps! it is the only convenient way to get a light on my setup, i'm even considering getting another flukers 5.5 and just adding foil to the end of the lamp. I was looking at desk lamps at home depot and there's this flexible clamp lamp that seems to be perfect but I am not sure if UVB bulbs are good to put into that lamp? The max wattage on the lamp I saw is 60w while the reptiglo is only a 26w bulb. I am just scared uv rays can bounce off the material of the home depot lamp as opposed to being canceled out by the lamps sold at pet stores.

[bradmeisel]

26w - 5.0 -- 8-14 inches away -- need a uva also -- this is not really an urgent care post we should be re-posted in equipment

[questionnone]

26w - 5.0 -- 8-14 inches away -- need a uva also -- this is not really an urgent care post we should be re-posted in equipment

Thanks for the reply. But this really was a urgent matter, you wouldn't want your turtle to go without uvb for too long right ? considering how inactive the other forums were.

[bradmeisel]

if it helps a little turtle ... it's worth it

[bradmeisel]

Here's a few pics



video to come

[questionnone]

nice setup! I just read somewhere that mercury vapor is safer than compact flourescents? anyone have problems with repti-glo as far as your turtle's health? I read about the reptisun issue with swollen eyes but the same person who said compact flourescents aren't as good as mercury vapors recommended mercury vapor or reptisun's tube light.

[bradmeisel]

mercury vapor is three to four times more expensive but is both the UVA and UVB. I have not used one but have heard positive feedback. I would be concerned that if I had a problem with just one bulb it would set me back 50$ or more.

The repti-glo 26w - 5.0 is the one to go with. Most likely, eye problems are caused by dirty water or over chlorinated water which is why it is important to keep the water pristine and use water conditioner.

[questionnone]

just to confirm with you guys again, it's not dangerous to have these lights shining in the room right? right now the light kind of reflects off the top plastic of the tank and it also reflects off the head lamp since it's right next to it. It has also made the room alot brighter. The bulbs are only effective within 8 inches right (uv wise)? so as long as you're not looking directly into a bulb you should be ok?