i have 2 baby turtles and i just bought a UVA heating light-
people always say that turtles need UVB lights to help there shell/bones-is a UVA light the same and will it do the job or will i have to buy a UVB light aswell
thanks
2007-02-23 18:07:15 · 6 answers · asked by dom-da-bom 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
oh yeah-my light was 1 of those cheap $15 dollar 1s
2007-02-23 18:15:27 · update #1
Keeping turtles indoors can be costly if kept correctly. You're gonna have to fork out some dough for a proper UVB bulb. http://lllreptile.com/ offers the proper fluorescents cheaper than anywhere else. If your turtles dont have the proper UVB, then yes, as others have told you, their shells wont develop properly and they will just be unhealthy overall. A vitamin supplement (usually a mineral dust for the insects offered or placed on the fresh greens, depends on the type of turtle) can be a source for D3 which is important as well.
2007-02-24 11:11:37 · answer #1 · answered by johndoe12 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
UVA and UVB are Not the same thing. You need a light that specifically says that it is a reptile light, and even then make sure it says UVA and UVB on it. You can get a UVA bulb without UVB, but the only UVB bulb that doesn't give off UVA is a black light I(which isn't really recommended for lizards as they can stare at it and damage their retinas)...
2007-02-23 18:29:18 · answer #2 · answered by Theresa A 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, they are not the same. If a UV lamp does not say "uvb", then it has no uvb. You need to spring at least $40 for a good mercury vapor spot/flood or a couple of flourescent tubes that put out 50 microwatts per cm2, minimum. There is much to know about reptiles and why these things are important. You need to visit www.anapsid.org and read through the reptile health information there on UV lighting and reptiles in general, and on chelonians ( turtles and tortoises ), then look up Tess Cook, Austin's turtle page, chelonia.org, and get on a forum for your appropriate turtle species, like kingsnake.com forums.
btw, a blacklight puts out no useable UV of anykind, as it is coated to specifically prevent that...and a reptile ( or a person ) can hurt their eye's by looking directly into ANY of the other purpose made reptile UV lights because they do put out useable amounts. It is UV radiation in fact, and transmitted levels, exposure time, and distance are important, the same as with any form of radiation a person or animal is exposed to. Fireside3
2007-02-23 22:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by Fireside3/Phrynosoma-Texas 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a small turtle and I have a UVA 100w but it doesn t say UVB. So I put a 13W UVB bulb as well . Is that too much?? it makes his basking spot about 95 degrees F and they are about 14 inches away from him
2015-03-24 04:08:17 · answer #4 · answered by Diana 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the warmth lamp components UVA mild. So warmth and UVA are one mild bulb, which will desire one mild fixture. then you certainly will desire a 2d mild fixture for the UVB mild bulb. So 2 mild bulbs.
2016-10-16 09:13:27 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know where you live but i live in miami florida !!! i get one light that is incandesent .. and it provides both UVA and UVB from one bulb it was $8.99 here !!! look in to that type of light they are better !!! and cheaper man !!
2007-02-24 07:39:56 · answer #6 · answered by CRISTIE C 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋