I have purchased a couple of the expensive warming lights for my red eared slider, and they burn out within a week. I have just been using regular light bulbs to warm him.
Does anyone have tips for better lights. I am using the special reflective fixture you buy for the lights, but they just keep going out. Regular bulbs last fairly well, so I don't think the fixture is the problem.
2007-03-02 01:19:22 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
most importantly is a UVA/UVB bulb. Now those are a bit pricey. The RES (red eared sliders) need sunlight, the vitamins... so I recomend u get that if you dont already. As for the heating bulb, I got mine from local pet shop. Not too much, i think $7. Different sizes, watts for different price, i have a bigger pond. Mine is on 24/7 because my pond for winter months is in my garage. Its been months & not burned out. Just go to your local pet shop. Theyll have them w/ all the info in what your RES's need. MAke sure it doesnt get too hot though to burn the turtles, put your hand under neath it or on the rock or whatever its near. here is a good site i starte on & they have a message board www.turtlesale.com its nice, people very knowledgeable, love turtles, youll learn alot. they do sell stuff at that site, buy i just purchase at local shops. theyll even tell you how to find cheaper things at big home stores etc. so good luck. keep theose turtles warm though--they LOVE their heat!
2007-03-02 02:03:46 · answer #1 · answered by The McK's 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about all the expensive stuff for the turtles. I had 2 red ear sliders and just used a regular lamp and light bulb to warm them and they were just fine. I once tried to use a contraption that heated from under the tank and I think it was so hot that the turtles wouldn't get off their rocks into the water, lol. The most important thing is keeping their water clean and keeping them well fed.
2007-03-02 09:24:01 · answer #2 · answered by Lil Gal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to heat the water for a turtle is to use a fish tank water heater with a simple guard to keep the turtles away from it. Set it to keep the water between 75-80F.
Heating the basking site is easier- any heat lamp or high-wattage bulb from the hardware store will work nicely. Make sure to use a high-heat or ceramic socket, however.
Offering UVB lighting to turtles is important, but only expensive Mercury Vapor lights do both heat and UVB. Cheaper fluorecent or compact fluorescent bulbs work better for most of us.
For more good lighting and other tips, try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com
2007-03-02 12:27:00 · answer #3 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can just get the typical UV lights, then get a cheap warmer to put in the warmer to keep the temp. right. as long as they are inside and it is room temp., say 70 at the least, they will be ok. also, you can get a headed rock and have that as their basking area too.
2007-03-03 08:20:29 · answer #4 · answered by Matt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋