what would happen if sunlight is not allowed to enter the turtle aquarium???

Answer 1

Sunlight should NOT be allowed to enter the aquarium as a primary means of UV or BASKING HEAT!

First, reptiles need UVB, but UV radiation is attenuated and reflected by glass, plastic, fine wire mesh, etc. Therefore, most of the UV from the sunlight will be blocked or absorbed by the glass.

Second, glass and plastic tanks retain too much heat. Placing an aquarium in direct sunlight during the warm months can kill the turtle from heat stroke. You will cook it alive!

You need either a quality UVB lamp such as a mercury vapor ( T-Rex or Mage Ray ), or you need to use several fluorescent lamps to get the same results. If you can't do that, then the turtle should be allowed 20 minutes a day of semi direct sunlight exposure. Do not leave unattended or in an enclosed container in the sun. Most turtles do not stay long in hot direct sunlight. They bask in the morning and evening.

To "thebillthatknows" ...you need to improve your husbandry practices, because you don't know enough. How do you know the turtle is happy going on 2 years without sun, and the same lights!? Is it even a UVB light, because you said "regular"?? Fluorescent UVB lights should be replaced every SIX MONTHS. Just because they still make light does not mean they're still making UVB.

Answer 2

Turtle tank lights should accomplish 3 things:
- warm the basking site to about 90F
- illuminate the cage for both the turtle's and the viewer's needs
- offer UVB lighting to help the turtle use calcium in the diet right.

Sunlight is a great choice to do all three things- if the turtle is outside. Indoors, sunlight causes problems by overheatnig the water, encouraging algae, and not offering any UVB (since it does not penetrate most glass or plastic.)

Most pond turtles (but not so much box turtles and others) love light and need it to be happy and healthy. Bad light can mess up the eyes adn cause stress.

Answer 3

Aquatic turtles require Ultra violet (UV) light to manufacture vitamin D which helps them to absorb calcium (a major shell component). If you do not allow sunlight then you must supply the UV with an artificial lighting source.

Answer 4

Hi,
You should provide some artificial sunlight. Sunlight provides some of the needed vitamins that turtles need. Dr. Robb at
www.protectthepets.com is a great reptile veterinarian. email him and he will answer your questions!
Best of luck

Answer 5

it would get a soft shell nad die if you didn't let it out of the water. if you absouloutly cant let sunlight in thetank i would suggest a turtlelight over the basking area or take it out for an hour today

Answer 6

Besides what everyone else said, your turtle also NEEDS uvb.

Answer 7

my turtle does just fine he gets no sun but i leave the light on, its just a regular florescent hes been like that for over 2 years now and seems happy