Can you use a normal lightbulb for a red eared slider turtle's basking lamp?

Question

can i use a lightbulb instead of those bulbs at Petco?

Answer 1

A regular lamp wont provide the heat or UV rays they need. Essentially the red lamp is a specialized lamp for reptiles that is made to imitate the sun and the red color wont hurt their eyes the way a regular one shining down would do. You really need to spend the extra few bucks.....

Answer 2

Yes, you can. I use them for my reptiles. The important thing is to monitor the temperature correctly. Use a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe end. Tape it to the basking perch, and set it to "outdoor". Very accurate. Stick on and dial thermometers are very inaccurate, up to 20F off. Distance from the basking can regulate temperature, or you can plug it into a dimmer switch (about $10.00 at Lowes or Home Depot) and adjust it that way. You need a SEPARATE light for the UVB source. These are fluorescent fixtures that must be changed every 6 months, regardless of the light they put out--they lose UVB potency rather quickly.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm

Answer 3

No, a regular bulb will not provide any UV rays that turtles need or heat which turtles also need.
When you go buy your light try getting a 75-100 watt bulb.

Answer 4

well i use a regular light bulb and i have for the past year because every time i got one of those bulbs that were like 5 bucks at petco they always would burn out after about 5 days. one of them burned out about 10 minutes after i put it in. so i just use the regular ones.

Answer 5

I guess it will work but it will be better if you build him a cage outside so he gets even healthier than a regaler bulb or a turtle bulb

Answer 6

you can use a regular bulb for a heat source but you still need a uvb bulb