Baby Musk Turtle

[SisterMoonbeam]

Here is our new addition to the zoo, a common musk hatchling named Greg (unfortunately he belongs to the OH, i hold no responsibility for the naming process)

[martin day]

omg how tiny i want one

where did you get it from ?

[SisterMoonbeam]

Place called tall trees garden centre near burton joyce in notts, they have a big aquatics department with all different kinds of fish, newts, frogs and aquatic turtles, it's pretty cool.

[James_T]

They're great turtles. You need to open up the top abit more, I can see the condensation and they need dry heat. The bulb also looks really close, what sort of basking temps are you getting from it?

[SisterMoonbeam]

Hey, the bulb is only 30W and is on for 15 mins every two hours so water temperature averages about 75 and ambient air temperature around 80. Lid is usually half off, was only put on fuly for picture, any advice on reducing the condensation?

[Graham]

They're so cute when they are that tiny aren't they?

James is right about the lid though, you need to take it off completely for maximum ventilation and that will stop the condensation, high humidity can be seriously bad for them.

The light shouldn't go on and off, it needs to be on for 12-14 hours a day just like the sun, hatchling musks seem to bask quite a bit.

I can't see any sign of a UVB light, or a filter?

[SisterMoonbeam]

Filter's there at the back on its side so its fully submerged in the water. Have UVB bulb on order, didn't come in time for greg's arrival, neither did his food so had to buy him some more lol

I was thinking of just keeping the lid off and putting the lights in a desk lamp and just sort of point them over the top of the tank, won't get as hot or moist in there then

[Graham]

I was thinking of just keeping the lid off and putting the lights in a desk lamp

That would be fine, basically the same as the setup I use for my small musk, except that my lamps are mounted in a pair of small Clamp Lamps.

[SisterMoonbeam]

Nice setup! The OH has bought an exo terra clamp from ebay now, and still waiting on the exo terra solar glo bulb we ordered...... those are okay aren't they? The ones that produce heat and UVB, thought it'd be more convenient to get one of those, was pretty pricey so hope it's worth it.

[Graham]

I think the jury is still out on the Solar Glo lamps. I was thinking of trying them, but I've just been told they were tested recently by the Yahoo! UV Meter Owners Group, who found they emit higher levels of UVB than they are supposed to.
It's worth looking into this before you use yours, maybe mount it at a greater distance than normal for safety, that may mean using an additional spotlamp to get the required basking temp though.