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Old 14-05-2008, 09:56 AM
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If you use flourescent UVB lamps then you need a spotlamp to provide heat as well, flourescents run too cool to be used on their own.

The alternative, if you have a big enough tank, is to use a single Mercury Vapour combined UVB and heat lamp.

You mention two strip lamps, what type of lamps are they and how are they mounted, is there a hood on the tank?
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Old 14-05-2008, 12:19 PM
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I havent got the tank set up yet as i want it right before i transfer the terrapins in there.

Theres two flourecents in the removable hood of the tank, think they are just normal tube. and theres a platic cover over them protecting them that unscrews.

I thought maybe i could take the plastic cover off to expose the tubes.
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Old 14-05-2008, 01:42 PM
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You need to remove the hood completely. The warm lamps and the hood create a very humid environment which isn't good for turts, it can cause RI and scute retention amongst other things, turt tanks need to be completely open-topped for maximum ventilation.

If the tubes are just normal flourescents then you need to add a UVB lamp anyway, for smaller tanks (what size is yours?) I use a compact flourescent UVB mounted in a Clamp Lamp holder, with the spotlight in another one.

If you look at the photos of my Musk "Widget" in the photo section you'll see what I mean.
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Old 14-05-2008, 03:09 PM
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The tank they are in at the min looks around the same size as yours, but the bigger tank is 3ft.

I think i'll do what you've done and get a spot light and UV lights etc on clamps.
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Old 15-05-2008, 12:03 AM
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Tortoises and terrapins like all reptiles need both heat - as well as UVB light from UV tubes. The UV light bulbs give off UVB rays which reptiles use to synthesize a vitamin called D3, this vitamin is used in the absorption of calcium within the body. Calcium is not only important for bones etc but also for reptiles breathing, as (basically) due to them lacking a diaphragm they rely on muscles which in turn need calcium to work. There is a really good website called Melissa Kaplan's Herp and Green Iguana Information Collection which has articles covering all this info and also has some great charts comparing UVB output of different makes of bulbs.

The repti - sun bulbs are def the best and good news is they do a reptile spot bulb and UVB bulb in one!! Please remember that even though UVB bulbs continue to work after 6 months their level of UVB output will not be as high and they will need to be changed.

Hope this helps
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