johnny walker Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 please help with heating and things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 See Turtle care sheet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 thanks is lighting a must? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 Lighting is nice. Makes it easier to look at. The little turtle would probably enjoy a heat lamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 thanks is lighting a must? Its not about 'looks' its about the turtle needing a reptile light to provide correct UVB/UVA so it can produce Vit D which it needs to absorb calcium and stay healthy. In the wild it would have sunlight to do this. In a tank you are responsible for replicating that to keep the turtle healthy. If the UV bulb doesnt say 'reptile' then you dont have a light thats any use at all. Also you need to remove the perspex cover from the light so it doesnt block the rays and not have glass blocking either. Sunlight penetrates water several cm...a UV bulb hardly any depth through the water at all, so you need the light over the basking area so its directly on turtle when it basks. A heat lamp...ordinary 40-60watt bulb at a 30cm distance from turtle is fine...will warm the area up and encourage turtle out of the water and under the UVB. Check out the care sheets, all the info is there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 Maybe you should do all the research before you decide to get one? I think you'll find the setup quite expensive. And if you don't setup properly, it will eventually mean death for your new friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 I don't mean to sound harsh but if you want to know if turtles need the light, I'd suggest a LOT more research. I mean this is a very long term commitment, and after the large tank, filter, lights, heater, UV tube etc you're looking at a rather substantial financial outlay, not to mention the responsibility that comes along with holding a life in your hands, and being accountable for it. I can only hope the store person will let you know how much work is actually involved with keeping any turtle, and provide sufficient advice with regards to the equipment you will need. It is also important to research common ailments and preventative measures, like the need for calcium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 I don't mean to sound harsh but if you want to know if turtles need the light, I'd suggest a LOT more research. I mean this is a very long term commitment, and after the large tank, filter, lights, heater, UV tube etc you're looking at a rather substantial financial outlay, not to mention the responsibility that comes along with holding a life in your hands, and being accountable for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 ok how costly is a setup ive already got the tank ? and a filter (elite stingray) would that be fine ? but how much would the rest cost me thanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 uv lamp is the killer, i think its about $100 at the LFS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 does it have to be a uv lamp or can i just get a normal lamp and put a uv bulb in ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 ok how costly is a setup ive already got the tank ? and a filter (elite stingray) would that be fine ? but how much would the rest cost me thanks? How big is your tank? What is the basking area like? How big is the turtle you are getting? I know nothing about the stingray filter...except I think its an internal one...and therefore not really much use for a turtle who produces vast amounts of waste. What research have you done on set-up, feeding etc etc? 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 does it have to be a uv lamp or can i just get a normal lamp and put a uv bulb in ? The bulb has to be a Reptile uvb/uva bulb... The light fitting is just a standard aquarium light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 the turtle i am wanting to get is tiny just bigger than a 50cent coin the tank i have is only for it while it is young but is 60cm long 45cm high and 45 cm wide. i have bein researching all over google about food nutrition heat etc and bein reading some old pet magazines and also read your caresheet several times the basking area will be about 1/5 of the tank (if that makes sence) and the filter i have is just for a short amount of time anyway thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 Please take a note of what Donna is saying. You may not know but she is the person who ends up looking after and spending vast amounts of her own time and money rescuing abandoned, sick and injured turtles through out NZ and nursing them back to health In my own experience my nephew purchased a turtle several years ago. It was tiny and he put it in a 3ft tank with a fluval 4 internal filter (both of which are bigger than what you have). Within a few months it was too big for the tank and too fat to be healthy because he fed it more than he should. He gave it back to the pet shop. I have now seen too many pics of rotting turtle shells, puss etc pouring out of turtles to recommend that anyone purchase a turtle before they spend the money to buy exactly what they are going to need to keep their pet healthy and happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 OK great. I thought maybe you had already bought one off TM or something. The baby will be about the size of the palm of your hand in about 18mths. Amazing how fast they grow in the first couple of years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 cool was that you in the pet mag ? and im only going to have it in that tank while it is young and then once ive moved my oscars i can move it into my 6ft tank and the filter is only for short term thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 Yes, that was me in the pet mag.... I havent seen it yet tho :lol: Cherie and family created the "Turtle Sanctuary" pond under my guidance and now I have a place I can send rehabilitated females to be rehomed...or just stay. Theres 10 there so far and I have 5 more lined up to go out once summer arrives. The pond is 15 mtres long with a basking island in the middle and straight sides with an overhang so turtles cant escape so theres no fence needed. Wonderful place for turtles...but wouldnt be needed if owners committed to caring for the turtles properly for their lifetime. So I'm really keen to see you do a proper set-up and look after your turtle well Oh, and dont be fooled into getting more than one...check out some of the threads I've started with injured turtles from their fighting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 Dont forget to get a clip-on light fitting as well for the incandescant bulb...that provides warmth and encourages turtle out under the UV to bask and get properly dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 ok so do i need two light sources? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 ok so do i need two light sources? Yes. UV and heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted July 26, 2010 Report Share Posted July 26, 2010 you can get clip on lights from the wharehouse for around $10 each, fit one with an incandecent bulb and the other with a UV bulb. but the uv bulb i picked up requires a screw fitting, and the wharehouse lamps arnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2010 ok thanks i think im starting to get it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny walker Posted July 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2010 how much for a good filter good heat lamp good uv lamp and heater? is this a good heat lamp ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pe ... 143221.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 26, 2010 Report Share Posted July 26, 2010 how much for a good filter good heat lamp good uv lamp and heater? is this a good heat lamp ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pe ... 143221.htm I use that type of fitting now as the cheaper versions dont last with being turned on for 10-12 hrs straight. Good to go for more expensive, but will last, then keep buying cheap ones and wasting money...well thats what I've found :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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