Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:24 pm Re: Need help with lighting
You have a couple of options, but it ultimately comes down to what is most convenient for your situation.
Jade already mentioned the first option: Having separate UV and heat lights. Depending on how big your UV bulb is, you're dealing with 20-50 watts, with wattage increasing as your fluorescent tube gets longer. There are also some compact fluorescents (CFL's) that are usually around 13-26W. In addition to a UV bulb, you're going to need an incandescent bulb (you don't need the special PetSmart bulbs, just go and get one from the hardware store). Depending on how close your basking spot is to the light, that will usually be around 40-60W. This kind of setup will save you wattage, but requires more creativity in how you set up the basking area. (Due to the fact that you'll have two fixtures to deal with).
The second option takes up more wattage, but saves a lot of space. For 100-160W, you can buy a mercury vapor bulb (MVB). It has all your UV and heat in one bulb.
Something important to note is that both types of lighting setups require a "burn-in" period during their first day or two (more like two) days of use, in which they are a little over-zealous in their UV output and must be monitored closely (to ensure they're not damaging your turtle's eyes or otherwise bothering it. CFL's have been known to do this frequently).
My advice would be: 1) Decide which kind of lighting setup you want within the next day or two, 2) Buy (or order) the lights you want, even if your tank isn't ready, and 3) turn on the lights for 13 hours a day (turned off at night) for 2-3 days until you get your RES. This should minimize issues with the burn-in period, and makes it so that you don't have to monitor/stress out your turtle as much when it finally arrives. (Note: This is assuming that your RES won't be here for a few days, if not a week). Best of luck to you!
