Page 1 of 1

Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 12:51 am
by ContraMaster
Hi, I've had a red ear slider since I was around 12 years.

I've been a hrorrible owner, not heating my turtles tank and leaving the Heating Lamp on most of it's life. I plan on bettering it's habitat soon as I have started work and I can now maintain it with automated equipment.

Sorry about my crapy intro. But my main question is about Heating Lamps, if i've left it on most of her life how should I go about adujusting it to a day and night schedule Would I turn off the light 1 hour before 0000 hours and keep seting it back an hour till i get a day/night cycle going or ahould i do it more gradual than that? Any help is greatly appriciated and if you need more info please ask.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 12:34 am
by steve
Does this heating lamp also produce light?

For lighting, I think you can just go right ahead an change it. Have it turn on when it's sunrise, off when its sunset.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:50 pm
by ContraMaster
Thank you for the reply and yes, it does also supply the heat but in a directional area which is a medium sized island.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:01 pm
by steve
What kind of lamp is it? The only lamps that produce usable heat/UVB are mercury vapor bulbs.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:07 pm
by ContraMaster
Nope, I lied, I realise it's only lighting,

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:13 pm
by steve
How big is the tank? Do you have a picture of the whole setup?

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:53 pm
by ContraMaster
Currently my turtle tank is dirty because I've been on vacation and no one decided to clean, but I will be cleaning it soon so dont worry.

Image

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:55 pm
by ContraMaster
Also, when I start working I will be making a bigger, custom tank.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 6:10 pm
by steve
I'd start by making sure the current tank is properly supported and it looks like it should be on something more solid. The current size doesn't look too bad, but you do need to make adjustments all around.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:20 am
by ContraMaster
I might buy a heating lamp soon, as well as a tank heater. Do you know the monthly costs of these? Seperated if you can.
I can't find anying on electrical costs.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:00 am
by steve
It shouldn't cost much. For the lamp, you can use a 50W halogen for 8-10 hours a day. The UVB lamp will be a compact florescent would be 13-26W. A heater is on a thermostat, so it's not always on... it just maintains the set temperature.

Re: Heating Lamp questions.

PostPosted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:23 am
by litefoot
Electrical cost: Look at your utility bill just the electric side , look for the meter reading , divide the meter reading into the cost. For me that cost $0.12 per kWh metered ! Make sure it 's an actual reading some city's can and do use estimate reading every other month ( says if true reading on the bill). Do that for where you live don't use my cost. Every city is different ! Then you can go from there for each item. A few dollars a month , not much for me on what I have.