Equipment Review and Discussion :: Recs for basking areas and UV/heat lamp?

[combatbaby]

Hey all,

I'd like a roomy basking area for my 4-year old, 4 1/2 long slider that I can find in a pet store or an online supply store. So...any big, stationary basking areas that *aren't* a zoomed dock? I'm not good at the stacking rocks thing.

Also, what lamps emit both UVB rays and heat? Links would be nice.

Thanks!

[Daniel3507]

you could make an above tank basking area. there are alot of pictures on the forum if you do a search for it. its good that you're not good at stacking rocks. it can be dangerous for your turtles.

as for the a bulb that emits UVB and heat
http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-sb-100 ... b-lamp.php
you need a tank thats at least 50 gallons though

[megcornell]

Take a look at the kordon ramps- they are more sturdy than the zoomed ones and are better for larger turtles. Here's a link:
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.ph ... cts_id=208

As for bulbs- like daniel said, you need a minimun of 50-55 gallons for heat+UVB combo bulbs. They are just too strong for tinier tanks. If you do have a large tank, look into MVB bulbs like the link daniel posted.

[marisa]

How big is the tank? If it's more than 50 gallons, either a Mega-Ray or a T-Rex Active UV Heat mercury vapor bulb (for the T-Rex, a flood; for either a 100-watt one).

For a roomy basking area, if you don't mind spending a little money and want a natural look, I vote for a large piece of corkbark---a large curl at www.blackjungle.com for example. You can cut it to fit the width of the tank and wedge it between the sides.