Equipment Review and Discussion :: Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle Habit Kit

[hector]

I would like to say that the MED ZOO AQUATIC TURTLE HABITAT kit that you can purchase at almost ever pet store can easily become a fire hazard. They supply a 75 watt halogen heat bulb that clearly states on the package " use only in a lamp with a ceramic socket". The lamp they provide for that bulb has a plastic socket and clearly states on the package " less expensive than the reptile porcelain clamp lamp BUT ONLY USE WITH INCANDESCENT LAMPS UP TO 100 WATTS". This is to avoid the risk of fire. They do supply a ceramic socket lamp that has a deep reflector for use with the UVB lamp that comes with the kit. Also this kit is made for smaller turtles. The floating turtle basking dock that's provided sinks under the weight of a 4 inch slider. On the box it shows 2 turtles on the basking dock at the same time. Also on the box for the dock it is marked "SMALL" as in the smallest they make. The proper size dock costs up to $50. around here. After spending almost $200. for the kit which has printing on it to ensure you that you are getting everything you need for your habitat you will find that you need to spend nearly another $100 making your habitat turtle friendly and fire safe. Now it does also state that "this kit may not contain all products that are shown on the packaging". But this is because the box has pictures on it showing under water flora and that it can be use for other reptiles. READ, READ, READ every label on every item before you set this kit up and leave the room so your slider can bask in private. Buying a kit does save money as compared to buying your habitat "al a cart", but you can not exchange or return portions of the kit for the proper equipment. I hope this helps some body out there. Thanks.

[VeipaCray]

Unfortunately most products marketed for turtles are garbage. Thanks for the review and the warnings of the lamps.

[steve]

Sorry to hear about your experience, I consider this to be in the top 10 of bad turtle products.

[VeipaCray]

@Steve: should we post that list? Items to avoid?

[steve]

It wouldn't be a bad idea, though some people will still ignore the advice.

[VeipaCray]

They always do *shrug*. I think most of the turtle noobs get their first bit of info and equipment advice from local petstores which can be hit or miss...mostly miss. For those that research here first, the list may prove to be helpful.

[hector]

Thanks for the post, MY BUILD THREAD on the work you did on your habitat. nicely done! unfortunately the ** MUST SEE ** Best Turtle Product Ever took me to a Youtube video of someone singing and dancing around. I noticed that they had over 67 million views of this link. what a cheap &%$ way to get a lot of air play. I hope that that wasn't you VeipaCray and if it was I hope I didn't offend you with my comments.

[VeipaCray]

I doubt I could generate 67 million views from this forum. No it's not me. See this link for an explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickrolling

[Rafa2k]

lol, I was actually looking at this kit a couple of days after getting my turtles from the fair. The guy at the pet store, that I won't name, straight up told me to stay away from that garbage.

[PridgNYC]

I think you should name the pet store it's not often you get good advice from people working at a pet store. Unless it is to protect the guy's job, then let's all give silent kudos to the nameless employee trying to actually help people.

[Rafa2k]

It was PetSmart, and the person I talked to also has a couple RES and other amphibs. Unfortunately, the well informed employee is no longer working there and the guy I see working his area now is not so good.

[natalia]

lol, I was actually looking at this kit a couple of days after getting my turtles from the fair. The guy at the pet store, that I won't name, straight up told me to stay away from that garbage.

Seems like you're not the only one....I was looking at it yesterday too. Good thing i didnt buy it!