Habitat - Indoor :: UV 5.0 or 10.0

[Marcus.85]

Hello ya'll, I'm new here and just upgraded to a 100gal. So I was wondering, what kinda uv light I should use, and generally speaking, is it better 5.0 or 10.0? Both for compact bulbs and tubes.
Thanks in advance.

[SINI5T3R]

I have no idea to the question but you should post a pic of that 100 gal

[Marcus.85]

Here ya go it's still a work in progress tho:




SOrry bout the horrible quality.

[vear]

I think most of us use the 5.0. I have mine about 12" from the basking area.

[freshprince2146]

Yea most of us use the repti-glo 5.0 uvb bulb

[SINI5T3R]

Nice tank. Wish I had a 100 Gal.

[PcBuilder14]

I've got a 10.0 UVB but I don't think it really matters which one you get. I get the 10.0's just because they're cheaper at my Petsmart for some odd reason.

[rsour24]

i have a 5.0. what substrate is that on the bottom? it looks rly dark

[BullDog]

Nice looking tank!

I use the 5.0 CFLs, but they're fairly close to the basking area (about 8"). A couple of years ago, there was a problem with the 10.0s putting off too much UVB, but it has since been fixed. As long as they're at least 12" from the basking area, a 10.0 will be fine.

Also, you'll want to look for the 26W. It is my understanding that the 13W doesn't produce as much UVB.

[sull324]

I wouldn't suggest either a 5.0 or 10.0.

An full sun produce around 100-200 uw/cm2 while an light shade is around 50-100. An 10% fluorescent i think produce around 10-30 at 12 inch.
As far as i know slider need around 50-150.

I bought an 100watts megaray,at 20 inch from my basking spot,the plus is in 2-3 years its probably going to produce more then a brand new 10% tube.its worth the money.

[Marcus.85]

Thanks for the replys, at the bottom I have dark sand (with some pale one mixed), in the pic it looks darker than it actually is.
I got a fluval 405 canister filter and the plants below surface are all silk aquarium plants, while the ones above water near the basking area are real.
About uv lighting.. in the Ikea TERTIAL lamp you can see in the photo i have a 5.0 repti glo compact bulb, while in the back of the tank i have an old 10.0 18w neon tube (which i have to change, hence the topic question).
As you can see i have two cork bark-basking areas, a small one on the left and a bigger one with a spot lamp and everything on the right.
The tank was less than 200$ got it from a guy on kijiji with its cabinet and all.
Here's a slightly better pic:


And here's a kinda old one:

[BullDog]

That's a really great looking tank you've got! Very natural looking. What sort of turtle is that? YBS or cooter?

[blueK5]

How do you clean it? I mean with the sand? could you let me know what your cleaning regiment is? the bottom of my tank is like a desert and wanted sand for it andy info would be cool ! Thanks

[Marcus.85]

Thanks. Sand is really easy to clean, because all rubbish and stuff stays on top, while with gravel it gets all mixed and goes under it.
I use a regular vacuum/siphon once a week, or occasionally twice/w and the bottom stays clean. I change water every 2 weeks, about a 10%.
I've got 2 turtles in there, a YBS about 2 yrs of age, and a 1 year old RES.