General Care Discussion :: Heating Lamp questions.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[steve]

What kind of lamp is it? The only lamps that produce usable heat/UVB are mercury vapor bulbs.

[ContraMaster]

Nope, I lied, I realise it's only lighting,

[steve]

How big is the tank? Do you have a picture of the whole setup?

[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.

[ContraMaster]

Also, when I start working I will be making a bigger, custom tank.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.