Hi! I'm Colleen and I have a turtle named Link. I got her a little over 3 years ago from a street vendor when she was the size of a quarter. She's moved states with me and I adore her. I've always really loved reptiles, it takes a lot of self control to not just pick up all the red eared sliders they have at the animal shelter and bring them home! I also have cats and dogs and work on horse farms so I get a nice variety of animals in my life. I just set up a 65 gallon tank for her and I think it's coming along really well. She seems really happy and more active, I'd love any advice people have for me.
I am curious about lighting setups - with a tank this big I definitely need an upgrade. I've always had a clip on lamp but that won't cut it anymore. Do more people have a lamp hanging over the tank or the long hood lights? And do you prefer mercury vapor bulbs or UVB + heat bulbs? I'm trying my first mercury vapor bulb but she's only been in the new tank 30 hours and hasn't gotten onto the basking platform yet.
Thanks!