General Care Discussion :: Need Advice on my Setup for the tank

[virux]

Hey I just came back from petco and im just double checking with you guys that i didnt do anything wrong. First off for the uvb light i was wondering if there is more of a compact version not the tube so i dont have to use the mesh and anther thing im worried about the turtle and the heater will it burn them? well take a look at the pics.

[missibsu]

I think it looks great! A couple of things I would point out...You can go ahead and raise the water level a little higher. Also, the UVB will not go through that screen, I have one just like it. I ended up proping the light the other direction across the tank and taking the screen off. There are other lights that are compact. The go in a clamp light with a ceramic fitting. They are expensive and made to use on tanks over 55 gallons. Becuase they get so hot, it is hard to regulate the temps in smaller tanks.

[virux]

What about the water heater is it ok where i place it at?

[missibsu]

Watch for your turtles to try and stand on it. Some heaters get really hot and it could burn your turtle. If you fill up your tank more, you could place it at a verticle angle, or slanted even. That being said, mine is horizontal just like yours and I do not have a problem with them standing on it.

[BullDog]

Looks nice! I love the plants and the log thingy that it looks like he/she can swim through

Also, the UVB will not go through that screen, I have one just like it. I ended up proping the light the other direction across the tank and taking the screen off.

Really? How can you tell if enough uvb is getting through?

[TurtleBot]

Looks sweet! I would suggest the water level 4 or 5 inches from the top of the tank. Also some rocks or larger fish pebbles would be awesome (no more then 2-3 inches). Turts love to dig and re-arrange their rocks. I find that the UVB long bulbs work best as they give the turtle full UVB coverage. (Not just in one spot where the turt always isn't at.)

[steve]

Looks nice, though I do have 2 comments. First... do not keep the tank near a window. Sunlight can quickly heat up that tank, especially smaller ones. Cool drafts can make your turtles sick and the sunlight will make algae a real problem. Second... temperature check! The water thermometer reads 70, though you should keep the water at 75-78 and use another thermometer to monitor the basking temps.

I would also recommend a sturdier table/stand - it's a bit uncomfortable seeing it hang off at the edges. I do like the plants, its adds some nice color in there.

Fyi - I don't think the water can be raised too high... it looks like it has the side cut.

[Jessica313]

Really? How can you tell if enough uvb is getting through?

there is no way to physically see or tell if its getting through or not... but the rule is, if the screen has less than half inch openings, then it is filtering the UVB rays
____

ALSO-- virux.. just out of curiosity, i am wondering why you got a tank thats open on the sides like yours is.... i feel like that is wasting a ton of space in your tank....

[missibsu]

Just a rant here, but I hate those tanks with the open sides. I irritates me that the company markets those to turtle keepers. People who are just starting really don't have a clue unless they have done their research first...and even then you don't always catch it.

Grrrrrr!

[Jessica313]

yea i dont get why they do that either... it doesnt really make any sense to me..

viruz- if be careful, turtles are REALLY good at escaping (i know from experience lol)
and it looks like yours would easily be able to climb out of the open side... so you might want to cover it with something... just be careful or he could escape!

[fishandcandy]

Just a thought - would it be possible to silicone piece of plexiglass over that hole? If you put a piece on that was larger than the hole and glued it to the inside, it seems like the weight of the water would help hold it on (instead of putting it on the outside where the water might push it off).
I thought that might work since the hole isn't too big and doesn't go all the way to the top.
Then you could put a lot more water in.

[Spookster]

Just a rant here, but I hate those tanks with the open sides. I irritates me that the company markets those to turtle keepers. People who are just starting really don't have a clue unless they have done their research first...and even then you don't always catch it.

Grrrrrr!

I am afraid I was suckered into that when I first started. The pet store said this is the one you need so you can put the hanging filter on the side. Grrrrrr!!! That was before I found this site. I was soooo happy to get rid of that tank. It was nothing but a pain in the arse.

[CApears4u2]

Really? How can you tell if enough uvb is getting through?

There is no way to physically see or tell if its getting through or not... but the rule is, if the screen has less than half inch openings, then it is filtering the UVB rays.

Oh Boy, I think I can chime in here! (happy 'cause I'm a newbie)
But regarding measuring UVB's, check out this website:

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/usinguvmeter.htm

It has LOTS of info on UVB Meters. Instructions, comparisons, spread charts, problems, etc. Not to mention LOTS of info about reptile lighting in general.
Hope that helps.

T