Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, I sprung for the MVB so I now have full spectrum lighting coming from the basking lamp, in addition to from a florescent. I bought a 100 watt T-Rex flood and set it up the minimum 12 inches from the platform, replacing a regular Repti Spot bulb. Wow, it was expensive!

Anyway, all is well, except that the ambient air temperature is lower, I suppose because the MVB does not throw off as much heat as the old incandescent. It was about 90 under the old lamp on the platform; now it is about 80, give or take a few degrees. Is this an issue?

That should be ok. Do you have a screen top? Sometimes I have covered some of the top with aluminum foil to keep more of the heat in. I have actually never worried about the temperature my turtles basking area is....they are much hardier than my various lizards! Going on 6 years here with no illnesses or problems. RES are not tropical reptiles, and survive just fine in a variety of temperatures.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
1 little girl born 2/2/06
2 male RES, born 1999
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

Thanks, that's what I thought---they are indigenous to the SE US. I rechecked the temperature with another thermometer and it's actually in the high eighties, so my first reading was off. No screen since it's an indoor pond, not a tank.

You should be fine. High eighties is a normal basking temp. Theres not to many natural areas turtles can bask at a steady 90-100 degrees anyway.

-Chris
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Currently in the US Navy so I have sold off my collection. But over the years I have had dozens of turtles, fish, geckos, and other lizards. Cant wait to get back in the hobby once im out though!