Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know that UVB rays do not go through glass, but I was wondering if they penetrate water? I have a large basking area above my turtle's tank with a heat light, and then a long strip light with a ReptiSun 5.0 bulb in it. The UVB light only shines on the turtle when she is in the water though, is this enough? Or should I consider saving up for one of those compact coil UVB lights and clamp it above the basking area? Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
~a

I think UVB does penetrate water, but not 100% of the rays do. It would be in your turtle's best interest to get a lamp with a UVB bulb I don't think the heat lamp is really necessary unless the tank is really cold - if that's the case you should buy a submersible heater for the water.

I understood heat lamp (in the original post) to mean a bulb that provides heat for basking, in which case you do need it. I have a coil UVB bulb shining on the basking area but it does not provide heat so I also have a regular 60 watt bulb shining on the basking area to bring the temp up in the mid 80's. I believe you can get a UVB bulb that also provides heat, and I will look for one when mine needs to be replaced. Regarding the UVB rays, I believe that I have read that the water does filter out some of the UVB.

thanks for the responses!

Yes, over the basking area I have a red heat lamp, it keeps the basking area warm but because it's red does not disrupt the turtle's sleeping pattern. I think I will start saving up to buy another clamp on fixture that I can put a coil UVB light in, that way the turtle will get direct UVB rays, not just one's through the water. I'm a poor college student, so it might take me a while to get the money together. Do you think the turtle will be okay with just the ReptiSun 5.0 light shining through the water for a couple months? ~a

You can get clamp light fixture at a pretty reasonable price ($6-8) at a lot of supermarkets or Home Depot. Unless you're going to use a high watt bulb (like more than 150W), there's no need to buy the fancy and pricey clamp light fixture sold at pet stores. The UVB bulb I have is only 15W. Good luck!

if you don't mind me asking how much did your coil UVB bulb cost? The cheapest I've seen them is like $35-$40 dollars. I went to two Petco's tonight, and neither one had any in stock!
~a

Perhaps instead of finding another place to mount your UVB lamp, you should just add a second basking spot. I have one under heat and one under my UVB. My turtles switch back and forth. The canopy hood holds in enough heat that they get both heat and humidity even when not under the basking lamp.

In the picture below you see one turtle checking out the heat lamp and the other basking under the UVB. You also see that I finally figured out something to use that middle brace for.

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My UVB light was ESU brand coil bulb. I bought it for $26. I personally think Petsmart has better prices than Petco.

Hi,

I think I got the same light as you...the ESU fullspec (squiggly coil right?). NOt quite sure if there are any studies done on its efficiency but it seems good enough. I think I also paid $19.99 for it at this family pet store. I'm surprised Petsmart/Petco would sell it for more. Maybe you got a stronger bulb.

Jonny

Thanks for all the suggestions!
I'm going to look into getting a coil UVB bulb, as long as I can get the fixture and bulb for under 30 bucks I can probably fit it into my next paycheck.

I idea of having a second basking area is a good one, but I only have a 40 gallon breeder tank, so I like to keep it completely full of water, the turtle actually climbs up out of the tank into a cage to bask. This set up gives Petri the most swimming area possible.

~a