Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So ive got both a heat lamp for my little YBS's and a UVA/UVB ReptoSun 5.0, but i dont have the UV light directly over their basking spot like i do the heat light. It is slightly to the side a bit, it still over part of the basking area,but not the majority. I will attach a drawing(made on paint so dont laugh, i spent way too much time on the turtle....)

my questions is whether not the little guys are getting the correct amount of UV exposure even though its not sitting directly over the basking spot? Let me know, if not any suggestions welcome. Thanks a lot, dave.

I think the UV bulb you have penetrates 10-12", so as long as it's 10-12" from the turtles, they'll absorb some UV. Mine is usually about 6" from the basking spots just to make sure they absorb some. If you can keep your turtles outside in the summer that is a good way to guarantee they're getting the UV they need. Also, the bulbs are only good for about a year according to the company although most people I know suggest you replace them every 6 months.

Here's a link to the Zoo Med website too, they have full descriptions of their products.

Hope that helps,

-Joe-
Zoo Med

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0.1.0 Colombian Red-tailed Boa (100% Het. for albino)
0.0.3 Western Hognose Snakes
0.1.1 Plains Garter Snakes
1.0.0 Red-sided Garter Snake
1.2.0 Barred Tiger Salamanders
0.0.1 Red-eared Slider
0.0.1 Common Snapping Turtle

Yeah the lights are about 7 inches above the basking spot. I cant really keep them outside in the summer time. i love in an apartment on the 3rd floor and i dont have much room on the balcony for an outdoor setup. Plus i live in seattle and it gets pretty hot during the day in the summer time, but at night it gets pretty cold. So yea cant really do that at this point in my life. Thanks for the advice

You might consider getting a floating rock and filling the tank up so your turtle has more room to swim around (like they do in the wild).

Does your UV light stretch accross the whole tank lengthwise, or is it just a small UV in one spot?