Turtle light

[mani]

Guys what is the cheapest and most effective way to light a turtle tank.
I see the reptile/turtle lights in the pet shop and they cost and arm and a leg.

IS there a cheap alternative - where all of the turtles lighting/uv needs are met without cost me an arm and leg.?

Thanks guys.

[ashhhh]

other than putting your tank outside - no not really

some of the marine forums (masa) allways have 2nd hand metal halide lights for sale in there trader section

heres a link
http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/index.php?sid=3dd863aa94eda2ad25f2450c558007af

[grokz]

thanks ash for the link as i need a cheap light for my turtle as well 8)

[Savage_roo]

ya i know its a pain but i just put a 2 foot tank on a table out in the sun and put him in there for a few houres a day and a towl over 1 end so he could get out of the sun if he got to hot
Good luck

[ashhhh]

[quote:615874093e]IS there a cheap alternative - where all of the turtles lighting/uv needs are met without cost me an arm and leg.? [/quote:615874093e]

remember that a turtle not only needs uv to keep there shells healthy they need a light, such as a metal halide, that emits heat.They are a reptile (cold blooded) so they need the warmth to give them energy to digest there food. but you allready new that :wink:

[Alan Caboolture]

Mani,

If there was a cheap alturnative every one would know about it

Unfortunately there is no such thing, except houseing the animals out in sun light.  Then they only use that a few hours a day if that.

Alan.

[gill]

Hey all...
While your all on the topic of turtles and lighting, does anyone know someone who breeds turltes (prefer Murry River) Im so use to the great prices of fish on here and at the auctions that the current price for these guys at the local pet shop seems abit steep atm. But i have noticed the price creeping down at certain places. If you can help thats great.


Cheers Chris

[ashhhh]

maybe try getting onto one of the reptile forums,
there is a few out there :wink:

[Boydii]

Hi guys, if you want a cheap source of UV for turtles, get the blacklights they sell at lighting stores, emit 3 times the UV than a lot of those cruddy 'reptile lights', just remember after about 6 months they stop emitting efficiant UV and must be replaced like all UV lights.

Gill, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary sells hatchling Brisbane Short Necks, Emydura Signata, every year. They are a local species, look just like Murrays, and have the same needs, give them a call.

If anyone has any questions regarding Reptiles or Amphibians send me a pm, and be wary, a lot of pet shops give wrong information that can lead to animal's deaths.

[Boydii]

Oh, and while were on the topic of turtles here's a link to a great turtle caresheet written by Craig Latta, one of Australia's most respected turtle breeders.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AustralianFreshwaterTurtlesandFrogs/files/Turtle%20Caresheet/