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 #2064321


Piper83
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 Lighting and Set up question

I dont post here to often but I had a question. I built a tank top turtle dock for my two turtles and it seems to be working out great. My only problem is that I want the whole tank to be lit up in the daytime so the tank can look its best and not look so dark and dreary. Does anyone know of some sort of light or fluorescent fixture I can attach to the botom of the topper and not have to worry about it getting splashed a little? Ill post a picture if it helps. Any other advice on the setup is also welcome.

My cameras not the best but you get the idea


This is boris and franklin


As a side not im getting a canister filter for it soon!



08/27/09  06:32pm

 #2064560


Heatseeker
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  Message To: Piper83   In reference to Message Id: 2064321


 Lighting and Set up question

I know they make a MVB type of spot light that is for water turtles called turtle tuff but I am not sure on the long tube lights... Would one for a fish tank work? I am not sure how much room you have there but usually they have plastic or glass covers under them. Sorry I could help more... Good luck.



08/28/09  09:04am

 #2065311


Idk53
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  Message To: Piper83   In reference to Message Id: 2064321


 Lighting and Set up question

Piper83, How did you make that top land enclosure? doesn’t make the tank top heavy?



08/29/09  11:17pm

 #2065376


Datsunissan28
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  Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2064560


 Lighting and Set up question

Those turtle tough lights are just water resistant halogen lights. They don’t give off any UVB and you can find similar products at any hardware store.

I’m in the process of designing my own above tank basking area for my turtles and I thought of this problem before. What I am going to do is place a t-5 (tube only has a diameter of 5/8 inch) fluorescent fixture along the bottom of the basking area with a piece of plexiglass shielding it from the water. T-5 bulbs give off little heat and shouldn’t warp the plexi.

Another route is LED lighting. Its becoming a lot more affordable and lasts for a the life of the basking area.



08/30/09  08:17am

 #2065382


Heatseeker
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  Message To: Datsunissan28   In reference to Message Id: 2065376


 Lighting and Set up question

Ok thank you, I didn’t think about any other water resistant halogens. That one was the first one that popped into my head at the time.
Yep a small strip light could be used that has a cover or with added plexi glass. They make small ones for under counter lighting, they already have attachment places built in.

Any UVB light used with a glass or plexi glass cover will block any UVB rays put out by the light. I am assuming the UVB bulb is up in the basking area...



08/30/09  08:46am

 #2065383


Heatseeker
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  Message To: Datsunissan28   In reference to Message Id: 2065376


 Lighting and Set up question

Ok thank you, I didn’t think about any other water resistant halogens. That one was the first one that popped into my head at the time.
Yep a small strip light could be used that has a cover or with added plexi glass. They make small ones for under counter lighting, they already have attachment places built in.

Any UVB light used with a glass or plexi glass cover will block any UVB rays put out by the light. I am assuming the UVB bulb is up in the basking area...



08/30/09  08:47am

 #2065458


Gottee guy
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  Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2065383


 Lighting and Set up question

Datsunissan28, UVB rays can not travel through plexiglass, or plastic or glass for that matter.



08/30/09  02:08pm

 #2065612


Piper83
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  Message To: Idk53   In reference to Message Id: 2065311


 Lighting and Set up question

IDK53 I made it out of some 1/4’’ osb I had. Its real cheap and not to heavy only like a pound or two total. If you use it just be sure to make the botom water proof. As far as UVB that is in the baskin area so I dont need it under the topper. Its just simply gonna be there for me and the fish lol



08/30/09  08:58pm

 #2066449


Datsunissan28
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  Message To: Gottee guy   In reference to Message Id: 2065458


 Lighting and Set up question

Quote:

Datsunissan28, UVB rays can not travel through plexiglass, or plastic or glass for that matter.


Actually Poly(methyl methacrylate) or more commonly known as acrylic passes UV lighting above 300nm and UVB falls between 290-320nm. Plexiglass is a brand of acrylic . Some acrylic is treated to not allow any UV light to pass under 400nm. On the other hand there is acrylic made for tanning beds that let the whole spectrum of UVB to pass as well.

Also he asked for a light source not a UVB source in his original post.



09/01/09  07:30pm

 #2067033


Mikeornata
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  Message To: Datsunissan28   In reference to Message Id: 2066449


 Lighting and Set up question

recent studies have suggested that UVB is not essential for most aquatic species esp. RES’s
Besides I wouldnt normally spend $75.00 on a $5.00 turtle
Thats just me.



09/03/09  07:57am

 #2067095


Reptilefreak23
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  Message To: Mikeornata   In reference to Message Id: 2067033


 Lighting and Set up question

Your recent studies might also show the afterward appearance of calcium deficiency and digestion problems.



09/03/09  11:09am

 #2067135


Mikeornata
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  Message To: Reptilefreak23   In reference to Message Id: 2067095


 Lighting and Set up question

They’re not my studies.



09/03/09  01:02pm


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