LED white light for Red ear turtle hatchlings

Question
QUESTION: hi Yex,
         i have two red ear slider turtle hatchlings(i guess b'coz size:1-1.5 inch).Very recently  i bought a Clamp on led white light that i am using for my turtle tank. Is this light good for my turtles or is it harmful.please let me know so that i can make alternate arrangements

ANSWER: Hello,

You need a heat lamp for the basking area (land area) to provide enough heating for them. You also need a UVB producing flourescent bulb. These look like fish tank bulbs but they are made for reptiles and produce the needed uv rays to allow for proper calcium absorption.

Here is a link with tons of information on care and lighting, along with plenty of other useful information:

http://redearslider.com

Good luck
Yexalen


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Yex,
         thanks for ther prompt reply. i would like to inform you that i bought a halogen dichroic lamp 50w MR16 (spot lamp)after reading in net that halogen bulbs emit UV rays required for turtles.However after i rechecked i foundout an article saying that the haolgen lamps are not good for turtles.i'm confused.i didnot use that lamp because i felt hot after putting my hand in the lights way and thought it would be too warm for turtles.
i want to use only 2 bulbs and request you to suggest those so that i can buy them. Is normal flourocent bulb sufficient?can i use incandescent bulb for basking?Also to mention that i've changed my turtle habitat. i bought a industrial tub(30"X18"X8")(30% with rocks for basking).Also if it is not toomuch to ask, i really love to use sand as substrate in my tub . i feel it would be more naturalto turtles rather than my dark blue tub bottom.can i go with sand?thanks  

Answer
Hello,

I am not too good with what brands and types are better then others I heard Tracie (a reptile expert here) is good with lighting questions but not sure on her expertise on turtles.

I think mine is called Repti-glo 5.0 or repti-sun 5.0 not sure which.
Thats the UV lighting I use and then for heat on the basking/land area I have a regular 75watt household lightbulb. It keeps basking temperatures very accurate in my enclosure.

normal flourescent bulbs do not provide the needed UVB bulbs.
Any bulb that produces heat is fine for the basking area as long as you have UVB lighting with a different bulb.

The rocks need to be pretty large to prevent them from being eaten (turtles eat anything)

Sand is not recommended and the most popular tank bottom is just bare tank. Its safest and easiest to clean.

Turtles have been known to eat at the sand at the bottom of the tank and when sand gets into the digestive system it hardens and clumps together and can get impacted causing a painful death to the turtle.

If you want something on the bottom fo the tub then use large smooth river rock. Its natural, and safe.

Good luck
Yexalen