lighing/heating red eared sliders

Question
i am thinking of getting some baby turtles i already know everthing but i dont
know what kind of lights they need (temp ultraviolet infrafed heating idk?)
what should i get how much will it cost me? plz help me out oh ya how can
you tell if a bby res is sick if you have any tips you have to offer plz tell me.
thank you your the best :)

Answer
Hello Brandon, you will need a heat lamp of some sort, either a regular reptile heat bulb or a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter) for their basking/land area. CHEs run a little expensive maybe $30 depending on where you shop. Heat bulbs run from $10-$20 depending again on the place you shop and the wattage. It is best to get a higher wattage then a lower one, if the bulb isnt strong enough to keep up temperatures you will find that its hard to make up for that temperature. It is easier to have a bulb that gets too warm that way you can suspend it from the cage taking it further away from teh area.

CHE bulbs save on electricity and have a lower draw so fire is less of a risk.

Use a light fixture that has a ceramic insolater (the part the bulb screws into) Otherwise the fire risk is greater.

You will also need a UVB producing light. Don't use the coil lights they have been linked to severe medical problems. Use the flourescent tube lights (These will run about $20 depending where you shop) Be sure it says "UVB" on it, regular fish tank bulbs will NOT work. Without UV lighting it is possible for your animal to get a disease called MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) It is fatal if not caught and treated early enough.

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Some symptoms of many many diseases include

Floating/swimming lopsided or unevenly
Fungus or Algea growth
Discoloration of skin or shell
Not eating
Not defecating
Bubbles OFTEN coming from their nose or mouth while swimming (occasionally its no big deal)
Open mouth breathing or gaping
Wheezing or clicking sound when breathing
Runny discharge from nose or mouth
Kinks, nobs, or hard bumps on the body (like legs and tail)
Soft shell (Babies will have a somewhat soft shell until they are older but it shouldnt be very soft)
Deformed Jaw or soft jaw bone.
Discoloring of the eyes
Swollen or closed eyes
Discharge from eyes
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There are many symptoms of a sick turtle but those are some common ones

If you think your turtle is sick dont hesitate to call a vet or contact somebody who may know the answer.


Good luck and do all the research you can.

http://redearslider.com
is one of the best turtle related care websites I have been to.


-Yexalen