Turtle Tip

Marshall

Turtle Keeper + CPL(H)
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For all glass terrariums and composite tanks if flat bottomed (plastic/fiberglass/carbon-fiber):
A UV-B light which is required for the basking system is usually only beneficial to the platform area only but this tip will let you maximize the potential beyond that.
What you need: |UV-B Lamp | Wide angle lamp housing | mirror without a frame | quick set epoxy (clear & water-proof) | 2 sheets of Lexan that is a few inches larger than the mirror.|

Directions:
  • Drain and clean the bottom of the terrarium.
  • Install your UV-B lamp in the wide angle housing and place it in its normal position above basking platform(s).
  • Determine where the UV-B lamp shines on the bottom of the tank by turning it on but leaving the heat lamp off.
  • Sandwich the mirror between the two sheets of Lexan making sure it is centered and none of the mirrors edges are exposed.
  • Seal the two halves together using the epoxy and place a weight on the so they dry snugly together.
  • Once dry place the device in the area determined earlier to be the reflection point making sure the reflective side is facing upwards.
  • Replace any thing removed from tank and turn the UV-A lamps back on. Also be sure to not place anything on the mirror device as this defeats its purpose.
Now you will have a 80 to 90% re-cycling of the UV-B waves coming upwards through the water which will help kill bacteria that forms on the underside of the platforms and also allow the absorption of vitamin D through your turtles plastron and legs improving health especially in he scutes and claws. Although it sounds like a small change it will have a large impact on your turtles health and will reduce the amount of waste forming in the tank. For questions about this project, the way it works or just general questions please remember to give as much info as possible so I can best answer your question.
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