This goes with the previous post...verilux 48" tubes

[Turtle_Crazy]

i have just adopted two RES on thursday http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=51713 , they are in a preformed 125 gallon pond, water temp is at 83 degrees F, the basking slates are comfy: i can put my hand on it for 30 seconds and its not burning at all, and there is a shady spot at the other end of the pond that is at room temp with another platform for the turtles to get out of the water. iam using a 75 watt incandescent heat lamp two verilux 48' tubes mounted 17" away from my turtles. both are on for about 12 hours per day. my question is, is this adaquate? i read the post about plant lights and unlike the guy in it, iam ready to correct anything that needs be, putting it closer (tho iam worried about splashing), or going out to buy something else. i wont have the cash to take them to the vet for two weeks until my paycheck, so i am asking you guys for suggestions/opinions. the smaller guy, Soup is still really active and swimming and basking i don't know if the older RES, Speedy is just depressed and missing her old owners, but today all she did was lay about the bottom with her head drooping, and only came up once to bask.
is it my lighting? or am i freaking a bit too much, these are my first herps. if weather permits, should i take them out to get some sun? and if so for how long is it okay to have them out of the water? also, i know turtles shed alot but, how much is too much? if its a fungus i have "herpcare" skin and shell treatment spray. also my little guy came to me pretty beat up , his tail got nipped and there is a crusty scab on it, no pus or leakge tho, so what can i do to treat it? i got bactine, alcohol, sterile water, poly sporin, rubber gloves and sterile gauze.

Thanks all for reading and helping. :( *worried a bit*

[Turtle_Crazy]

i got a bit off topic there:2yellow:

i just really need to know if these verilux tubes are close enough or need to be supplemented with reptile tubes. if you can answer my oher questions that great. :)

Thanks

[Turtle_Crazy]

puleeze someone post a reply! *begs*

[marisa]

The fact it even came up once to bask is good news. Turtles don't like change, but they adapt. I would just keep a close eye. As long as it keeps basking and eating, everything is fine.

Do not take them out in the sun to bask without providing a swimming area, this is essential. But if you can set up a swimming area with a basking spot outside, this is GREAT! Here is a photo of Mikey my 16 year old RES enjoying his summer home:

<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/Reptiles/mikey/mikeysun.jpg">
<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/Reptiles/mikey/pond.jpg">

As for wounds, etc I would bath your turtle once a week in a betadine (available at a drugstore) or aquarium salt (available anywhere fish supplies are sold) bath. Just a rubbermaid with some water and either betadine or salt will help. Just a quick dip once a week can help cure most problems like that.

As for the tubes, I have no experience with those so I cannot comment.

Marisa

[marisa]

Also, if you haven't been to this website, go there! It's a good resource for everything RES.

http://www.resoasis.com/

Marisa

[Turtle_Crazy]

wow, thanks Marisa! *hugs*

im so glad you posted, now im not worried anymore :)

im off to buy the bentadine.........

also i love your Res, Mikey! he looks quite old.

what exactly is Mikey's pool? is it a kiddie pool or sandbox? how much was it? looks great!

Nicole

[marisa]

Yeah it's a kiddie pool we found at a garage sale! It cost 20 bucks, but you can buy similar ones for less than 100.00 brand new...probably less than 50.00....

Unfortuantly it's only about 12 inches deep. I would prefer him to have about two feet deep of water but it is just a summer home. In the winter he lives in a stock tank. The pool is also quite heavy plastic, and has lasted three years now outside, even WITH buying it used.

Thanks for "loving" Mikey! :D We adopted him about three years ago or so, and he had lived in a TEN GALLON tank for 13 years!!! When he moved in, it was his first time getting uv, or even a basking spot as he was never able to fully get out of the water. Here are a couple more pics, Mikey is about 7 inches long (his shell) and has LOTS of attitude! I'd love to see some pics of your RES if you can get some uploaded.

<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/Reptiles/mikey/mikeysummer4.jpg">
<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/Reptiles/mikey/mikeymad.jpg">

Just make sure both are eating, and basking. Those are two signs of healthy RES! Good luck!

Marisa

[Turtle_Crazy]

thanks for the pics!

my pond is about 14-15 inches deep and about 7 inches of space to gaurd the turts from escaping, but for how long i do not know, so we have turtle prooofed the area. im looking at this lttle turtloe shaped kiddie pool thats alot like that one, looks so cute im hoping to find it here in calgary! :P

im buying the reptisuns afterall, verilux is none to popular with you experienced keepers;)
both Speedy and Soup are ating like thers no tommorrow, i think i may have new baby syndrome, you know, freaking out and stuff:P

Thanks alot,
Nicole

[Turtle_Crazy]

marisa,

this is the lil' tykes turtle sandbox/pool i want, and i just found it for sale used for 10 bucks!!!!
http://www.photodump.com/direct/nicole_rrabbit/littletykesturtlesandbox.jpg

im hoping its deep enough.

Nicole