Mouth Rot?

[StudentoReptile]

Get some of that turtle eye rinse from Exo Terra. It actually works fairly well.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Get some of that turtle eye rinse from Exo Terra. It actually works fairly well.

Oh, never heard of that. I'll definitely have to get some. I'll have to order it online though, so it won't be here for a few days. =/

~Maggot

[EmbraceCalamity]

Would either of these work?

HerpSupplies.com - Turtle Eye Drops - Nature Zone - Turtle Eye Drops - Nature Zone* Turtle Eye Drops*is a gentle ophthal...
HerpSupplies.com - Turtle Eye Drops - ZooMed - Turtle Eye Drops - ZooMed* Opens and cleans inflamed turtle eyes. * Use a...

Just because I get a discount on my next order, and they don't have the Exo Terra ones. But if these don't work just as well, I'll find the Exo Terra ones elsewhere.

EDIT: HerpSupplies.com - ReptiSun 10.0 Mini - ZooMed - ReptiSun 10.0 Mini / 13 Watt - ZooMedReptiSun® 10.0 Mini is Perfect f...
That says it gives off UVA and UVB. I'm currently using a low watt heat bulb right now (50, I think?) and the basking temps are good. 1) Can I use this instead? 2) If I can, will this be strong enough?

~Maggot

[StudentoReptile]

Zoo Med is a good brand. I woudl try those.
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In that second link, is a compact flourescent bulb. That is one of the ones I would suggest not using. Again, there has been some cases of those types of bulbs causing blindness in some herps. Aquatic turtles are one group. It is not entirely conclusive what the issue is: whether it was just a batch of lemons, poor design, a particular brand, keeper error in mounting the lights incorrectly (they should be mounted horizontally, NOT straight down in a dome fixture).

But in the same token, no one has had issues using the old school tube flourescent bulbs which is why I and many others stick to those.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Zoo Med is a good brand. I woudl try those.
-----------
In that second link, is a compact flourescent bulb. That is one of the ones I would suggest not using. Again, there has been some cases of those types of bulbs causing blindness in some herps. Aquatic turtles are one group. It is not entirely conclusive what the issue is: whether it was just a batch of lemons, poor design, a particular brand, keeper error in mounting the lights incorrectly (they should be mounted horizontally, NOT straight down in a dome fixture).

But in the same token, no one has had issues using the old school tube flourescent bulbs which is why I and many others stick to those.

I need to buy a thingywhosit for it, so which should I get?
HerpSupplies.com - Lighting - Fixtures - Fluorescent - Light Fixtures that hold Fluorescent(tube)Bulbs. Since Fluorescent bulbs do not produce sufficient heat, these fixtures are primarily used for UVB/UVA requirements. The various "T" sizes represen
Or could I get them cheaper at WalMart or something?

And which bulb would you recommend?
HerpSupplies.com - Lighting - Bulbs - Fluorescent Bulbs - The most important feature of a Fluorescent bulb for reptiles is the ability to emit sufficient UVB light, a component of Sunlight. For Tropical Reptiles , 5.0 bulbs are adequate. For Desert R

Sorry for asking you all these questions, but I want to make sure that I do everything right so these guys have the best chance at becoming healthy again. And I really appreciate your help.

~Maggot

[StudentoReptile]

You should be able to get a flourescent fixture at walmart, Lowes, Home Depot. The bulb could be gotten online.

I would suggest a 5.0 Reptisun (Zoo Med brand) tube flourescent (not compact florescent). They come in the following standard sizes: 18", 24", 36" and 48." Whichever size would go across that tub of yours, get that and then go out and find a fixture to fit it.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

You should be able to get a flourescent fixture at walmart, Lowes, Home Depot. The bulb could be gotten online.

I would suggest a 5.0 Reptisun (Zoo Med brand) tube flourescent (not compact florescent). They come in the following standard sizes: 18", 24", 36" and 48." Whichever size would go across that tub of yours, get that and then go out and find a fixture to fit it.

Okay, I think final question: How far away from them does it have to be so I don't have to worry about it burning them? Or does it not emit much heat? 'Cause it's a shallow tub, so it would only be maybe 4" from them if I set it right on top. Otherwise I have no clue how I'd mount it up higher. =/

~Maggot

[StudentoReptile]

The florescent light can be anywhere from 6-12" anyway. Not a real danger there, those tube bulbs dont emit hardly any heat.

The basking bulb you will need a thermometer or temp gun (something every reptile keeper should have ) to determine how far to position it. I cannot answer that for you.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

The florescent light can be anywhere from 6-12" anyway. Not a real danger there, those tube bulbs dont emit hardly any heat.

The basking bulb you will need a thermometer or temp gun (something every reptile keeper should have ) to determine how far to position it. I cannot answer that for you.

Basking bulb is already set up and monitored with a digital thermometer. I'm just not sure what to do with the fluorescent bulb. I have no idea how I'm gonna mount it above the tub. =/

~Maggot

[StudentoReptile]

You could hang it from the ceiling. You could just lay it across the tub.

[EmbraceCalamity]

It'll only be 5" away from them if I set it across the tub. =/

~Maggot

[StudentoReptile]

That should be okay.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

That should be okay.

It won't be too bright? I don't want to hurt their eyes.

As an update, the one with the missing lower jaw is doing fairly well and is somewhat active. The other one, upon closer inspection, is missing a toe and part of its tail (which definitely isn't a birth defect, as I can see it's attempting to heal). It just opened its eyes today finally, and the eye drops should be here tomorrow or the day after. Still, it's more active than before, when I often couldn't tell if it was dead or not. Neither seems very interested in eating, but I've been taking little bits of the food I got with them, softening them, and just setting them in their mouths. I found a mini filter, so I'll order that tonight. Tomorrow I'll go to Lowe's and see if I can find a hood for the light.

~Maggot

[StudentoReptile]

Just to confirm: would the light be 5" from the absolute bottom of the tub, or 5" from the highest point the turtles could access in the tub?

If it is the former, then yeah, that would be too bright! If the latter, then I think it would be fine. You could get a screen top and just rest it on top of the tub and put the light strip on that to riase it a little.

Good that they're getting active. Give them time. What's the basking temps?

[EmbraceCalamity]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Just to confirm: would the light be 5" from the absolute bottom of the tub, or 5" from the highest point the turtles could access in the tub?

If it is the former, then yeah, that would be too bright! If the latter, then I think it would be fine. You could get a screen top and just rest it on top of the tub and put the light strip on that to riase it a little.

Good that they're getting active. Give them time. What's the basking temps?

From the highest point. That's a good idea though. I can put something on the sides of the tub to raise the light up higher. Didn't even occur to me.

Well I read basking temps should be high 80's to low 90's, so they stay in that range - usually a little warmer in the afternoon (about 90) and cooler in the morning and evening (86-87). They spend a decent amount of time basking an inch or two from the hottest spot, so they appear to be content with the temps.

~Maggot