Not necessarily! Sometimes Full Spectrum only refers to the color of the light and not the spectrum of waves which it emits. The light in the UVB wave length is non visible.
It reference to request above, for ways to simulate varying uva/uvb levels over the course of a day. There are dimming ballasts for available for fluorescent lights. So using something along the lines of a reptiglo 5 or reptiglo 8 or comparable bulb, and electronically dimming it in the evening and brightening it in the morning should give you simulated daylight variation.
Since this is the most intense topic on UVB, I guess I should ask--does water have similar characteristics as glass in block UVB? I have read on the forum that it does, but it seems wavelengths are affected by chemical composition and water is definitely different from glass. Anyone got any answers?
Hi turtlers,
Im new here, Im from australia and keep oz species Emydura and Chelodina's. This is an intresting topic, I use a reptiglo 8.0 uva/uvb above my tank at about 6 inches from waters surface. These are really designed for desert species reptiles but are supposed to have a greater depth of penetration thru water[at full strength] so i thought id try one when my 5.0 got weak. The only real difference ive noticed is that algae grows all over the substrate and glass alot more. Im not sure that growth rate is greatly affected by uva/uvb tho. My latest babys are now 8 months old, and around 8cm diameter, in the wild both these species would take up to 4 years to reach that size. I think that has to do with having to find food and also tempature. In captivity they are kept at 25c/77f and at night at about 18c/64f year round for the first year. However research has shown corrospondance between growth rates and temp in control trials. Growth rate is significantly slower at cooler temps, lower metabolism, less food, less activity, hence the reverse would have significant effect to faster growth. Though i feed mine only every 3 days, i feed a lrg range of highly nutritious foods. In the wild however, for a hatchling food is sccarce and limited variety too, since most of its time is spent hiding from predators. Since hatchling rarely bask, at least not australian species except Emydura for most of the firstyear, i dont see how uva/uvb would be a big factor.
Just my two cents worth anyway~cheers
Hey guys, Michael T asked for any stories on our experiences. I've got a couple conflicting ones:
I got a Red Belly hatchling years ago. NO Ca supplements, no UVB. Grew normal, quick and had a hard shell. Any explanations?
Jeff has had a different Red Belly hatchling for a year and a half. UVB (12-14 hours a day) from the start with CA supplements. Slow slow growth. She is less than 3 inches currently.
A Mississippi Map we adopted to Kara, named Charger, measured in at 1 & 3/8" on November 20, 2002, and was 3 & 5/8" on May 30th, 2003. Inconsistent UVB.
Jeff's Fla Chicken Turtle "The Colonel" [
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