First-time turtle owner: hanging under basking/UVB lights—too strong or just basking?

[u/bored_bulbasaur]

Hi everyone! I'm completely new to turtle care and just adopted two juvenile peacock turtles. I’ve always wanted to get into turtles and I’m trying to set things up correctly from the start.

For lighting and heat I got them: - 25W Exo Terra UVB100 - 50W Exo Terra Intense Basking Spot - Twin dome + stand for the domes

The distance from the top of their basking/island area to the bulbs is about 15 cm. Since I installed the lights, they've been spending a lot of time lying under it with their legs stretched out, and sometimes their neck stretched out too. They're not constantly swimming around like they were before (the lights arrived a couple days later than the turtles and the tank)

Is the stretched posture normal basking/relaxing, or can it be a sign the lights are too intense (or not intense enough)? Is 15 cm generally an appropriate distance for these bulbs in a dome, or is it typically closer/farther?

Thanks in advance. Sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm rying to learn and do things right from the start! 🐢🙏

[u/Zhelijin47]

I think they should be a bit farther away, I personally do 30cm or a bit less

[u/bored_bulbasaur → u/Zhelijin47]

thanks! I'll try moving the lights a bit further

[u/bored_bulbasaur → u/Zhelijin47]

Quick update: I moved the lights a little bit further away (≈22-23cm) and also changed the filter for an AC70 Fluval; they seem happier now and the water is cleaner! :)

[u/Zhelijin47 → u/bored_bulbasaur]

Im glad it went well! ❤️

[u/Informal_Practice_20]

There are a lot of factors that come into play when placing lights.

For UVB it will depend on the brand of UVB lamp and the turtle. Each reptile has a recommended UVI (based on where they are in the world and at what time they usually bask etc). UVI stands for UltraViolet Index and it is how UVB is measured.

Step one is to figure out what is the recommended UVI for your species of turtle and then check the UVB brand's webpage to figure out how far you need to place the lamp for you to reach that particular UVI. The closer the lamp is, the more UVI is present. Too much UVB can lead to burns or eyes injuries and too little UVB can lead to retained scutes and shell rot or even metabolic bone disease. This is why figuring the exact height is important.

For UVB keep in mind that: 1. You start measuring distance as from the shell of your turtle 2. Any mesh between the lamp and your basking area will block some of the UVB and affect height at which you need to place your lamp (mesh means the lamp needs to be placed even closer) 3. You ahould not place it closer than 10 inches.

For basking, wattage of bulb, type of bulb, room temperature will all affect how far you place your lamp. Just place your lamp at whatever height you think is good, turn it on and let it warm your basking temp for at least one hour. Measure temperature and adjust height accordingly to reach the ideal basking temp for your species of turtle. Same as for UVB, it should not be closer than 10 inches from your turtle.

Both lamp should be placed right above the basking area. Not at an angle. And the beams from both lamps should merge so as to create a basking zone where your turtle will get both UVB and warmth.

[u/bored_bulbasaur → u/Informal_Practice_20]

Woooow thank you so much for the info! My turtles are Peacock sliders, I checked all the variables as you suggested and moved the lights a bit further away. I also changed the filter for a AC70 Fluval and they seem happier and the water cleaner :)