Not always. If your water is already in the mid 70's due to the ambient air temperature, then you don't need one. Some people still use one, but red-eared sliders tolerate temperatures in that range in the wild. Part of the reason they bask is to heat up anyway.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

how does this set up look?

55 gallon tank 150$

zoomed basking platform 35$

lamp and bulb(100 watt) 30$

the only thing i'm having trouble with is the filter, they're just so many of them I have no idea how to chose one

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Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.

get a good canister filter. i'd head over to a fish specialty store and see what they have.

Can't do a 75 gallon tank?

Also, check these out. They might be cheaper than you thing, and they will freestand as long as they aren't 100% full.
Garden water pond supplies water pre molded water garden ponds

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

What kind of light are you planning on getting? The one I got, and the one most recommended is a self ballasted mercury light because it gives off heat, UVA, and UVB. Mega-Ray SB 100 watt Self-Ballasted Flood UVB Lamp - ReptileUV Try this site; he makes his own bulbs, which are really good. It's who most people on here use. This just includes the bulb and not the lamp. This aspect is very important.

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My dream is that our love for people
and our love for animals
will one day become intertwined

aren't uva and uvb the same thing? if not what's the difference?

couldn't I just buy one of those from lowes for half the price?

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Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.

Read this exscript I found from a web site.

What Is the Difference Between UVA and UVB?

Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays--UVA rays and UVB rays. The UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays (which are blocked by window glass) and are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. UVA rays (which pass through window glass) penetrate deeper into the base layer of the skin. They also contribute to skin burning and skin cancer. Both UVA and UVB rays can suppress the immune system which helps to protect you against the development and spread of skin cancer. Since PABA, PABA esters, and cinnamates only protect against UVB light, check for products called "broad-spectrum" sunscreens that also screen UVA rays, like benzophenones, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and Parsol 1789 (butyl methoydibenzoylmethane, also called avobenzone).

P.S. I don't think Lowes, or anything like that, would carry this special type of bulb. If they do though and you find it on there website post the link to the exact page because I would love to be able to get one cheaper. Make 100% sure though that it is a SELF BALASTED mercury bulb.

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My dream is that our love for people
and our love for animals
will one day become intertwined

no, and no

many critters need UVB to properly digest and process food. RES are one of those, so are iguanas, chinese water dragons and Bearded Dragons.

Typically animals that are nocturnal, like tree frogs, don't need UVB.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

so you don't need a fancy pants uva bulb then. because a regular 100 watt bulb that produces uvb is only 10 bucks compared to one that is uva and costs 30+

and maddog I do believe that they wouldn't have that exact same type of bulb. i will look though

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Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.

no, you have that backward. The fancy pants bulbs are the ones that make UVB. Like Reptile UV. Regular flood lamps do not produce UVB, only UVA.

You NEED a UVB bulb. Those turtles will die without them.

You WILL NOT find them in lowes or home depot. "full spectrum" light bulbs in a pet store do not produce UVB. They must SAY the produce UVB.

UVB bulbs are expensive. Its part of the cost of owning many reptiles.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

oooohhhhhh I seeeee

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Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.