Growing spectrum....Mata does not bask. No need for UV
No doubt.....My reading are fine now. I will pair down or move fish around as needed. Eventually the 120 will be turtle only......maybe 10 years from now
My custom Mata Mata and South American Blackwater Tank
- Thread starter Chefken
- Start date
Oh dear, even non basking turtles need uvb, otherwise the turtle doesn't metabolize correctly, and you end up with what I refer to as "small shell syndrome" as the head and legs grow (mostly wider) but the shell cannot grow well, this is well documented.
Eventually the turtle slowly dies
Not correct for Mata Mata. Show me a good source that specifies that and I will show you 4 that say you dont....
Reptile magazine on care of mata matas, do you wish to get into a source war?
There is a reason that there are no resident permanent turtle populations in deep caves, but other herps survive there such as various snakes,frogs,salamanders and even a few cave populations of Nile crocodiles, the reason is these species don't need uv light, but all cheneleons do, this includes all chelydra,softshells including Fly River turtles, and all tortoises
The places Mata live are deep shade. They avoid bright light. They only leave the water to lay eggs. The source material is everywhere including this site and MOST states no UV needed. The only info sites that say they require it are reprinting the care for all turtles almost verbatin. i guess we shall see. I will keep posting size updates every three months. Doubled in size the first three.
and actually yes....LED litghts produce UV. Enough to damage art and your eyes if you stare too long.
Guess appearance!! My Vampire Pleco actually appeared out of the caves last night!! First good siting in 5 or 6 weeks!! Looks healthy and about 5" long. Wish he would hang out during the day. This was a moon light shot. No justice to its colors.
The choicest caves are in perfect viewing.....It choses others. 10-15 caves in the tank. A maze.
