So, What exactly is needed for Basking?

In order for Red ear sliders to bask, They need a UVB bulb, as well as a heat bulb.

The UVB bulb should be rated for at least 5.o%. Stay away from the Terrarium bulbs rated for 2.o UVB, They do not produce enough UVB for turtles needs. In general you want a UVB bulb rated for between 5.0-10.0%. With a 5% you would want the bulb closer to the turtles basking area, now with the 10% you would want to move it a little farther away because the rays can be to intense and hurt the turtles eyes. Making the eyes puffy and reddish.

If your RES is showing signs of red, puffy eyes, I would suggest moving the UVB basking lamp farther away from the turtle and see if that helps.

Now, lets address the heat part of it. This can and is most frequently done with a common household bulb(Incandescent). I am currently using a 60 watt, however some people use 45watt, 75 watt, 100 watt, whatever. As long as what ever bulb you use gets the basking area about 10 degrees warmer than your water temperature. This gradient in temperature is large enough that the turtles will want to bask to digest food and warm up. But not so large that your turtle will get a possible temperature shock from the huge temp drop when they enter the water.

Another thing to keep in mind would be that UVB rays cannot penetrate through glass or plexi. and screen with 1/8" or less holes will limit The UVB by 30%.

and MVB bulbs...well thats a whole nother story. Maybe some other blog, some other time.

Turtle Docks

I have what is called a turtle landing. It is a little larger than the Zoomed docks or other similar docks. It fits in the entire corner of a 10 gallon tank, but works perfectly for larger tanks. I currently have it in use in a 30 gallon. Squirt loves to bask on it.

I have read reviews of it where people have said that their 6Inch and up turtles sink it and pull the suction cups around, making it unstable. Squirt is only 3 inches though and he is just fine with it and doesn't make it move when crawling up onto it. 

I have heard many good and bad things about the Zoomed turtle docks, however I have not tried them, So I cannot comment on them. I have heard many more good things than bad though however. and they come in different sizes to acommodate bigger turtles. 

So I figure that when Squirt gets larger and starts to sink his turtle landing, I will just go buy a large size Zoomed. 

Basking Temperature

Most people say that they keep they're turtles basking temp at around 85F or so. 

I actually have squirts at around 95F. He does self-regulate, and soon as he feels to warm, moves out of the direct beam, Or moves to half in, half out of the water. 

For his basking bulb, it is just a standard household 60 Watt incandescent bulb. I have it in a desk lamp set-up to lean over onto the screen top. You can see this in previous photos of tank set-ups. 

Anyways, I would recommend that you keep the turtles basking temp in the normal range, unless you already have the temp higher and your turtle self regulates. Otherwise your turt might bake!