Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 5:18 pm
How big is their tank and how much water do you have in it? I tried using sloping gravel for a basking area long ago, and I know it doesn't work well. The gravel will often shift as your turtles try to climb it, and it can be very difficult to keep it high enough out of the water to provide a dry area for your turtles bask on. It would be better to change it (the gravel will also contribute to odors and will make it harder to clean). The cave you mentioned they have--can the top double as a basking area (is it big enough for both of them to be on confortably?)? If so, it would be better to use that than the gravel. If not, you could use something like corkbark or buy or make your own, preferably with the area underneath it left open for swimming space.
They most likely won't be interested in vegetables when they're young. But keep trying, especially leafy greens like dandelions, red, romaine and green leaf lettuce (no iceberg). Young ones will also often nibble on anachris, an aquatic plant. For the core of a balanced diet, try giving them a pellet formulated for young turtles like Reptomin Baby.
By heat light, do you mean basking light or are you trying to keep them warm with a light alone? During the day, they need both a basking light for heat and a flourescent UVB light. They should be able to sleep in the dark at night, though. A submersible water heater would maintain a constant water temp (about 78F since they're small).
"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." -Antoine de Saint Exupery-