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How long after a move should things get back to normal?

PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2017 2:43 am
by BullDog
I recently moved house, turtles in tow. That involved the turtles being out of the tank for a day. They got back in the water (no filter) that evening, and I got the filters up the next day. The basking areas were properly set up with lights the day after. So far, I haven't seen either basking (I may have to tweek their lights so it's warmer). Frankie seems to be eating as normal, but Raph has eaten little or nothing yet. So, 4 days since the move, my question is when should I start worrying about Ralph not eating?

Some vital stats:
Frankie, age: ~10-15+ years, 90g tank, water temp, a little warm (hot weather here) - 80F, Basking temp, a bit low when I checked it, ~83F
Raph, age 23, 75g tank, water temp 77F, basking ~83F
Foods I've offered so far are ZooMed pellets and baby lettuce (Freshly harvested, yum!)

Other possible pertinent info: I had to switch the output hoses for Raph's and Frankie's filters. I'm usually pretty paranoid about cross contamination, but because of the new configuration, it had to be done. I needed a longer one to reach Frankie's tank, and Raph's was long enough. The hoses were rinsed out with clear water, and the nozzle scrubbed, but they weren't disinfected.
I also changed up a couple of their decorations. Removed one from Frankie's, scrubbed & disinfected it and put it in Ralph's, and added a new rock to Frankie's.

Behaviour wise, they're both getting back to normal-ish. Frankie is always pretty mellow. Raph is still curious, will follow me around the tank and stare at me, and he's flirting with his rock, but he's a lot more skittish since the move, and isn't begging (he usually is a pretty vigorous beggar).

I'm keeping a close eye on them, of course. But if anyone else has experience with a big move for the turtles, can you let me know how long it took for things to get back to normal for yours?

Re: How long after a move should things get back to normal?

PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2017 9:40 am
by litefoot
Will the temperatures at the new home be the norm or just a heat wave? Check a weather almanac. Hope you have the basking area tweaked to entice them. After Hurricane Katrina I only found my Mickey adult male RES little older than Raph. The setup I made was best I could do under the conditions at the time. He was rattled not eating and still very scared even of me. We had been togehter all his life. We did not get power until 21 days later and our fall/winter was coming , just trying to keep him alive. Not even live food nothing... I was finally able to talk to Doctor Thomas from the nature center I volunteered at , they lost 80% of our animals. He told me "again" that most creatures are animals of habit to find a picture of old habitat and set it up that way will help. NO pictures , the storm took all , memory was best I could do. Mickey had a better memory , had some plants tied to a rock I thought was in correct place and he moved them were they where supposed to be. Oh yeah , that's the right place ! Thanks to Mickey ! Frankie may be more to go along with things than Raph. Raph more creature of habit ! Even my outlet hose now , due to not having material I needed was in a different place. Tight against wall of stock tank. I use to have it about 8" away from the wall and Mickey loved to wedge himself on it and stick his head in the flow. He broke it , what a mess , not that it mattered with the storm damage. Tank after 3 weeks started to look more what he had and took some worms , and all this time I tried everything , even what ever treats I could find ! Something in !!! Got another house , only thing had to really move was the stock tank , when I found it was only five houses away , starting over at 50. Mickey was eating now but took a month for us to get back to normal ( for Mickey) that is the new normal for now. Took my family four years to have some kind of normal and Mickey still is not 100% back to being himself but is doing much better. Knew how it affected me , just think how it affected Mickey. Never found any others I could only hope some found new homes. Fast forward few more years another turtle , after some time Mickey killed Chopsly and all looked Ok , atleast I thought , my fault! Mickey always was a good tank mate , had three others with him most of the time. Mickey was re-homed at the Nature Center hoping that would help him as he got older. I don't think he ever recovered from the storm mentally ! Doctor Thomas retired but another Herp let me pick a 4" male that they had too many of for Mickey and now it's Piggley and me . Due to age now it will only be one turtle now a days , "Piggley" and he's great! I still hope the best for Mickey , will never forget what we had. Raph will come around just give it a little more time.

Re: How long after a move should things get back to normal?

PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2017 3:24 pm
by steve
I also think it depends on the personality. I would up the temps and try some treats for now, but it shouldn't take long.

Re: How long after a move should things get back to normal?

PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2017 9:48 pm
by BullDog
Wow! Thanks for sharing your story litefoot! Sounds like it was a big ordeal for everyone! I tried to set up the tank the same way too - though I was wondering if the new decoration was upsetting him. I could remove it. I did remove some pictures that were on the back of his tank, since they were all tired looking.
Those are going to be normal summer temperatures I think, though it doesn't help that right now the AC isn't working :evil:

Today I checked the temp at "turtle height", and it was about 86. I think that's close to what was before. I'm a little suprised Frankie hasn't been basking yet. When I first got her, I had just a "quick and dirty" ramp for her to get partially out of the water, and she was on that right away!
But then, with the ater temps warmer, she probably doesn't feel the need to bask :P

Re: How long after a move should things get back to normal?

PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2017 11:05 pm
by theartbook35
I've moved my turtles a couple of times, so to answer your question, I'll use mine as examples. Sadie, the oldest, refused to bask for a few days after moving. No matter how quiet and comfortable we made everything, Sadie still underwent a bit of stress. Hurricane on the hand, went right back to basking immediately. Typhoon needed day to chill and then she was basking again. I think it's their personalities, but also their ages. Sadie is 20 years old so she's a tad grumpy sometimes.

Re: How long after a move should things get back to normal?

PostPosted: Sun May 28, 2017 11:51 pm
by litefoot
Very true on not feeling the need. Warmer basking temps also help's with eating and digestion.
They will acclimate to the new "water" temps in that climate zone. Basking temps still need to be 10* warmer to entice them to bask. That water at 80* and basking at 83* needs basking area around 90* even a little higher. That's Frankie's tank and why she's not basking. If 90* gets to hot she will take a dip. In time she will love it. I have an extremely large basking area temps vary on it , 78* - 93* and Piggley uses all areas ! I also have just a dry dock at room temp if he chooses that and does now and then. For me I hate a heater in winter so I have to lower my heat bulb instead of buying a larger winter bulb for Piggley. I have my summer and winter heights on lighting for temp control. You may have to adjust what you done at old house for the new home. You have been doing this a long time , Frankie and Raph thank you for a great home. They are now telling you something. Just a lot going on with the move for you and them , all will adjust in time and be back to normal soon.
That old ramp partially in water and was fast on it , I found any turtle that has it's feet in the water feel's much safer !
As for Raph , give treats , fruits , live food ...for now , just a little more time and will be good.
Move may of been a little harder for them , your children , they know you have been a great parent and will be back doing there turtle things soon.

Re: How long after a move should things get back to normal?

PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2017 1:23 am
by BullDog
Thanks for the responses guys :)
Good news, Ralph had a few pellets tonight, and it looks like he's been snacking on the "choice" pieces of lettuce that was left over from yesterday. So that made me feel better!
Hopefully, the AC will be working sometime this week, and that'll be a lot better for me and the turtles! *lol*