Habitat - Indoor :: Turtle afraid of screen

[Flipps]

Hello ! I was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced something that I am recently experiencing ... My Flippies has been with me for a year and a half now and she has always been a good turtle swimming eating and basking . I few weeks ago my mom found her escaping her tank but luckily she did not fall (this happened twice) after the second time I was afraid this would happen if no one was home and so I bought her a screen . Before the top of the tank was open and the lamp was on a clamp , now she has a screen and since the screen is a "cover" I can't clamp the light so instead it's actually on the screen . Problem is , it has been a few days in which she won't bask my theory is she's afraid of the screen because I've seen her look at it in a frightening way and it makes me sad but I can't have her tip over and hurt herself any suggestions?! Do you think she'll eventually go on ?! Thank you

[Kansasslider]

Is the light still the same distance from the basking area? Turtles can take some time to adjust to changes.

[PridgNYC]

Depending on the screen, it can cut the light and UVB transmission by 50% or more. It is recommended that your screen size be no smaller than 1/2 inch (the length of each side of the square screen opening)

[Kansasslider]

I built a lid. Check it out.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34076

[ataraxiamb]

Kansasslider: Do you think eggcrate would work for a lid? I'm going to upgrade Bill to a 40 gallon (all I can afford for now) in a few months until I have money for his final tank. I have one of those covers from PetSmart right now. Would the canister filter stuff fit through eggcrate?

[Kansasslider]

I don't know anything about egg crates. You can buy the wire shelf pretty cheap! Look at Walmart for it.

[ataraxiamb]

I don't really have any tools...

Edit: What section of Walmart did you get the shelving from?

[magster]

I don't really have any tools...

Edit: What section of Walmart did you get the shelving from?

It should be in their housewares section, with all of the organization supplies.

We've had good luck for years using an old grill grate. It's round and used to attach to our tripod for cooking over fires. We had it over her basking spot when it was in the tank, and now it's over her above tank basking spot. It keeps her in and is plenty open enough to let the light/heat in.

[ataraxiamb]

I'm also concerned about keeping cats out... but also him in, because I don't have the DIY skills for an ATBA. Thanks for the suggestion about the grill grate. I guess it doesn't have to fit neatly... just has to cover and have room enough between the slits to accomodate the filter. I'll let you know how it goes. Waiting for Xmas money from Grandma to do the upgrade, so I have a while to figure it out.

[steve]

For the egg crate question... yes, its easy to cut through.

[ataraxiamb]

Thanks Steve. I'm thinking that may be my answer because it'll be easier to get it down to size than trying to trim metal.

[Kansasslider]

I Actually got the shelving at Menards just thought Walmart might be cheaper.Maybe you have a friend that could cut it for you. Christmas is a long time from now.