Habitat - Indoor :: My turtles won't bask?

[N4784N R4613]

First off hi. I'm new here and to turtles. I recently set up my old fish tank for turtles and your website has been very helpful. I went to a pet store and bought two baby RES's(ones one inch and one is about a half an inch longer).

Anyway I have that turtle dock with a heat lamp on it and they have not been up there since I got them yesterday. Is this anything to worry about?

Thanks in advance,

Nathan Radle.

[jenaero]

Check the water and basking temp. Water should be about 78F and basking temp needs to be at least 10 degrees higher. If the temps are right, just give them time to get used to their new home. Lots of turts won't bask if there's anyone in the same room.

[sonyj]

Usually it takes a turtle a little while to feel comfortable in a new habitat considering everything is correctly set-up. Until then they may not bask or eat well. Give them a few days to adjust.

What is the water temperature? What is the basking temp? Make sure these are correct - water should be 78F with the basking area at least ten degrees higher or around 88-90F. If the basking and water temps are too close together they will not be enticed to bask. Also, if the basking area is too high, it will not be good for them.

[N4784N R4613]

The water heater is set at 78 degrees F (like you said in the sticky). I think the bulb was too hot. I pulled the thermometer out, and the hottest spot on the dock was at 125 degrees F. I can't get the lamp farther away so I put a less powerful bulb in and now its still at 105 to 110 degrees F. Is this still to hot and if so what do you recommend?

[missibsu]

Again, a less powerfull bulb. If you are positive that it can't be moved further away, that would be your only option.

Don't get discouraged...it took me a couple of weeks to find what really worked. Then when I upgraded, it took me a bit longer. Now I don't have to mess with it...although I still check it from time to time to be sure.

[sonyj]

I wouldn't go over 90 degrees for a hatchling. It would be very easy for them to get knocked out by the heat at those temps you listed. If they do and then can not move off the dock, it would kill them.

Please continue lowering the wattage of bulb until you find the correct temp.

[N4784N R4613]

OK, are normal household bulbs ok for heat?

[sonyj]

Yes you can use a normal household bulb for heat and just experiement with the wattage to see which would provide enough heat.

You also need a UVB above the basking area as well that emits 7-10% UVB rays. UVB bulbs do not emit heat which is why you need the heat bulb to entice them to bask. Both of these bulbs are very important for their health.

[N4784N R4613]

I do have a UV bulb it is a fluorescent one that runs the length of the tank accept where the heating lamp is, and gives off 30% UVA and 5% UVB. It only covers 1/4 of the basking area. Is that ok?

[missibsu]

be sure to focus your heat where the UVB light is then, otherwise your turts will bask where the heat is and not under the UVB.

[N4784N R4613]

OK, so they have to bask in UVB?

[sonyj]

Yes, they should bask directly in under the UVB bulb. There should be nothing between the bulb and them such as glass, plastic, screen with holes smaller than 1/2" because they will filter out the majority of rays. The water also filters out rays so unless they are basking directly under it, it is not doing them any good.

[N4784N R4613]

Great. Well Thanks a ton for all your time and help, but it looks like i'm not going to be able to get a good habitat unless I go and dish out another $200.

[missibsu]

Keeping turtles is an expensive hobby. There are a lot of start up costs, but there are also expensive upgrade costs. I'm glad that you did your research first, and maybe in the future it will be an option for you!

[sonyj]

Keeping turtles is an expensive hobby. There are a lot of start up costs, but there are also expensive upgrade costs. I'm glad that you did your research first, and maybe in the future it will be an option for you!

Missi, if you notice at the top post, he states that he has already purchased his RES. Two of them.

What is their set up like now? Take a look through the photo gallery to see what other keepers habitats look like. If you need any more help just ask, we'll be glad to answer any questions you have.