Habitat - Outdoor :: Outdoor enclosure help!

[TMNTmommie]

I have 4 baby RES and I have them in a rubbermaid container and they love it. I don't have a heater or anything since I live in Texas and they get natural sunlight so do I need to put in a light? I'm moving and when I do I will build them a nice "pond". Am I okay?

[Raphulk]

if you keep them outside 24/7 then no, they dont need any other light fixtures.

what else is better than sunlight itself?!
i wish i had that option.

[untsmurf]

Where do you have the tub where it is able to get direct sunlight? Generally keeping a tank in front of a window is not advised, it can alter the temperatures drastically and can promote unhealthy algae bloom.

If you have them outside, bring them in immediately. It's been way too hot out for them to be outside.

The lights are used for basking which they do outside of the water. You should have some sort of dock set up where all the turtles can be out of the water completely all at the same time. This should be where the lights are pointed at so when then turtles come out, they can be in an area that is about 10 degrees warmer than the water (which should be between around 78*).

[mzkitty23]

I live in Texas too. It's not clear if your Rubbermaid is inside or outside. You need thermometers to see what your temps are in the water and out to know if you need a light or heat lamp or underwater heater of if their temps are good where they are. Mine is inside and I don't have to use the underwater heater right now because of the heat here in Texas, but I will HAVE to use it when it cools down. You have to keep a constant eye on the temp guages. If they are outside, I hope they have shade! I know where I live it was 104 today! Give us more specifics and we can help ya....

[TMNTmommie]

They are outside with lots of shade during the day. I have been watching closely for signs of hyperthermia but have not seen anything in these past 6 months.

[untsmurf]

We've had 11 straight days of triple digit weather. Do you have a thermometer in your tank? There's no way the water doesn't get higher than 80*. I think it's currently too hot for them to be outside, but that's just my opinion.

[TMNTmommie]

You're right! It's way too hot! OMG I feel like a total [---] to have left them out there! What do I do? I don't have a lamp or anything for them! I don't have the money! HELP!

[SpotsMama]

My Spot has been outside in his pond (we're in the Dallas area). I've been monitoring the temps pretty closely during this heat wave. The water temp has measured between 80.5 degrees fahrenheit and 81.5 and the water feels cool to my touch, even when air temp is 107.

HOWEVER, a few years back when I put Spot out in plastic wading pool, the temps would get really hot - dangerous for Spot and I'd have to bring him in.

The difference is that the kiddie pool was shallow (around 10 inches deep), sunnier (the trees have grown since then) and the whole thing was above ground. Now, the pool is deeper (2 1/2 feet), the pond walls are very thick, it's more than half shaded by trees (and in addition, there's a layer of duck weed that shades the water) and half the water is below ground level and thus insulated.

I think the average temp around here has been quite a bit over 81 degrees but it still cools to about 80 at night. I think Spot's pond stays cooler than the average air temp due to evaporation. Anyway, I'm comfortable with him being out there (he acts like he's feeling good) but I certainly wouldn't have if we didn't have the nice pond for him.

[TMNTmommie]

Yeah... I don't have a pond for them... if they were in a container that was halfway underground that wouldn't be so bad.. but they're not so I have moved them inside... but I still don't know what to do about the lamps... (or my lack thereof)..

[SpotsMama]

i think inside is best considering. On the lamps, they can go for a few weeks without the UVB especially if you'll take them out periodically to get some sun. They will, however, need something for heat to entice them to bask. A heat setup isn't very expensive - you can do it with an inexpensive clamp light fixture from someplace like Home Depot and a plain incandescent household light bulb. Be sure there's a water heater if the area they'll be in is air conditioned and that they aren't sitting in any drafts.

[TMNTmommie]

okay thanks. I take them out to play in the grass everyday.. so they should be okay there... thanks so much!

[TMNTmommie]

I'm sleeping with them in the guest room bathroom... I think they are doing okay... but I'm overprotective.. what can I say. Haha

[mat012]

How long do you have before you move? As long as they get sunlight your tub will work well. There was a woman on the forum at one point who had raised her turtle in her tub and he had lived there for 12-13 years for so. Just make sure they cant climb out and as the others have said they have a heated place to rest out of water.

[TMNTmommie]

I'm not sure how long until we move... depends on when the house sells.... but most likely around December or something...

[untsmurf]

What kind of container are they in? Would it be possible to dig a hole for their container and sink it into the ground? 'Cause that's free