Feeding and Nutrition :: new worried baby res owner

[lily73]

Hi! i got 2 baby res last monday, and have been reading frantically and worrying frantically ever since... i got a nice tank, basking rocks, a 7% uvb lamp and a water heater (which i was keeping at 82, though after reading i have dropped it down to 78). I don't have a heat lamp, but i am going to buy one today.
My problem , though, is that they won't eat!! I got reptomin baby pellets, and i put a few right into their water every day - leave it in there for 30 min. to an hour, then scoop the remaining pellets out - there are always the exact same amount! Should i get them some crickets? not worry because they are still adjusting? try a different kind of food? do i drop it in the water, or put it on top of their basking platform? and also, if i get them cuttlebone, do i put it right in the water, or mount it on the side of the tank? please help, i am very worried and don't want them to die!
they are very active and seem happy...

[jenaero]

The water temp should be 75-78. They bask in order to warm up and digest. They'll probably start eating when you get a heat lamp. Make sure to check the basking temp when you do.

For the cuttlebone, take off the hard backing because they can't digest it. Take the bone and crush it into bite size pieces. They may not take to it right away tho.