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One, (I am new so don't laugh) do you only feed your turtle with teh basking and UVB lights off?

Second, (not really a feeding question) I have read several members saying that they put a guppy in the tank to help the cleaning...Is this okay or should you try to stay away from this?

Brandon

You can leave it on, it should only take a few minutes for your turtle to eat. A guppy will eat some of the food leftovers but I wouldn't consider them a realistic way of helping keep a tank clean considering they make their own waste as well.

steve wrote:You can leave it on, it should only take a few minutes for your turtle to eat. A guppy will eat some of the food leftovers but I wouldn't consider them a realistic way of helping keep a tank clean considering they make their own waste as well.

Good point on the guppie, I didn't even really think about that...


The problem I am having is that when I feed them, one tends to eat and the other tends to continually bask/sleep. Then I feel bad when I extract the leftover food because the second one has not had any food so I feed him later while the other turtle sleeps, or eats a second time. How can I get them on the same schedule?

Also, when your turtles bask, do they sleep, or just lay their awake? They used to stay awake but they seem to sleep evertime they bask now.

I try to feed both my RES at the same time, but my male refuses to eat pellets early in the day. He wouldn't change this behavior so I'm feeding both my turts later in the day than I would like. I do feed them separately (in a feeding container) because he eats very slowly and he will poop right after eating. He doesn't really like to be in there and will sometimes refuse to eat while there... yours might too but the more aggressive turtle shouldn't mind. So when they're both active, feed the basker in tank and the other in a separate container or just keep that one out of there.

My turts used to stay awake, but they sleep as well. What are the basking temps?

steve wrote:My turts used to stay awake, but they sleep as well. What are the basking temps?

I might have to try putting mine in a small container when they feed...

I am not sure of the basking temps. I am using a 50W zoomed spot that is about 10-12 inches away. I need to check the temp accurately but I don't have a second thermometer yet. The ambient temp of the room is 75-76, the water temp is 78-80, and the warmth on my hand when I put it on the basking dock is warmer than the water and outside air temp but not hot. I am guessing it is in the upper 80's to 90. Based on feel, it doesn't seem to be more than 90.

Just be sure that they are each getting their share of food, and that the other isn't getting fed twice, or over fed. It isn't healthy for your turtle, and can lead to different health problems. If the shy one won't eat out of the container, then you could remove the piggish one and let the other eat in the tank.

Edit: You can't accurately tell the temp with your hand, and it's important that your basking area isn't too hot. Get a themometer as soon as you can.

missibsu wrote:Edit: You can't accurately tell the temp with your hand, and it's important that your basking area isn't too hot. Get a themometer as soon as you can.

Note well taken...I will be getting another thermometer but I figured I would try guessing to make sure it wasn't too hot at the moment.

I figured you were! But I have seen some very unlikely things from some people, so it's easier to spell it out. lol!

They sell little stick on thermometers (that go on the outside of the tank) for like 3 dollars at wal-mart..