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I’m just about done setting up the new turtle tank. My question is nighttime basking, do they need that? I have the dual dome lamp for UVA/UVB and heat. Bought a reliable timer for the dual dome lamp. Just didn’t know if they need a nighttime heat lamp???

No, they normally sleep underwater. They are diurnal like us. On occasion you might find them night basking (with or without heat present), but that’s rare and might be symptomatic.

Thank you. I got them in the tank but they keep swimming around the tank and not trying the ramp. When we placed them initially, it was in their basking area and then they immediately slid off the ramp. Do I just sit and wait for them to get comfortable with the new environment? Again thank you for answering all my questions.

They need 3 basic things to bask: easy access to the basking area, a heat lamp to warm the area up and a bit of privacy. All 3 help entice them to get up there. Is any of that missing from their environment?