Habitat - Indoor

I've recently moved two of my turtles into a new 40 gallon tank. They're both around 3-4 inches big but ever since I've moved them into a bigger tank, I never see them climb ontop the floating platforms to bask. Its been almost a week since I've moved them. The depth of the water is around 5 inches and have the UVB light on for several hours after sunset. Since the tank is right infront of a window, it is receiving a decent amount of natural sunlight. I have a heating lamp shined towards the basking platforms for an hour but they just never climb out of the water. I've also tried luring them into the platforms with food, and placing them directing on it but as soon as they can, they jump back into the water. Anyone have any ideas?

Is it the same basking area as their old one? When you say direct the shined the lamp, does that mean its not normally over the basking area? When you put food up there, did they go get it?

Uhh its basically a bigger tank but everything is larger but yeah its in the same general area. The lamp is normally shined over the basking area but I just don't leave it on for hours anymore since they don't seem to be interested in even climbing ontop. No they didn't, I even tried luring them with dried shrimp out of the water but as soon as they start to climb out , they jump back into the water.

I'd still leave it on. Can you cover the sides of the tank temporarily? Was the previous tank in front of the window? What are the water temperatures? If it's too warm, they might not be enticed to bask.

I am having the same issue in the new ABTA that I installed this weekend. On Friday he would not go up the new ramp, Saturday/Sunday he went on-off-on-off, then today I saw him up there, but as soon as he saw me he dived back in the water. I put what fake plants I had that would hang in front of the acrylic doors and then I covered the rest of it with an old pillow case. He has been basking since I did that. Loud sounds or someone getting too close will send him diving for the water. I have kept his lights on the same schedule. I would cover the front and then leave them alone as much as possible.

Yertle did the on-off thing for 2 days before actually going onto the platform itself. Now I think its just a matter of leaving him be so he gets used to being in there with us moving around the living room without fleeing for the water. I am going to get some more fake plants so that I can take the pillow case off, and just give him a feeling of being somewhat hidden, but still visible. I made the mistake of trying to lure him with food and ended up with dirty water that I had to drain and refill on Saturday, did not help mister turtle adjust very much. Good luck, I think they will be fine given a little cover and time to adjust.

UPDATE: Okay so this morning I saw one of them basking on the platform as the sun was shining on it, wasn't sure for how long but as soon as a got closer he jumped back into the water.

The tank was previously against a wall. Water temp is about 78~80. Oh okay , are they just afraid because of how much activity is going on outside of the tank?

I think so, there is a lot more info for them to process. Sounds like things are on the right track.

Habitat - Indoor :: Turtles won't bask after moving to new tank

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