Habitat - Indoor :: HELP!!! IM NEW TO THIS..I HAVE A BABY RES

[boruchj]

I have a zoo med combo uva/uvb 20 watt. It doesn't get burning hot, which concerns me. maybe it's too small?

[turtlesrock77]

That's the light I have too. I just bought it about a week ago. I don't think it is very good. It's ok for UVB, but I am going to buy another clamp lamp to put beside it with a regular household bulb in it to provide heat.

[boruchj]

Do you think the addition of a water heater would be comparable?

[turtlesrock77]

No, you need a water heater and a basking light. The temperature of the basking area should be 10-15 degrees higher than the water temp.

[marisa]

With those lights (20-watt super coil UVB lights) you have to have a heat source, and a regular light bulb will work fine. Basking area temp should be about 10 watts higher than the water temp.

[boruchj]

Hmmmm. I have decided that many people who work at pet-stores are clueless. I ave received so much bad advice over the past month! The guy who sold me the light said it would be fine. Did he meana higher wattage? Would that make it warmer, or should I just use a reg bulb?

The addition of the water heater is good for the baby...he seems better, and he loves his new floating log. He sleeps in it.

He is still not eating as much as last week. If it was the water temp, how long before he gets his appetite back do you estimate?

Thanks EVERYONE!

[flutterby]

You can use a regular lightbulb for a heat source. About his eating, he could still be adjusting to the new additions to the tank. Just keep offering him pellets and keep greens floating and eventually he'll come around again.

[Jessica313]

thats a great improvement! but i would fill the water up much higher still... RES love to swim... did that dock u bought come with a plastic piece with suction cups? if so you should put them on so the dock can float on its own when you fill the water higher... just dont fill it so high that he can climb out... turtles are excellent escape artists...

[boruchj]

I'll add the 2nd light. The new additions were added yesterday, so I am not sure it's that b/c he hasn't eaten for a couple days.....

However, he ( and we) has been under alot of stress. We got him, moved him to a 20 gal., moved 2 wks later, we moved the location of the tank again, then, last week, the filter needed cleaning ( I am sure he swallowed some of the gross water). I also believe it was on the chilly side prior to yesterday (it is 82'ish now) I am surprised he made it through it all so far.

We also treated the water today to keep the filter clean and clear. By the way, my bf brought him guppies to eat, but we have not seen him eat any, there are sooo many (25) and seem to be dying fast. i think he might be too young for them, no?

Alot of people tell me these turtles die easily, which makes me so upset. I am doing everything I can, and came into this completely blind.....he was a gift from an unknowing bf. I care for him alot now, and have invested so much. I hope I am doing ok.

Best,
J

[boruchj]

It is not a dock, but a "floating turtle log".

[JuelisKaylee]

He is such a cuttie, if you didnt point him out he would be totally lost in all that green. Maybe he's alwasy close to the plant becaue he's still being shy and hiding from you a bit.

[turtlesrock77]

I don't think he's too young for the fish, my turtles are just hatchlings and they gobble them up. It took them a few days after I got the fish to eat their first one though. After that they ate 10 in less than a week.

[JuelisKaylee]

If you all saw the size guppies the guy at the fish store gave me you'll know for sure there is certainly a fish for any size turtle. Those things were almost microscopic.