Urgent Care :: sleeping in water? sleeping on log?

[ShanAKAMom]

Ok Im new. I have read pretty much ALL the stickys and don't want to be yelled at, Its late, Im tired, if somewhere on this board the answers to my questions are posted, I apologize in advance, I just need some answers:
Two new RES turtles, 20 gal tank, have about 2 to 3 inches of water, dont (yet) have a thermometer, DO have a lamp with a blue 40 watt bulb in it (Petland employee picked it out, I had no idea the wattage I needed) the turtles are tiny, 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches. the bigger one seems to be doing ok, hes chilling on a log, sleeping, the tiny one, well hes a zippy little guy, BUT he's sleeping in the water? is that normal? the other one is on the log? I assume, like us, they all are different and have different tastes, BUT is that ok? to like be sleeping in the water, (his head is out btw) AND are they known to sleep at night like us? or is it off and on? and should I keep the lamp on 24/7??? I take animals serious, I want them to live long healthy lives and will buy a turtle care book if I can find a referral for one that is good? anyone up to answering my questions?? and please, dont yell at me to read stickeys I HAVE and I can't be UP all night reading and I have to work in the am thanks SOOOOOOOOOOOOo much in advance

[sonyj]

Welcome to the forum... Ok first to answer your question: Turtles can sleep underwater for up to three hours at a time and at other times they will sleep in partial water and out of water. I guess it depends on how they feel.

Now, if you've read all the stickies you'll know what I'm about to say is true. They really need more water than just three inches in the bottom of their tank. RES love to swim and the more water the better for them. Generally the tank should be 10 gallons per inch of turtle.

About the light, personally I'm not sure about the light bulb you have. Someone else might know what it is. The lighting you need is a heat bulb (can be a regular household bulb in a clamp) and a UVB bulb. The UVB bulb is florescent and doesn't admit heat. There's a coil one at Petsmart/petco for about $20 but you can find them cheaper online. Both of these are very important to your turtles. Ideally have them pointed over there basking area and make sure the basking area is where they can completely dry off on.

I probably have more to say but it's time to run the kids to school... Hope some of this helps. And again welcome...

[JessicaTS]

Welcome
My turtles been sleeping in and out of water since they were yearlings
It's nothing to be too concerned about
The light bulb you're talking about is probably UVA lights. UVB lights are what you should be after.
Do you have a filter... heater?
And you'll be needed a bigger tank, at LEAST 35 gallons. But don't settle with it. As soon as they start growing bigger, you're going to need bigger tanks.

[ShanAKAMom]

Well after I got offline I was up till 3am (ahhhhhhh) adding more water there is now about 6-7 inches of water and they have plenty of stuff to bask on. the light I have in there is omitting heat, so I assume its not a UVB bulb, after work I will go buy one. (WHY dont the pet stores FILL people in and tell the TRUTH, one store I went to, said I dont need ANY lamps???!! MORONS) the tiny turtle is still in the water MOST of the time, I did realize hes a little chicken, flops himself into the water if someone approaches the tank LOL the bigger one is like "oh hey, whats up?" lifts his litttle cute head and has eye contact...too cute Ok so I will get a UVB bulb what wattage should I get? keep in mind they will stay in this 20 gal for at least 6 more months when I will upgrade when they get bigger...thanks for all advice..I really appreciate it.....

[cam722]

The UVB isn't based on wattage. You want a bulb that emits between 5-10% UVB.

[jenaero]

keep the uva light tho..they need both

I've often wondered why people at the pet stores don't try to sell you everything you need. I mean, why wouldn't they want to make more money off of us? It's because most of them are working for minimum wage, don't know what the animals need, and aren't paid enough to care. Sad but true.

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

Short answer: Return business

If they gave you all you needed the first time, you would probably not go back anymore for anything other than food. It is like a carpenter selling you a stairwell a step at a time, you will keep coming back for another step until you reach the floor you are aiming for.

[marisa]

They need to sleep like we do, so for lighting follow daylight hours and seasons as much as possible. An average of 12 hours on is OK.

To encourage them to bask, have the basking area temparound 10 degrees warmer than the water. For hatchlings/smaller turtles, a water temp of 78F is good.