General Care Discussion :: Sally died yesterday

[2wicky]

I'm not sure what I did wrong. I came home and she was floating. The only thing I did new was add a new plant and a Sunglo bulb which wasnt on while I was gone. I've had her for a little over 3 weeks (yes, bought in ChinaTown). Since I got her she never wanted to get in the water. She was always sunbathing. Could she have been sick when I got her? I still have Chaos in there I need to know if there's something I should change in the tank. I don't want to lose him too.

Still fixing up the tank and its necessities.. but here's what I have:

- thermometer in the water. temp fluctuates between 78-80
- i feed them pellets. about 3 each a day (my RES are tiny)
- turtle dock for sunbathing with a UVA light. I think the brand is Sunglo
- filter
- new fake plant (could he have ate it? i didnt see bite marks)
- I don't use gravel. I only have a few big river rocks
- I know I still need to get a therm for basking but I doubt it's too hot. I always check
- a calcium block from the bird section. forgot what they're called but Petco said it's the same as the turtle block.

[marisa]

Yes, the chances of her having already been sick were good, especially since she came from Chinatown, where pet care is virtually unheard of. I'm sorry you lost her.

Your list sounds good.

Check the basking area temp. Is there a UVB light as well? Turtles need both a heat source and a UVB light.

[2wicky]

I need a therm. still for the basking area. It's not too hot.. just warm until I buy it. Am I supposed to put a seperate light over that area or is there a bulb that has both uva/uvb?

[megcornell]

You should have 2 lights over the basking area- one that gives off UVA (house bulb) and one that gives off UVB. If you have a large enough tank you can have a light that gives off both, but smaller tanks can't take the extra heat.
It sounds like your turtle was sick from the start. Was she eating normally and swimming okay? Your set up sounds good, I don't think that is what killed her. Unfortunately if whatever she had was contagious there's a chance your other turtle has already caught it. Just keep an eye out for signs of illness--lethargy, uneven swimming, loss of appetite etc.

I'm sorry about Sally, it's always so sad when hatchlings die unexpectedly.

[2wicky]

She was eating normally but never got in the water to swim. What's the difference between a house bulb and the UVA bulb (Sunglo) I got from Petco?

[marisa]

It sounds like she was ill and was instinctively basking to try to boost her immune system, which would help fight infection.

The UVA bulb gives out more UVA than a regular lightbulb, but both give off heat, which is what you want either of them for. The regular lightbulb is cheaper as well. Basking area temp should be 88-90F.

A turtle needs both a bulb for heat to aid in a number of physiological processes, including digestion (as well as to help dry off the shell when basking) and a UVB light to metabolize Vit D3. A UVB light will also give off UVA rays.

[industrial_girl_2000]

"UVA" is the type of light that feels warm (like when you sit outside and your skin gets "hot" from the sun shining on it). House bulbs or the Sunglo bulb are both UVA bulbs for this reason (only give off light/warmth).

UVB is the kind of light that gives you a sunburn. It is a more intense form of radiation & penetrates deeper into your skin.

Reptiles need both UVA & UVB because the UVA(heat) helps them warm up to digest food. UVB is important because it penetrates deep into the layers of skin where the vitamin D3 is produced (yes, turtles "make" vitamin D in their skin when they come in contact with UVB!). Vitamin D helps bone/shell growth since it helps their bodies be able to absorb calcium from the food.

[2wicky]

Should I be concerned about my other RES who never wants to bask? He just swims and peaks his head out of the water while standing on the ramp. How can I lure him out?

[marisa]

Check the basking area temp. It should be about 10 degrees warmer than the basking area to enourage your turtle to bask (for the heat).

Is the basking area easy for him to get on to?

He could be basking when you're not around when he's got more privacy. Are you sure he's not?

[camee1991]

megcornell- I use the uva/uvb Powersun bulb for both my RES. One in 80 gall and one in a 10 gall. I just pull back the lamp a little more in the little tank and turn down the heater and the water temp stays around 80. And Leo swims and basks all the time.

At first he didnt want to bask at all either! It took some time to get used to the noises and movement in the house and FINALLY he took to it. (1st with the same bulb 2wicky had, then the Powersun.)(When I transitioned to Powersun, he had no problems.) I also have the suction cup small basking area that alot of people on here have. It took him a while to realize he HAD to climb UP the lower part to get on! lol

2wicky...Im sorry to hear about your loss!!! I would for sure do a whole tank cleaning, thoroughly. And as for the lighting, you can get the combo uva/uvb bulbs online at various places. They are around 39.00 give or take a few; but last around a year. And as for the UVA bulb you have...I had one also and that is just an expensive household 60 watt basically. So If you invest in the combo bulb, it saves space and gives your turtle all it needs.

I pray Chaos doesnt get sick. Just keep a good eye on him and watch, like they said above, for ANY strange behavior. (Not eating, swimming tilted, gasping for air, etc.) If any of this happens go to the vet immediately! It could save his life!

Good Luck!!

[rmicklit]

humans need UVB to "make" Vitamin D too!

[Safdar]

sorry to hear for the loss