General Care Discussion :: Temps

[kgielda]

Harvey is 4 inches long and I'm guessing about a year old. My friend got him last Christmas and he was a baby. Anyway, the water temp is currently 73 degrees and the basking dock is usually 82. I have a 75 watt bulb and the Reptiglo 5.0 UVB.

He basks all the time, for hours. I've read that most people have the dock at around 88.

Since he is always basking, should I just leave it how it is? Or get a higher wattage bulb?

Thanks!
Kate

[thegrandpoohbah]

If he's basking all the time I would leave it. I keep my water at 75F and my basking dock is only 80F. I only have a Reptiglo 5.0 UVB bulb and no heat bulb at the moment. But since my RES basks throughout the day I haven't worried about it.

[megcornell]

Personally, I'd be more comfortable with a higher water temp for my turtle. Anything under 75 I worry about. I'd boost the water to 75, see if Harvey still basks even though the temp difference is now smaller, and if he does, leave it, if not then alter the heat light to raise the temp a few degrees. Every turtle has a slightly different temp that they seem crazy about, but 82 does seem a little cool.

How large is your tank? Smaller tanks can be affected a lot by the heat bulbs so that's something to watch out for.

[kgielda]

He's in a 29 gallon right now. I'm actually going to pick up a 55 gallon in a few minutes. I was planning on getting the UVA/UVB bulb combo that everyone has been talking about once I get the tank up and running.

[mikee]

Kgielda – I hate to use the “general rule of thumb” too much however, “most” sliders do better at 76 to 78 degrees water temperature. Sliders need uvb and uva light to metabolize, (digest), their food properly. Their best basking temperature is about 90 degrees. They will bask as they need and the higher the temp the less they will need and stop. You can get it too hot and injure them. You may find it necessary to get a couple of thermometers to get it correct. There is plenty of help here: just ask.

[kgielda]

The 55 gallon is up and running. The water temp is now 78 and the basking temp is 89. I had a UVA/UVB bulbs for my 30 gallon. That is what is up now. I plan on getting the All In One bulb since everyone said they are better for bigger tanks (too powerful for the smaller ones).

Thanks everyone!

[N4784N R4613]

Sweet, nice job!!!

[marisa]

I think your water temp is fine, especially if it's the temp he's used to and he's healthy. There's a 9 degree temp between the water and basking area, and it's common to recommend a 10 degree difference between the two. You could up it a degree or two, but if your turtle is basking with the way it is, that's fine.