General Care Discussion :: New turtle owner with some questions

[smurfette]

I recently purchased two baby RES and have some questions:

How long does it usually take them to get used to being in a new place and not be scared of me? Scooter is about 1.5 inches long and hasn't been very happy since I brought him home. He won't bask for very long during the day, and recently has been spending a lot of time swimming up and down the side of the tank like he is trying to get out! Because he won't bask he is growing a thin layer of algae on his shell and I am worried!

This brings me to my second question: The water temp is at 84 degrees F and the basking area is about 91 degrees F. What should I do to the temperatures to increase Scooter's interest in basking? Or does he just need more time to adjust?

Also, is there something that I can do to get the algae off? I tried wiping it with a towel, and that reduced the algae a little, but I don't want to scare Scooter any more than he already is by taking him out of the water and scrubbing him with a toothbrush!

Any advice that you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

One last thing...Scooter was in a smaller tank than I have with at least 10 other RES babies when I bought him and Squirt, so I thought that he would be used to being around other turtles...

[eugenetimpog]

You can read this. This would help a lot. It has info about temps ect...
http://www.redearslider.com/hatchling_tips.html

algae is not a threat to turtles don't worry that much. But be careful on using a toothbrush to remove those algae. Hatching's shell are very delicate and can be injured very easily. From what I've read, member's here use soft toothbrush with warm water.

And yes don't pick him up too much it would just stress her. For me i wouldn't bother about the algae for now. She is still new wait until she is not scared of you.

[megcornell]

Usually new turtles don't bask right away, but one reason yours might be even more hesitant is that the basking temp is so close to the water temp. Such a small temp gradient tempts them to stay in the water. I'd lower the water temp to 79-80, as it's too high.

[smurfette]

Thanks you guys, I know that the algae is not a big deal and that it is going to take a while for my guys to get used to me and their new environment, I am just worried because I have never done this before! I do feel better about it now though, so thanks a bunch!

[eugenetimpog]

Also try hand feeding. It will make them more attached to you. I've been hand feeding them since day one up to now. but of course the first few days(or weeks... i cant remember) are not successful. They will be very hesitant to take the food from your fingers. It will take time.

[mikee]

Smurf – I have had them not eat for a week and the basking is tied to the eating. They need the uva heat and the uvb rays to metabolize their food. The suggestion of feeding him by hand is a good one. Put a pellet between your fingers and put one end in the water. He will get hungry enough to eat after a few days. I would suggest that you lower the temp in your tank to 78 degrees. Turtles like the heat difference. The algae is not a problem, however I scrub mine off with a soft tooth brush and warm salt water. They don’t like it one bit so make it quick and get him back in the tank. It will be a long time before he is not scared of you. That is a turtle instinct and it is their survival mode. He will come around if he is in a high traffic area.