General Care Discussion :: resting on water heater

[compas]

is it ok for hatchling to touch the water heater when it is on?

my compas used to play around it and it worries me if he swimms close to the glass part when it is on...so i turn it off considering i don't need it too much for now (its already 78F without heater)

i never actualy touch the glass...is it safe to be touch?

it's 75 watt heater for 20 gallons tank

[TheComputerGremlin]

When I had my 50 watt in my smaller tank, Mikey used to perch ontop of it. I touched it one time when it was on, it wasn't that hot at all. Gently try to touch it next time it kicks on to see how hot it gets. Considering that it's only heating the water to just above room temp, it shouldn't get too hot. You can try to stop them from using the water heater by raising or lowering it, putting it vertical, moving it somewhere they won't want to be on it (I put mine under the basking area, so Mikey leaves it alone), or adding additional perches that are more appealing.

[FLhaven4strays]

My indoor turts (2.5" & 1.5") stand on top of the heater all the time (it's vertical) Bob even tries to get behind it. I've touched it while on & it's really just warm to the touch - not hot at all.

My pond turts sleep as close to their heaters on warm nights as they can, and haven't had a problem in 18 mos. Considering their 3 - 200w heaters keep an outdoor pond in the mid 70's even when it dips into the 40's some nights and is still only warm to touch makes me feel comfy letting them do as they like.

[marisa]

The heaters don't feel hot when they're submerged in the water. I usually use heater guards, but not really to prevent turtles from burning themselves (which they won't), but more as protection from breakage with glass heaters.

[compas]

oh i c... thank you for the answer. i never had any aquarium before, so maybe it's the stupidest question ever posted lol

[SpotsMama]

Absolutely not a stupid question! A good question, actually. And I've probably seen it asked 20 times before.

[LOBO]

yea im glad u asked it because im sure i would have asked it soon enough

[Chrisbarnett]

My turt does that all the time, In fact he likes to sleep propped up in between the heater tube and the filter outflow. He really likes the water falling down onto him.

[sezzyb2k7]

my turtle 'Joey' is always on top of his heater and it doesnt seem to bother him whatso ever. he seems to love warming him bum on the heater haha. he also keeps climbing near the filter so we covered it using a rock for basking. i am glad you asked this question as i was a little worried about him doing so.