General Care Discussion :: Proper water heater?

[daniela]

Hi, Everyone...

I have a question... and maybe two?

I had a 20gL for my 3 turdies... however, I was advised to upgraded for more room and living space... Needless to say, I have since purchased an 116qrt L tub from Target. (the aquarium slipped and cracked!)... anyway, I don't have the tub completely filled, maybe only 2 - 3 gallon of water... if that!?!?! they're still little guys... maybe 1.5 the most.

Ok, so I had a Repto submersible heater that should have kept the water of a 20g tank at 78degrees... but it only makes it to 72 - maybe 73 degrees... is this too cold for my turts? and what heater would you recommend that I use?

Thanks!

[mikee]

Dan-la -- They need their 77 to 78 degrees to metabolize their food properly. I am sure that they can stand that for a while, but you need to get to the proper temp. You will need 78 for the water and 90 for the basking. You may need to up grade and enlarge the heater.

[daniela]

Thank you... can you recommend one? I'm looking online... Petsmart.com, at a Rena SmartHeater... what do you think?!?!

[steve]

Ebo Jager, Tronic and Visitherm Stealth are good ones. The Stealth is by far the most popular on this forum. Why don't you have it filled more?

[megcornell]

Between having too little water and the temps being so cool, you're really risking your turtles' health. Why can't you buy a larger temporary tank and buy a heater based on that size?

[daniela]

I've filled my tub as everyone has suggested... and I purchased a "Hydro" brand water heater... the temps is maintaining at 78-79 degrees....

Thank you... I'm getting it together... I want to do the best for my little guys!

As far as me not buying a bigger tank... I was suggested from the forum here to buy a big tub from the local store and I would have to upgrade as they get bigger... their about 1.25 - 1.5" each?

[daniela]

I have to say Bravo to everyone here... and I'm very Grateful for this website...

the guy / sales rep at Petsmart yesterday... told me that I was doing find... in which aggravated me, because by chatting with... and reading what I can from this site... I knew I wasn't doing fine... he told me that the temp could be anywhere from 68 degrees on up?!?! and "he knew because he raised RES when he was younger"... So here I am... going off at his lack of expertise and experience... I begin Promoting this site, and grabbed the book from the rack, I had originally purchased before getting my little guys and proceed to show him that the Water temp is to be at 78 degrees and cause and effects as to why it should be there....?!?!?

[megcornell]

haha, good for you! There is a lot of varied info out there on turtles, and I think sometimes people just don't think to question info, but they should... 68 degrees would not lead to a healthy turtle.