General Care Discussion :: how do i ease my turtles into warmer water?

[turtlemonkey]

woke up and found my boyfriend accidentally unplugged the heater while my baby turt was in the rubbermaid, water is 65 degrees now, how should i ease my baby into the 78 degree aquarium?

Even when I stick my finger in the cold and the warmer water I can feel the difference. don't want them to get "shocked" by the temp (they've been in the colder water for 7 hours overnight now.

[Lantic]

Just do a water change.. take about 25% out and put warmer water in it. Just dont make it extremely hot water.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

To me i think your fine already, basking temps are about 10 degrees hotter then water, when you turtle jumps in the water his body temp was already hotter and causes no shock. So its no difference here

[turtlemonkey]

Painteds4life, do you have painted turtles? I have 2 baby southern painted.
I've already started changing out hte water a bit at a time. but thanks, I won't be so worried.

[TheComputerGremlin]

In the future if this happens, just leave the turtle in the regular tank and plug back in the water heater. This way, the turtle can slowly equilibrate with the water. Meanwhile, in this instance, going from 65 degree water to 78 degree water is much better than going the other way. I would say it would be safe just to put them into the warmer water.

[gianoshoes]

mine always hanging around the marineland heater most of the day, will it hurt them or bad for them?

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Painteds4life, do you have painted turtles? I have 2 baby southern painted.
I've already started changing out hte water a bit at a time. but thanks, I won't be so worried.

Yep i do. 1 southern, 1 western, 5 easterns.

I dont really think turtles get shocked that easy. My painteds are basking in 75 degree weather and are nice and warm when you pick them up, there diving back into 38 degree water. Now theres a shock to the system.

[TheComputerGremlin]

gianoshoes - Nope, shouldn't be a problem. As long as your heater is functioning properly, it should hurt them. When it's on, if you put your hand on it, it won't burn you either.

However, if they are hanging out there most of the time, they may want additional places to hang out at. They are probably using it to hold themselves up. Try adding some aquarium plants or underwater ledges, like suction cup soap dishes.

[Caphits]

I think you meant "shouldn't"