General Care Discussion :: basking

[tammi]

Still haven't seen my big guy use the new turtle topper basking area yet. Its been a week should I be worried?
The temp is at 92 degrees.

[akaghettoraver]

Naw give him time he is just getting use to it thats all, good luck

[mike hill]

tam-i If your basking area is 92degrees and he will not bask I would suggest that you lower the water temp. I use a temp of about 75 for water and 90 to 91 degrees for basking. They like the temp difference. If that doesn't work keep lowering the water temp until he does. Check and see if you have a hot spot and have good uvb lighting. m.

[tammi]

My water temp is 78 and I have a uva and uvb bulb. I'm hoping he's just adjusting.

[akaghettoraver]

Keep the water temp above 75 degrees, below that for a long period can kill a turtle or cause it to go into hibernation and I don't recommend that unless you know what you are doing. Give him time he will bask again;)

[theartbook35]

Some turtles take a day or two or three, others take a week, some take a month or more.

I personally find the turtle topper to be a very ugly piece of equipment, and the huge clunky thing seems to me like it would intimidate the hell out of a hatchling.

You can use it fine, it'll just take your little one a while to get used to it.

[tammi]

I have the topper for my larger turtle he's 5 inches. I have a floating dock for the little one. I've actually dressed my topper up nicely.
Plants on the inside to provide a bit more realistic atmoshphere. On the out side I t matches the decorations I have on the inside of the tank.

[marisa]

Is it easy for the RES to get on to? If the climb into it is steep, perhaps he's a bit skittish about leaving the water.

I'm sure your topper looks nice, and the important thing is that your turtle comes to accept it and use it. I think too often keepers judge equipment by what looks appealing to them even if what is selected isn't the most practical choice for the turtle.

[tammi]

Yay! Slider basked today.

[steve]

Congrats! Here is the basking overview on the site: http://www.redearslider.com/basking.html

[jozzep]

Great that the turtle used it, specially after spending 50 bucks...
I can build 3 "home made" turtle toppers for that

[theartbook35]

Great that the turtle used it, specially after spending 50 bucks...
I can build 3 "home made" turtle toppers for that

Ya know, in the back of my mind I would be like,

"I spent 50 bucks on this darn thing, you'd better effing use it".