General Care Discussion :: I have a ? about water temp

[princessrjs]

I read somewhere that the temp for RES water is ideal between 75 and 80 degrees. The water just seems so cold. My turtles are all lethargic and I am afraid the water is to blame. I am not sure. What do you suggest?

[jenaero]

Do you have a good thermometer? The water will feel cold to us because our body temp is 98.6. If the water is 75 it will feel cold to you. If your turts are over a year old, the temp should be from 72-75. Higher temps are for hatchlings or sick turtles.

What is the basking temp? What have you been feeding? Have there been any other symptoms? They could just be having a lazy day. Mine do that sometimes.

[princessrjs]

Yeah...everything seems to be working fine. I don't know. The turtles are new to me and I was never really told how to care for them so I just want to make sure that I am doing everything I can to keep them healthy and happy.

[steve]

I second getting a good thermometer. Using a highly recommended heater will also offer some extra assurance. It is hard to judge water temp without a thermometer, but after awhile it gets easier... though not accurate enough.

[marisa]

A water temp of 75F seems really cold to my touch, so I've learned it's best not rely on just feeling it. Get a digital thermometer to check the water temp against what you have your water heater set at--it's possible what you've got it set at isn't the temp the water is being heated to. I've had heaters that have heated the water higher than what they were set at, and I've had heaters that I've had to set a bit higher to bring the temp up to what I wanted it to be.