General Care Discussion :: Moving....

[khobbs]

We are moving on Tuesday, and I have to have the turtle tank drained out on Monday night. Is there anything specific I should do to make my turtles more comfortable. They will have to be out of water overnight and for a little while the next day. Should this be okay? When we got them in Florida they were out of water for at least 2 days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[missibsu]

There are several posts about moving/travelling with turtles. I would do a search on those to pick up some great tips. Just to cover a few, make sure your turtles are in a container they can't escape from. Some people debate the whole wet cloth under them saying that it will get to cold, other say just give them dry cloth to burrow in. While travelling and sitting, make sure they aren't exposed to extreme sunlight, a/c currents, etc. I'm sure there is more that I am leaving out, but that will get you started.

Don't transport in water, and I have heard not to feed them before transporting...although I don't know for how long before, or if that is correct info.

[khobbs]

well, we aren't moving a long distance, should have mentioned that. we are just moving across town, but i will have to empty the tank monday night and will have them set back up sometime during the day on tuesday. i was just wondering about keeping them warm and night and during the day till i get the tank set up. and if i should put there lights on them, but have a shaded place for them, or what...

and i did the search, and it seems like everything but my topic came up.

[missibsu]

I don't think that moving them with lights and stuff is convenient...would be easier if it is all packed. It won't hurt them to go a day without their lighting.

Even though you aren't moving very far, they will be sitting somewhere while things are getting moved. That is why I mentioned the drafts and giving them a place to burrow. Some people have suggested using those hand warmers as heat packs too, I don't know if that is an option or not. I've heard good and bad.

[khobbs]

So, what, just put some towels in the container I'll be transporting them in? I just don't want them to get cold because we keep it pretty cool at night. That's the only thing I'm concerned with.

I just meant about having the lights on them while they are out of the water, not while moving them. Like the night before like normal, and then during the day on tuesday while we are setting up the tank. That's all I meant by the lights.

[steve]

What are the temperatures? Overnight should be fine. If you are using bio media, try to preserve the bacteria so you won't have to start a new cycle.

[khobbs]

Do you mean our living temperatures or the turtles temps? The Turtles temps are about 78 in water and around 90 basking. Withouth the lights the temp of the air is 72-73. To me that's pretty cool so I don't know how that would be to them.

And as far as the biomedia, hate to say it but you lost me on that. By biomedia, what do you mean. Not sure if I am using it or not.

But still what do I do with the towels?

[missibsu]

What kind of media are you using in your filter? If you are using anything with the prefix bio, ceramic stars or rings, etc, those things need to be kept moist.

With the towels, I would lay one in whatever you are going to transport in, and then put the turtles on top of it. Then place another towel on top of them. Based on what the air temp is in your house and where you are moving is how I would decide whether or not to make them moist. If it's going to be chilly, under 70-72 degrees, then I would not wet them, but if it is going to stay fairly warm, go ahead. Just my thoughts!

[khobbs]

ok. thanks. as far as i know i'm not using any kind of biomedia.

[steve]

Skip using any wet towels altogether. If your room temp is about 72F, it should be OK as well.

[Boogerbutt02]

How did the move go?