General Care Discussion :: Newbie To Sliders...Could use some help.

[Vas]

Hi,
I recently purchased 2 baby sliders for my son and built what I believe to be a good home for them based on all the homework I have done. I'm just ot sure it's right. I was wondering if someone can give me some advice. i would like to make these guys feel at home.
I own a 150 gallon tank that is temporarily occupied by 5 Koi (roughly 10 inches each) that will share the tank for now with the little guys. On one half of the tank I have 2 flourescent bulbs and on the other half of the tank I put in a floating dock with a small heat lamp over it at what i think is an appropriate distance. I have read over and over that they need a place to bask. My question is this. The little guys never go to the side of the tank with the dock and the heat lamp. they spend 99% of their time sitting on top of the outlet tube for my filter that is just below the waterline with their heads above water under the flourescent lights. When I put them on the dock manually they just jump back into the water and go right back to the fliter outlet tube. Is this normal?? Should I be concerned? The heater on the tank works full time (it's to small and being addresed) and keeps the water at roughly 70 degrees. The Koi take their shots at them ffrom time to time and if they keep it up, their time will be up before their new pond is built (tree fell in the old one). there is plenty of structure in and around the tank. Other than that I don't know what else to say or think. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Vas

[DavidY]

Welcome to the forum, Vas!

Um, I'm surprised that the koi have not eaten the baby turtles already. You should separate them immediately as they will terrify the turtles if not kill them.

As for the basking platform, move the flourescent lights over the platform next to the heat light. Also make sure the flourescent lights are UVA/UVB lights as that is necessary for turtles to grow and maintain their health.

Water temperature for baby sliders should be in the upper 70's like around 78 degrees is ideal. Make sure the basking platform temperature right under the light is between 88 to 90 degrees. The warmer basking temperature will make it more inviting for the turtles to come up and bask. In general though, new turtles will be very shy and probably won't bask if anyone else is in the room.

If you can't move the Koi to their pond yet, you could move the baby turtles into a 20 gallon rubbermaid tub for now along with a heater, filter, their basking dock and the lights. They may feel more secure in there too. Once the Koi are gone and the turtles get a little bigger you could put them back in the 150 gallon. That is a very nice size tank for 2 growing sliders by the way.

[SpotsMama]

The most common reason for turtles not basking is that the temperature differential between the water and the basking platform is not great enough. The basking platform should be at least 10 degrees warmer than the water. The only way to know if the temps are ok is to measure them with a thermometer. you really can't tell by how it feels.

Another reason turtles don't bask - especially little ones - is that they are shy. If they are brand new, they may still feel very timid and afraid to bask when you're around. If that's the case - if you've only had them for a few days - then give them a little time and a little peace and quiet and they will calm down and starting acting like turtles!

Of course, if there are giant fish trying to eat them, they probably won't settle down. Can you move the turtles somewhere temporarily until the Koi are safely in their pond?

Like David said, once the turtles settle in and the Koi have gone back to the Koi pond, then that big tank is going go seem like heaven for the turtles.

Double check the flourescent lights though. They should be positioned over the basking platform along with the heat light. And....be sure the flourescents are the right kind. It's critical that they lights provide sufficient UVB. You can only get these kind of bulbs at a pet supplier - and they aren't cheap. Getting the lighting just right is a bit tricky. What kind of bulbs are you using?

[Vas]

Thanks you both for your responses. You made some very valid points. I will certainly verify the type of UV light (it was however purchased at a fish store so it should be right) and check my temperatires and make any necessary adjustments. As for the Koi, I'll work on that as well.

[steve]

Hi Vas, here are some tips for basking (and what I describe as requirements): www.redearslider.com/basking.html