General Care Discussion :: NOT BASKING!?

[haimish321]

ok. Now my water temp. is about 80 degrees, and my basking stop is at 90 deg. My 2 turtles (2inches long) wont bask. WHy

[SpotsMama]

How long have you had them? Can they get up on their basking place easily?

What kind of UVB light do you use?

Often little turtles (and yours are very small at 2 inches) are shy and won't bask when a person is around, but they will bask when they think they are alone. Is it possible that they are secret baskers when you're not around?

It's essential that they bask or their shells will get infected. It's good of you to be concerned about it.

[haimish321]

HERE IS THE PIC. I REMOVED THE LIGHT BEACAUSE I PUT IT INTO DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR A WHILE TO SEE IF THEY BASKED BUT THEY DIDN'T.

[haimish321]

sHOULD I FORCE THEM TO BSK IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT?

[SpotsMama]

Actually.....the ramp up to the basking area looks very long and steep. Maybe they can't get up it.

[Safdar]

Thats an interesting setup.
But you still need to answer the questions that spotsmama said
Itl help diagnose

[haimish321]

Nope. its actually at a 10 degree angle the pic was at an angle

[SpotsMama]

Yes, the answers to all the other questions would be helpful.

But to answer your most recent question - no, you shouldn't force them to bask in direct sunlight. Instead, create an environment where the turtles feel motivated to bask in a natural manner.

Also, there are temperature regulation issues with direct sunlight and a small tank - in your case, for instance, I should think there's a real risk that the setup would overheat in direct sunlight.

[haimish321]

It is a 30 gallon rubbermaid. I have a small fence like ting that i can put my turtles in, and i can put a small watering bowl if it gets too hot. and u know how parents are. "its a turtle, not a human!" isnt that rude?!

[Tenodera]

I don't reallly think turtles would climb in a tube...don't hamsters do that?

[steve]

I agree, it's too long and steep.

[untsmurf]

You should try replacing the tube with some sort of ramp and see if that helps. The turtles are probably too scared to go up into it. And it honestly doesn't look that sturdy.

[Wildcoyote]

i agree too replace the tube.

[cooleststan]

your basking platform won't work either, you need to cut the top off of it, the plastic may block out the uvb rays

[Tenodera]

Yea, and I don't mean to overly criticize but it doesn't seem to sturdy, it looks like a nudge could send the whole thing tumbling down.