General Care Discussion :: Vacation

[myrtletheturtle]

Im leaving for vacation tomorrow through tuesday I was wondering if it was ok for me to leave my heat lamp off?? I can leave my uvb light on because it doesnt get to hot but im gonna turn my air off so at least it will be hot inside..Anyone have any ideas??

[untsmurf]

Put the light on a timer. Your turtle needs a light cycle. And it needs warmth to bask, not just UVB. Plus, if you leave your AC off, after your trip, the water will probably be too warm. I have to keep my apartment at 79 degrees during the summer so I don't cook Mikey. (I don't want to shell out the money for a water cooler)

[myrtletheturtle]

well i dont have time to go out and buy a timer?? so if i leave it on 3 days straight will it be bad??

[Vivi]

well like untsmurf said the turt needs a light cycle. maybe you can ask a friend or relative to come by and check them out for you.

[myrtletheturtle]

i dont have family here and my friends live like 15 minutues from me i moved here for college alot of people are gone and I have noone to do it for me

[megcornell]

you should keep the turtle on a cycle. you can buy a timer anywhere... a supermarket, walmart, etc. I'd be afraid to leave any lights on for three days straight.

ooops i meant timer

[myrtletheturtle]

i have a heater im talking about leaving the lights on in general for 3 days

[kermitzaqd]

I would say that it would be fine for 3 days to leave your heat lamp off and just the uvb on. Is your turt still a hatchling? From your pic it looks like it. Just make sure the water temp is warm and it should be fine.

Turtles survive outside on cloudy days. It will be okay.

[Caelestis]

Try puting some aluminum foil to reflect some light away from one part of the tank, so that myrtle can have some partially dark place to sleep and a light place to bask. Make sure myrtle can't grab the foil and eat it though.

[Safdar]

If its totaly impossible to get a timer
Just create a really dark area for him to go when hes sleepy

[Tenodera]

Doesn't anyone think it'll be fine to leave the lights off for three day? I mean come on, in the wild who ever heard of continuous sunshine?

[myrtletheturtle]

ok well then ill leave the uvb on and put more over the basking area so he can go to the other side to sleep on his log...His water is bout 78-79 right now and yes hes a hatching...

[rachel16]

id say leave the light off. because well then if u have a window the turtles still geting some light. it my not have any value for the turtle but still.

[Turtle_Turtle]

Doesn't anyone think it'll be fine to leave the lights off for three day? I mean come on, in the wild who ever heard of continuous sunshine?

one word for you Alaska (in the summer)

[DavidY]

ha ha! not for a RES though.

Yea I don't think it will matter much one way or the other if it's only for 3 days. But I'd be inclined to just leave all the lights off for 3 days like Kevin said. Especially if he's not going to be eating much. Less light and lower temps will slow his metabolism a little so he won't miss as much while you're gone.