General Care Discussion

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:10 pm **Normal??**

My RES usually basks alot. The past 2 days, he does nothing but stay in the water. He sleeps under the dock( bottom suction cups not attached) with his head up on the back side. Well, other than eating last night, he has literally been in that spot for 2 days. Haven't seen him bask since Sat. or Sun. Could it be cause its winter here? Just want to make sure hes not getting sick. He ate good last night. I kept him out of the water under a heat lamp for a while last night since he wouldn't bask. Should I take him out and put both lights on him or just wait and see what he does? Thanks guys and gals!!

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:17 pm

Do you know what the basking area temperature is? It might not be warm enough to entice him to come out and bask.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:21 pm

Don't know, but I have always used a 60 watt and the water level is always the same. He isn't swimming around today either like he normally does. Should I maybe add more water? The water is about 6 in or so from the top of the tank.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:32 pm

I don't think that changing the conditions will fix the problem. You need to figure out if your turtle is possibly sick, since any behavior change can be because of this. You should probably go and get some thermometers as soon as you can and find out. A simple probe thermometer or digital IR thermometer should allow for you to measure the temps. They aren't too expensive. I doubt it's a winter issue, I assure you Virginia is not getting as cold as it is here in NY (it's current 10 degrees out here), I assume you have a water heater, and you have the same wattage as I have, my lamp is about 6 inches away from the basking area and it's 88-90 degrees.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:01 pm

OK so he just swam around alittle and got on the dock, but his light goes off in about 20 minutes. Is it normal to stay in the water all day, sometimes? Hes back to swimming. I think hes hungry. Boy is he off schedule.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:05 pm

One more thing, should I change the light setting or does that matter? I have it set 830a to 930p with 1 hr 2 different times to cut off in between. Oh, and he is eating right now.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:40 pm

Ta-nee -- You need to invest in a thermometer. Your water needs to be at 78 degrees, your basking needs to be at 90 to 91 degrees. The turtles need lighting with uvb and a filter that pumps at least 5 times the volume of water in your tank. Turtles like the difference between the water temp and the basking temp. They need to bask and dry off to keep their shell and bones in good health.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:53 pm

I've noticed that if the water temp goes above 76F my two girls get lazy and just bask in the water......It's important to have a thermometer to measure the water and basking temps, they should be monitored regularly. A cheap digital aquarium thermometer will work fine.

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:24 am

I have a similar situation... one of my little guys, Wrigley is always sleeping in organic pet grass I bought from Petsmart. He doesn't come out unless I bring him out.

Should I be concern?

I have a 20Gal L tank. 1/3 is dedicated land for basking, and the remaining is water for swimming. There is more then plenty of room for everyone!

The water temp is maintained at 74 - 76, and the land is at 80 - 85.

I keep plenty of Anacharis for them to feed on... and I also feed them Shrimp and Krill....

I've had them for 3 mos., they have their first visit with the Vet in a couple of weeks... not many Vets here see turtles...?!?!

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:03 pm

daniela - You have 3 turtles in a 20 gallon tank?!? I don't care how "tiny" you think they are, I would imagine they are all at least 1-2", which means you need 30-60 gallons. Once they are full sized, they may need between 240-360 gallons, and that's if they can remain together without fighting. I would imagine that Wrigley is too passive to stay in the water and may even be being bullied by the other two.

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:42 pm

Hi... Thanks... I'm learning as I go...

According to Petsmart, I was told this should be sufficient for a little while... maybe a year, and of course I plan to upgrade as they get bigger.

I wouldn't say nor have I seen him get bullied... When I had first purchased them, I kept them in a 10gal tank... he actually kept very close to the others. He was alway ontop of, or near either Leo or Milo. I just recently added The Gang (very small) to see if they would eat them... only one so far!

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:00 pm

daniela there are many many many stories on here about turtles that lived together just fine until one day a massacre occurred. some are really horrible stories...

and i agree that 20 gallons is not nearly enough for 3 turtles even if they tiny. the petsmart people are morons.

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:22 pm

dan-la -- Most pet stores don't have a clue about turtles. If you listen to most of them you are putting your turtle’s lives in jeopardy. If you will question them for just a minute you will fine out. They know where the time clock is and maybe the bathroom and that is about it.

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:29 pm

lol... Thanks! I'm beginning to see that. Glad I stumbled onto this website!

I'm looking into purchasing a new tank... Good Grief! especially after I just spent mega moola on all their stuff... they're Spoiled!!!

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:30 pm

am I doing everything else right?!?! just need a bigger tank?!?!

General Care Discussion :: Normal??

Who is online