General Care Discussion :: More basking touble.

[joeybsmooth]

My turtle is not basking. There are two ramps in the tank .

One Ramp had the light , and the other ramp was just there to help him get out of the water. He use to claim up on the one that did not have a light on it. So I moved the light to the ramp that he did go to.. but now he does not claim up that one any more.

[SpotsMama]

What sort of light bulbs are you using - brand name and strength?

[joeybsmooth]

I use this one



And for the heat on I am not sure .

[SpotsMama]

Some compact fluorescent UVB bulbs are know to cause eye irritation and turtles tend to avoid basking under them. However, that tube fluorescent is a very good one and shouldn't be causing problems at all.

From what you say it does sound like your turtle is avoiding the light. Perhaps there's a problem with the heat bulb. I'm assuming that's the one that you moved - correct? Maybe it's too strong or too hot. Have you measured the temperature where he's basking? Are you using a regular household incandescent bulb for heat or is it a special bulb from the pet store?

Is the UVB bulb shining down equally on both basking areas? How far above the basking area is it?

[joeybsmooth]

I'm assuming that's the one that you moved - correct?

Yes

Maybe it's too strong or too hot. Have you measured the temperature where he's basking?

In the 90s

Are you using a regular household incandescent bulb for heat or is it a special bulb from the pet store?

Pet store

Is the UVB bulb shining down equally on both basking areas?

No,the on with the heat lamb over is at a small angel , and it is about 8 inchs from the dock.

PS thanks for the help.

[SpotsMama]

Try substituting a regular household bulb - 60 or 75 watts - for the heat bulb. Sometimes certain frequencies of light are irritating to a turtle's eyes but a household bulb shouldn't be a problem.

Also, the temp may be too warm for your turtle. Kind of like with everything else, individual turtles have their temperature preferences. Some like it warmer, some cooler. You can experiment moving the heat bulb a little further away until you find just the perfect distance for your turtle's taste.

[joeybsmooth]

how about if when I move him to eat, I force him to dry off. Good or bad?

[VanishingReality]

Has he ever basked before? Could it be the basking area he doesn't like?

When he was younger my turtle wouldn't bask but now he does every morning before everyone gets up. Even when his heat bulb burned out and we had to go to the store to buy another he still climbed up there. Mine refused until we got him a acrylic one and now he loves it!

[SpotsMama]

It takes quite a while for a shell to dry completely. It won't happen in just a few minutes.

[steve]

Have you tried covering the sides of the tank? They might need more privacy than you think.

[joeybsmooth]

To VanishingReality He has basked before. The ramp that is up there now , he use to bask on , until I put a proper light up there.

To Mama.. So you don't suggest me taking him out and manulary letting him cry out?

I dont think that it is a privacy thing thing Steve, Before I had a proper light he would climb up the ramp and stay up there all day... Edit to add

Now that I think about one does hid all day long.

[Arisu]

is this your first time using a UVB bulb? could it be that hes not used to proper lighting?