General Care Discussion :: Eating aquarium sealant?

[Oliver'smom]

I noticed one of our turtles having some trouble maneuvering through the sides of the turtle log the other day...it was beginning to be a close fit, so I cut the middle divider out of each side. I don't know what I expected to be inside, but it's some kind of a foam material. I didn't want them exposed to that, so I used aquarium sealant to cover it up. I let it dry for 24 hours and put the log back in the aquarium. Immediately Theodore starts ripping at the aquarium sealant. My question is will he actually eat this sealant, or the foam if he gets down to it, or will he spit it out? They really miss their log! Did I have reason to be concerned in the first place? Are they smart enough not to get themselves wedged into something? They kept trying to squeeze behind the intake hose, so I took the suction cup off of it. They squeeze behind the driftwood, so I make sure it's far enough away from the sides of the aquarium they can slide by. If they won't wedge themselves I will just buy another log. It's like having toddlers...

[BullDog]

You're right, they do act like toddlers sometimes! Yes, if they're bored/hungry whatever, they can and will eat the aquarium sealant or foam. It's possible for them to become impacted from eating the foam or sealant. And they can wedge themselves into a small space and drown. If they keep biting at it, then it's time to take it out.

[Oliver'smom]

Thanks Bulldog. I took it out overnight, but put it back today 'with adult supervision'...lol. Anyway, I watched them for a couple hours and they didn't try chewing on it. I will watch for any torn/missing areas of sealant, and remove it for good. Without it I think they feel naked. They don't really have anywhere else to hide if startled.

[BullDog]

You've got a basking area, right?
You could look into a large floating plant.
I know a lot of people use this one (myself included!)
http://www.petco.com/product/108128/Exo ... Plant.aspx

It's a really good price (shouldn't be more than $10 for the large), and it's huge! I used to suction them down to the bottom, but a determined RES can pop it up in under half an hour. Now I just let them float freely around the tank. Both of my guys rest on it (though Frankie can sink it if she goes on top of it), and I've seen Ralph sleeping in/on his.

Only problem is that the leaves can be bitten off. I scooped another leaf (about the 3rd) from Ralph's tank the other day. Frankie pulled a couple of the branches right off, but they just pop back on.