General Care Discussion :: RES not basking

[RedZz]

Hi,

I recently made a post about my female red eared slider wheezing while basking. Well, now she just doesn't bask at all.

I assumed at first that it was before she was getting used to her new tank (60 gallons), but it's been about a month and she doesn't go on her basking platform. If pictures are needed, I will provide them.

Thanks!

[steve]

Any other symptoms? Is this a different styled basking platform?

[RedZz]

Any other symptoms? Is this a different styled basking platform?

That's the only symptom. It's the same basking platform, just a bigger size.

[steve]

So she's not wheezing anymore? What's the basking temp, sometimes they don't know right away where the heat it. In addition, maybe cover the side so she gets some more privacy. Leave a little food up there so you know if she's going up when you're not there to observe.

[RedZz]

So she's not wheezing anymore? What's the basking temp, sometimes they don't know right away where the heat it. In addition, maybe cover the side so she gets some more privacy. Leave a little food up there so you know if she's going up when you're not there to observe.

Oh, it turns out she wasn't wheezing, she was just hissing at me. I don't have a thermometer so where can i buy them?

[steve]

If the turt is overweight and/or was expending a lot of energy (long swim), then you might hear some wheezing. For thermometers, they are pretty cheap. For the water, I like to have one thats a lcd strip (don't buy the cheap digital probe thingy) that goes on the outside of the tank. For more accurate readings, I use a temp gun for water and basking areas. There are others you can use for the basking area, just make sure it's not left in the tank when you're finished.

[RedZz]

If the turt is overweight and/or was expending a lot of energy (long swim), then you might hear some wheezing. For thermometers, they are pretty cheap. For the water, I like to have one thats a lcd strip (don't buy the cheap digital probe thingy) that goes on the outside of the tank. For more accurate readings, I use a temp gun for water and basking areas. There are others you can use for the basking area, just make sure it's not left in the tank when you're finished.

Could you send me a link to some?

[steve]

lcd: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=32373
glass: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=3921 (I don't like leaving these in tanks with aggressive turtles)
temp gun: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=30090

[ljapa]

It's the same basking platform, just a bigger size.

Our RES hates any changes related to basking platform. She usually takes a few days to try afterwards.

The most recent change was a new tank, with identical basking platform and light. That took three days.

[RedZz]

It's the same basking platform, just a bigger size.

Our RES hates any changes related to basking platform. She usually takes a few days to try afterwards.

The most recent change was a new tank, with identical basking platform and light. That took three days.

Yeah, but it's been over a month and she still doesn't like basking.

lcd: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=32373
glass: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=3921 (I don't like leaving these in tanks with aggressive turtles)
temp gun: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=30090

I put some food on her basking platform, she went up to eat it. After she gets it, she jumps back into the water. So, she can get up to it, she just doesn't want to.

[steve]

Does she have any privacy?

[ljapa]

Sorry, I didn't realize it had been a month.

Did the distance for the lights change much with the move? Is the basking temp still warm enough? How old is the UVB?

A RES needs both heat and UVB to bask. The UVB lights can wear out long before they stop working.

It's good that you tried the food and know she can get up. Any chance she's basking when no one is around?

[RedZz]

Sorry, I didn't realize it had been a month.

Did the distance for the lights change much with the move? Is the basking temp still warm enough? How old is the UVB?

A RES needs both heat and UVB to bask. The UVB lights can wear out long before they stop working.

It's good that you tried the food and know she can get up. Any chance she's basking when no one is around?

The UVB light is a month old. I have both a heat lamp and a UVB lamp. I still haven't gotten a thermometer.

Does she have any privacy?

She isn't bothered much if that's what you mean.