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Since setting up Gandalf's new tank about two weeks ago, he spends much more time basking than he did before. I figured out that the temp wasn't high enough in his previous setup to keep his interest. It's now around 86-87, and his water is 75. He loves the warmer basking area.
Should I be concerned, or is this normal? He's around 3 yrs old and about 5". Sometimes he's up there from 9am until after 2 or 3pm or more. After that, he usually just stays in the water, although his bask light is on a timer and stay on until 8pm, along with his UVB light.
Any insight is appreciated!

I was similarly concerned with my setup when the basking temp went up after adding more water to the tank so the dock was closer to the light. Tanner now basks alot more and his basking temp is 93 degrees (water is 74-75). I though that was too hot but apparently, Tanner loves it. I asked the vet and he said that the turtle will stay on his basking area to get warm and, once he's too warm, he'll go back in the water.

As long as Gandalf is going back in the water, I wouldn't worry.

I've been watching my big guy, Bozo for years and his basking routine begins promply at 6:30 AM, right after the light goes on. I've even got up early sometimes and caught him sitting in the water, leaning against the ramp waiting for the light to go on. I've played with the temps, but his sweet spot seems to be exactly 90F. He baskes for hours.....His water temps run between 73-75F.
My three little ones, on the other hand, seem to play follow the leader, if one goes to bask, the other two will follow, if one hops off to swim or graze, the other two jump in and do the same. At feeding time, it's every turtle for himself!

My turts usually don't start to bask until after they've eaten. Basking time during the day varies, but they often like to bask in the early evening (and often get caught on their basking areas when the lights go off).

Gandalf hangs on the front of his basking area, waiting, a few minutes before the light comes on too. I feed him after the lights come on, but he just sits up there watching me, and doesn't go in to eat until the late afternoon. I guess I found his "sweet spot" too then!
That's really cute about your follow-the-leader turts, Grey Goose! It would be funny to see a video of that!

Forgot: I don't feed him in the morning anymore, since he doesn't want it right away. I wait until later when I see him back in the water scavaging at the bottom for scraps. It's funny how turtles prefer so many different routines
for each of them, and how long it takes us to figure it all out. lol

I put out greens first thing in the morning, Bozo knows its not going anywhere, so he just basks. The babies usually scarf 'em down, then talk among themselves about what to do next. I'm just so happy they are all getting along...so far.

grey goose wrote:The babies usually scarf 'em down, then talk among themselves about what to do next.

Very funny! I can actually picture them doing that, lol.

Thanks everyone for the input, much appreciated!

Shavannah wrote:

grey goose wrote:The babies usually scarf 'em down, then talk among themselves about what to do next.

Very funny! I can actually picture them doing that, lol.

Thats one of the great things about having baby turts! Watching them trying to figure out their own routine.