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My turtles, for the first time, have a pretty decent set-up. They are finally able to swim freely and bask in all their water, since you all convinced me more is better. Anyway, the water temperature is about 75 degress and is pretty warm. The basking is about 85 degrees. But they are agressivley basking. They get up and stay there for a while, but I am now noticing that they are jumping in and then getting back up, atleast one of them is. I just fed them some food and they got out and ate. The 1.5 inch turtle swam a little bit, but the smaller one got right back up on the dock. I don't know if this is normal or not.

RES are very aggressive baskers. Adults will bask for hours, if not all day. However, babies may need the water to be a little warmer....what was the water temp in the old setup? I'd say 76F should be the minimum for hatchlings (76-78). I keep my basking area at 90F.

I don't know why that smiley pops up every time I type 8....Hmmm didn't do it that time. 8888888 78 78 78
Well anyway that should read 76-78F.

Well, my thermometer is reading 78 degrees in the water, and i put it in the basking area and it is around 85 degrees. Thanks for the help, and actually, I think it's going to be OK because they stay half in the water sometimes, and the smaller turtle likes to hang off the side. I don't know the temperature in the old set up, it was very inadequate, in my opinion. I didn't even have a thermometer in the old one, but they are much more active in this warmer tank.

The only strange thing is that the larger turtle keeps kicking his legs out and kind of does a superman pose, but he kicks his legs out, not really at the smaller turtle, but maybe he is just spacing out.

The kicking, head bobbing, and general spazzing when basking is a good sign! I think they are trying to shake off the dead skin as it dries....

grey goose wrote:The kicking, head bobbing, and general spazzing when basking is a good sign! I think they are trying to shake off the dead skin as it dries....

Thanks! I had no idea, and it seemed as if he was enjoying himself even more with a nice basking area. I am so excited to finally have a nice set-up!

There is a little scale thing hanging off him...should I be concerned. It is on the side if his shell and I think he is interested in pushing it off.

On his shell? probably just shedding a scute, no big deal, it'll come off on its own....

grey goose wrote:I don't know why that smiley pops up every time I type 8....Hmmm didn't do it that time. 8888888 78 78 78
Well anyway that should read 76-78F.

LOL Your funny!! That smiley "pops" up when you type an 8 followed by an ). So I can put 8 ) and nothing happens(notice the space I put in between 8_)). But if I where to put the 8 right next to the ) then this is what happens .

Get it? or am I just sounding dumb to you?

Oh no,I get it. i thought it was my keyboard....