Habitat - Indoor :: Temperature?

[Sarah89]

I have recently purchased my first ever RES for my boyfriend and I. He is about the size of a halfdollar, and we have him in a ten gallon tank. I am not too worried about the size of the tank at this moment, but know I should invest in a larger one. For lighting we have a 75 watt Infarared Nocturnal Heat light with clamp fixture as well as a 8.0 UVA light. In the tank we have a Floating Mini-Dock ( Zoo Med) which seems to suit him just fine. We have also included large pepple substrate, as well as a water filter that works for up to 30 gallons (TetraFauna) and a Submersible Aquatic Reptile Heater ( TetraFauna). On the packaging of the heater it does not specify wattage, but claims to keep up to 30 gallons at a constant 78 degrees. I am not sure if the heater is working. I do not have a thermometer at this time, but the water feels a little less than warm to my touch. I also have a space heater a few feet away from his tank, but I am not sure it is enough. It gets cold here in Connecticut in the winter. I am just not sure if i should buy a new heater, different brand, certain wattage, or if he is just fine the way he is? I don't want him to freeze, but i do not want to boil him either. He does swim quite a bit, basks beneath his heat lamp, and eats regularly. Any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated. (:

[emma]

You should get a thermometer as soon as you can. A good heater would be a stealth heater. They shut off automatically when they reach the right temp. and they can not burn or hurt your turtle. You can get them really cheap at www.bigalsonline.com

[FLhaven4strays]

Do you have an instant read kitchen thermometer? (like for meat) That will tell you in a moment how warm the water is and will do for periodic testing until you purchase an aquarium therm....which is really not expensive at all.

I was convinced that the water in the pond was too cold, but when I used my kitchen therm it read 77. The next day I put an underwater therm in & it said the same thing. I think since we're 98 degrees 75-80 feels pretty cool.