Habitat - Indoor :: they won't bask and i've tried everything!

[murtle and thomas]

Ok maybe i'm getting really impatient...but i got this new basking light (60W) and they have a UVA lamp and big basking area...

Murtle has gone up there before, but Thomas hasn't basked since we got him in April last year! Apparently they have fungus on them (probably from not basking enough) so now i have to take them to the vet.

I've tried putting them up there, Thomas gets too scared and runs back into the water, its warmer than the water, i don't know what i'm doing wrong. How come in the pet shops all the little turtles are basking all the time, and they don't get scared by everyone?

Any recommendations?

Here is their basking area (but since this photo i have put a heat lamp on as well about 20cm away (as described above).



I'm getting really frustrated here people.

P.s Thomas climbs onto his floating log (which is not under the lamp)!!! plus he only stays on there for a little while, not long enough to get dry.

[LOBO]

what are the basking area and water temps?

[murtle and thomas]

the air above is about 25 degrees and the water is about 28 degrees today which is ridiculous because the water heater is only on 24 degrees for a start...only part of the basking area is covered maybe thats why the heat is escaping, i'm going to go down and buy a plastic sheet thing that i can put over the tank to keep air humid etc

I know its spose to be 10 degrees higher, its difficult though.

The tank is too big to put glass over the top and is also impractical as we get them out alot.

If this doesn't work i'm going to scream.

[dawn9800]

Hes probably just shy, how long have you had him? I didnt see monday bask for a while after I got her and I have had her 6 months now and its just getting to the point she does notfreak out and jump down when I comein ( I have to move real slow and quiet like)

the air is 25 degrees? thats really really cold are you sure about that?

[Bascomb]

dawn-98 -- I have found the difference is key to them basking. Generally speaking, the water temp. at 78 and the basking at 90 will do it. I have had one experience where I lowered the water temp. , slowly, to 75 and the basking to 92 and that did it. That is just my experience and it may work for you.

[megcornell]

Also, why are you taking them out so much? Hatchlings are pretty delicate and shouldn't really be handled that often unless they need to be for antibiotics or other reasons.
But the main issue I see is the lack of temperature gradient. Turtles go out to bask because its warmer, if the water is warmer than the land they won't leave the water.

[SpotsMama]

May I ask a question? You said in your intro that you have a basking light (60 watts) and a UVA light. Did you mean to say UVB instead of UVA? If all the second bulb is providing is UVA, then it won't work. If you're not sure - can you tell us the brand and strength of the bulb? Is is a compact fluorescent (spiral shaped or tubuler) or is it shaped like a regular light bulb?

[LOBO]

the air is 25 degrees? thats really really cold are you sure about that?

im thinking maybe they r measuring in celcious

[megcornell]

Can they access the basking area easily? From the picture I cannot tell how they get on and off of it.

[murtle and thomas]

Yes sorry i am measuring in Celsius, I live in Dunedin (bottom of the South Island) in New Zealand.

Well fantastic news everyone, i went and got this plastic sheet from a plastics place and put it over the top of the huge tank, over the heat lamp and UV etc which increased the temp and now Thomas spends more time up there instead of the water!! even when we're in the room.

Murtle also goes up there! yay. Temp above water now reaches about 30 - 34 degrees celsius and water about 24, thank-god finally!!

Yea they can access it from the ramp and there is enough room for both of them, initially Murtle tried to block Thomas from going up there (as she does) but he pushed his way through and now has grown some balls, and some respect!

Thanks for your help.