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hey guys... I have 2 res both are 7 months old. recently i setup new tank for them. its around 30 gallon. they are happy in new home. but the problem is that when me or any other my family member entered in the living room (tank location) they just jump off in the water. they are just get scared. i know they are basked, but in my living room is occupied with my family members all the time, so my RES don't get any privacy to bask. they are very shy. today i was at home and i did not catch them on basking area. and i don't have any other place to shift my tank.


basking area easy to climb, temperature, heater, filter, water level all are correct.

help me. thank you.

well if they are anything like some of my guys and gals, it may take them a while to get comfortable basking while people are in the room. my res flash for the longest time would jump as soon as he seen me or anyone else. now i can walk right up to the glass and he just looks at me like what im now getting down. but if my wife gos near the tank he will run to the water like mad. i would just give it time for them to get comfortable basking in front of you.

i just covered that basking area glass by side with aquarium scenario paper.. hope they like that artificial atmospheres. hope this ill work.

Aashish hope that works out for you! It is totally normal though, they get their name from sliding into the water if they sense any movement. Natural instinct

yeah right.

What is the height of the basking platform relative to the people in the room? My experience has been that when people moving around the room are higher (to the turtles higher means BIGGER and more threatening) the turtles are more wary about basking "in public". The lower the turtles, the higher/BIGGER people look to them and the more wary they are and prone to crash dive at the slightest movement. Conversely, the higher the basking platform the less concerned about people they seem to be. Also, they seem to like being able to look all around. The basking platform in my aquarium is about 5 feet off the floor and my turtles will even let me pet them while basking. They don't show the slightest concern about anyone in the room or when messing with the aquarium; they want to help. I can even pour water into the aquarium over the basking platform and they stay put unless they get splashed!

Of course, we've had these turtles since they were all babies and have handled them daily, so they are accustomed to the wife and I being around, handling them and talking to them. I'm sure that helps them feel safe, too. They are also more cautious when someone they don't know or whose voice they don't recognize is present.

I have two red eared sliders and one will bask no matter who walks into the room, I think she realized that she is safe in her tank, but the boy turtle will dive into the water whenever any stranger walks into the room and if even sometimes when I walk into the room depending on how fast I walk in. Luckily they get plenty of alone time to do whatever they feel.

If you want to look into it you can make an above tank basking platform (if you don't already have one), depending on how you build it they could have a little more privacy when basking and it would give them more swimming room. If you really want to see them while they are basking you could just black out 3 of the sides and just use plexi glass or screen for the front so they would still be viewable.