Habitat - Indoor :: Water Temp and Heaters...

[GPRenegade]

I live in sunny California and the temperature in my RES's tank never drops below 70 degrees even during the winter. Can I saftely ignore water heaters alltogether?

-Brian

[missibsu]

For someone who lives in a warmer climate, a heater is more for keeping the water temp stable. Even if the water temp never drops to dangerous levels, the fluxuating temp can lead to sickness.

[shakybonez]

I also live in So Cal and I just purchesed my first turtle today, I think I made a mistake by buying a "kit" tank though. The water is not real cold but reading this site I think its too cold I've seen it should be at 70-80 is this going to hurt for a couple days till i get a heater or will he be ok? Or do I really need a heater? I live close to the beach so it goes from like 60-110 outside temperaturebut my house is set at 78 is this too cold as far as his water is concerned? thanks for the help

[missibsu]

i would give the same advice I gave above. You don't want fluxuating temps in your water, that's what lealds to illness. I'd try to keep your water temps as stable as possible, 78F for hatchlings and around 75F for older RES. Hatchlings are more prone to getting sick than adult RES.

[cam722]

I live in sunny California and the temperature in my RES's tank never drops below 70 degrees even during the winter. Can I saftely ignore water heaters alltogether?

-Brian

Even if the water temp never goes below 70.. 70 can be a dangerous temperature for young turtles. It will make them lethargic and not wanting to eat. You really should maintain a stable temperature as Missi said.