Habitat - Indoor :: ideal temps?

[Starchick]

How do you deal with variations in temperature? My apartment does not seem to hold a steady air temperature, I have to run the heater at 86 to get the actual temp up to 72. Covering half of the top of my tank I can get the air temperature inside to about 75.

According to Austinsturtlepage.com, the ideal air temperature for a western painted is low 80's. How do you get that for your turtle without heating the whole house that high?

It also says on that site that the ideal water temperature is low to mid 70's. I keep mine at 78, and I'm reluctant to lower it any more because he had pnemonia when we got him and I think he might have another RI starting (don't worry, he's going to the vet)

I've also read that the air temperature shouldn't be lower than the water temperature. I'm not sure I can acheive that without lowering the water temp, which as I've said I have my doubts about. His basking spot is now about 93 (lots of changes in the tank, he actually basked a bit this morning so whatever temperature it is now I will try to match when I put everything back together) So he can get warm if he wants to, I'm just concerned about him breathing the cooler air that isn't right under the basking spot.

I'm sorry to dump all this unsorted information on you guys, but you've helped me a lot and I'm hoping someone will be able to explain it to me properly. I just worry a lot about my little buddy, I want him to get over the respiratory infections and I want to make sure I'm giving him an environment that won't lead to any more.

[marisa]

You have to set the heater at 86F just to get the water temp to reach 72F? I have to ask---do you live in an igloo (poor joke)---what temp do you keep your home at? I'm actually wondering about your water heater---what wattage and brand is it? What size tank do you have it in?

I have eastern painteds, which are probably more used to colder weather than western painteds. Their water temps average 71F, with the temp rising about a degree during the day and dropping to just under that at night (about 3/4 of their tanks are covered at night). Basking areas are about 87-88F. If you think your turtle is getting/still has an RI or is recovering from one, I'd keep the water temp as you have it, at least until he sees a vet.

Now that winter seems to have arrived here, and the room my painteds are in can be cool, I've started keeping a portion of the tank covered during the day as well (clear plastic). Since the room where your turtle is sounds very cold, you might want to construct some sort of cover to hold in the heat and keep them ambient air temp up.
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[Starchick]

Noooo, what I mean is that I have to set my apartment heater to 86 to get the ambient air temp up to 72. The water temperature isn't an issue other than a bit of variation just because I can't get the house temperature steady, but nothing more than 1 or 2 degrees.

Thanks for the advice, I hadn't thought of plastic as a covering but I suspect that'll work better than the towel I have on there now.

[marisa]

OK, reread your post and mistook your apt. heater for the water heater (sorry). If it's an older apt., and cold air is somehow getting into the room, can you find the source of the draft/s and plug it up? The windows in the room where my painteds are have been covered with those sheets of plastic you can buy to help insulate windows.

By plastic covering for the tank, I mean rigid plastic like Lexan (which most hardware stores sell).

[xsavingsaturdayx]

I never thought that the ambient temperature in a room can get them sick,my water stays at 79 degrees and doesnt lower no matter how cold my room is.My parents keep the house at 68 degrees (theyre basking temp is 93 degrees) they have been fine and healthy with the air conditioner on,where theyre tank is blocks out all cold drafts.Should i turn the air conditioner off or what?

[grey goose]

I'd keep them away from cold drafts, especially when they are young. Putting covers on the tank (not over the basking area) helps to hold in some of the warm air from the water and lights. It also keeps the humidity up and reduces condensation.
Mine are made from 1/4" acrylic....

[Starchick]

Ooh good point, I hadn't even thought about the fact that acrylic over the top would block some drafts. I'm definitely cutting some plexi at work on monday.