General Care Discussion :: New basking area, no basking

[2babyres]

I remodeled my Turt's tank and placed her back in it on Monday i have not seen here yet up on the new basking area. Basking temp 92, water temp 72, easy climb up the ramp but still nothing. I've seen her on the ramp looking at the basking area but havent seen her up there yet, I placed her at the top of the ramp to show her yesterday and she turned back around and went swimming again.

Anything I can do to intice her to venture up there? Or for me to know if she was up there while I was at work?

Link to thread with tank remodel:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14456

Here's a pic of the basking area:

[N4784N R4613]

It could take up to a week for her to get used to it. Heat is what entices them to bask, if they get on the ramp, but don't feel any heat, theres no point in going up. To speed things up, you could put the heat lamp closer to the ramp, and as soon as you see her basking, slowly move it back to where you want her to bask(over the course of 4 to 6 days) and she should fellow the heat.

Good luck, and let us know how things work out!

Nathan.

EDIT: Oh yeah I forgot, if you want to see what she is doing at work, you could set-up a web-cam! I know of a few people on this forum that have done this.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Put some food up there, like salmon or something, and see if it disappears. Don't let her see you put it up there, though, that way you'll know she found it on her own. I've had my turtle in his new tank for almost a month now and I've only seen him bask maybe 5 times. They are covert little things. And I think your water temp should be a little higher, maybe 75-78. It might be uncomfortable to leave the water and move to such a higher temp because the water temp is too low.

It really is a lovely basking area, though!!

[2babyres]

Ok I'll try one then the other thanks for the suggestions.

I'll raise the water temp tonight as well. Thanks again

[grey goose]

Nice basking area! What I do is place a small piece of cuttlebone right in the center of the basking light. If it's moved, you know he's been secretly basking. Some turts are more cautious than others, but he'll be up there soon enough.

[2babyres]

Came home yesterday and she was basking, all dry and comfortable. I cought her a few times over the weekend wet because she just got up there.

I moved the light last night more twords the middle, I'll keep an eye out to see if she moves with the light, looks like she is warming up to the new basking area. She seemed more secure up there compared to my old setup because I was walking around in the room she is in and she just stayed basking, she used to do an olympic dive into the water.

[N4784N R4613]

Alright!! Nice job!!!

Keep us updated!!

Nathan.

[Phyxius]

One of the most beautiful basking areas i have ever seen