General Care Discussion :: Basking problems

[srwlml23]

hi, i'm new so unsure if this is the right place to post,

i have just moved Sam n Ella (YBS) into a new larger indoor tank 3ft, and built a new basking area with a land area surrounded by sand with the water just coming up a little on the sand for easy access. they have been in there new tank for over 24 hour but will not go up and bask, i have just bought a new uv light just to make sure it was not that but they still wont go up

can anyone help me asap please, pics available if need be... Thanks Stu

[Daniel3507]

they are just getting used to the new environment. its very common for a turtle to not bask for awhile when they are in a new environment. just give them some time

[srwlml23]

I was hoping that would be it, but really its only the size that has changed i have left it pretty much the same, could there be another contributing factor

[BullDog]

Well, the biggest thing is that they will take a while to adjust to the new environment, like Daniel said.

But you can also double check the basking temperature. You'll want the basking temp to be about 10*F warmer than the water.

[srwlml23]

i'm still on the learing side of things, what the best way to go about this

[Kemul]

Well, after making sure that the temperatures are in range, all you need to do is: wait

[octpusgirl8]

To check the basking temp, place a thermometer on the basking area (with the basking light on of course) and wait a few minutes to see how warm it is. You can use a digital thermometer or a regular kind, but don't use the little strip kind, they aren't very accurate at all.

[srwlml23]

thanx all for the help i'do that and get back

[steve]

Just a reminder, a florescent UVB light will not entice them to bask. Warmth would, which is why the basking area should be roughly 10F warmer than the water.

[srwlml23]

really unsure if i'm doing something wrong Sam n Ella still wont bask, in the smaller tank they always sat on the island and i never had a basking light, but now with the big tank they never come up just stay in one corner both together So with advise from some on here i got a basking light (60 watt from tesco normal house bulb with the screw end) and put that on say 6" from the island it gets nice and warm but still they don't come. am i doing something wrong

[srwlml23]

is the set up ok

[steve]

Looks nice but you need to lose the gravel. You still need a basking light because it will provide heat and warmth over the basking area. It also balances out the UVB light, which is a very cold color.

[srwlml23]

instead of gravel what would be best, i have now put a basking light in as above its a 60 bulb its been in there now 48 hours on all day 9 till 9 then both lights go off 9 pm, but they still wont go up its been over 72 hours now that they have not basked

[octpusgirl8]

A bare bottom on the tank is fine. You can also use a few river rocks (too many will trap debris) or sand. Have you measured the temp of the basking area yet? It needs to be about 10 degrees warmer than the water to entice them to bask.

[srwlml23]

i have not got a temp gauge yet but it is far warmer than the water. Is it a must that the gravel should go, not only am i trying to give the turtles a good home, but it also has to look nice