General Care Discussion

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:33 pm **got a new tank, now he won't bask!**

Ok, so I upgraded the tank of my little turtle to a 20gal (I know, it's still not big enough, but right now that's going to have to be big enough because of where he is, and he seems happy enough) and I have a turtle log he was using before to bask, but it won't stay put in one place for him to bask, so I got him a floating turtle dock. He'll get on top of the log, but has yet to get on to of the backing island thing! I took the log out in hopes that he would get up on the rock, but he still hasn't... silly turtle... I got a heater too, which helped because the temp didn't get to below 70 last night (it's one of those reptile heaters) when it has been getting to 65. He's scared of me too! He wasn't as scared of me until I moved him into the larger enclosure, but even when I hold still and sleep on my bed he still won't get up on his basking platform. Do you guys have any suggestions? should just go ahead and put his favorite log back in and not worry if he basks in the basking end of the tank?

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:45 pm

He is just getting used to his new surroundings. You really need to get that temperature up though. Probably around 78 degrees. He will bask as long as you have your basking area temperature up to about 90 degrees.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:26 pm

The highest I've been able to maintain the tank at is 75. I live in a cold place, and the room he is in is a little cooler as well (my bedroom) since my room mate insists on turning the heat down because her room is always "hot". It's been an ongoing strugle...

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:03 pm

Is the reptile heater an in water heater? If not, you'll want an in water heater.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:30 pm

Yeah, a water heater is what you need. They are only around 20 bucks I think.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:43 pm

hahaha, yay! I came home and caught him basking on the basking rock! He promptly slid off his rock and hid from me... he still doesn't like me... but hey, at least I know he is basking!

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:00 pm

Thats good news! Make sure your temps are warm enough or you'll be risking a respiratory infection.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:00 pm

if the water temp is 76 for most of the day, except at night, is that good enough? oh, and the turtle keeps trying to take bites on the thermometer that I bought, is that ok?

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:33 pm

No, its not good enough. Sorry, you need a heater. I would take out the thermometer. I wouldnt want a mouth full of broken glass, and I dont think your turtle would either.

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:42 am

It's a digital thermometer, so the end he keeps tryiing to much on is plastic.

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:44 am

Yeah, i dunno, but you probably really need a water heater.

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:35 pm

guys speedy throw bites thermometer too...

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:12 am

I bought him a submergable heater that's got a plastic cover around it so he can't get to it that's specific for turtles that I got for about $15 at pet smart thats set at 78 degrees F by default. I also got him a UVB light

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:08 am

It takes time . For them to bask in new places . Plus are you sure he is not basking ?

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:29 pm

Rosepruner wrote:I bought him a submergable heater that's got a plastic cover around it so he can't get to it that's specific for turtles that I got for about $15 at pet smart thats set at 78 degrees F by default. I also got him a UVB light

Good news!!

They might just be sliding themselves off before you can see them. They get startled pretty easy. Especially at first.

General Care Discussion :: got a new tank, now he won't bask!

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