Urgent Care :: My turtle sleeps and bask all day What should I do???

[Fukurokuju]

I have two turtles and recently i just put in their filter and UVA bulb. Now only one remains active while the other just sits atop the rock and sleeps and bask all day long. He never really moves even when the light goes out. I'm thinking it may be the bulb and that it doesn't provide adequite heating, because before the bulb i would bring their tank out to our terrace once a day to get sunlight and heat. Now i've replaced that with the bulb thinking it would do the job just as well. But now one of my turtles just refuses to be active. What should i do?

[amazingcc]

UVA is not sufficient for your turts! You need UVB! It's NOT the same.
It sounds like your turt is sick - what are your water/basking temps?

[Fukurokuju]

Honestly i do not know the exact tempts for the tank. I've been using common knowlegde or should i say educated guessing, that while inside the tank is around 70 degrees. While out side its around 80. I live in Miami.
I figured the bulb was not a particularly good source of heat. When i put my hand on the rock it shines on, i hardly feel a difference.

[marisa]

Your turtles need both a UVB light and a heat source over the basking area. The heat source can be a regular lightbulb. A UVB light is flourescent and doesn't provide adequate heat.

What is the water temp and basking area temp?

[CountryGirl68]

It's important that you get a thermometer for the tank water and basking area. Guessing the temp based on the air temperature will give you a false temperature.

[Fukurokuju]

I am a culinary student and have quite a few thermometers around i will check the temps and post them as soon as possible.

[amazingcc]

Hey - I live in Coral Springs (close toFort Lauderdale)! Your water temps need to be around 78 degrees, your basking temps should be around 88 - 90 degrees. You need to invest in two thermometers, and, please, don't do "educated guessing" when it comes to stuff like that! Your turt is COLD!
He's trying to bask and get warm, because your water is way to cold!

[missibsu]

I am a culinary student and have quite a few thermometers around i will check the temps and post them as soon as possible.

Please don't use that themometer in food again, at least without a heavy bleaching.

[Fukurokuju]

I'll probably never use it again....