Urgent Care :: New to Turtles!! Mine has eaten yet?

[Laineestar]

I have 2 REST. I got them on Sunday, set up the Tank and they don't really seem to much Interested in Eating yet? I figured it's because of them being in new Surrondings? I don't have Heater in the Tank. Just a light on Top. The ones with a hood. Do you think i should get a Heater? They seem fine. But i little Scared when you near the tank.


Thanks,.
Lainee

[missibsu]

It takes RES a period of adjustment before they will eat. However, that isn't to say that you don't need a heater. Do you know what your water temp is? If you have to hatchlings, you water temp needs to be at a steady 78F. Any fluxuation in water temp can lead to respritory illness. If the water is too cold, you turts won't want to eat, even once they get adjusted.

What kind of light do you have on top? Do you have UVB for your turts?

[Laineestar]

They semm to be doing a litle better today? I think they were eating last Night. I gave them Food before Bed and it's gone now? I am not sure what kind of Light it is? I talked to my brother because he had some RES in the past and he said the Water temp. is fine. But i should get a Heater in the Winter because our Dining room gets a Little Chilly. Thanks for the help?


Lainee

[CV Cream]

Yea i think you should get one. A 25 watt theo for a 10 gallon costs about 12 dollars i think. I don't know, does your water feel cold? Because w/o a heater, the water in my tank even a 77-78 room temp, the water would still be cold, and well below a 78 degrees.

[marisa]

Your turtles definitely need a water heater in the winter if it gets cool/cold where you are. If the water temp is too cool, they'll become inactive and won't want to eat as well as be susceptible to respiratory infections. For wattage figure on about 5 watts per gallon of water (a 50-watt heater for a fairly full 10-gallon tank, for example). Get a water heater that says it's fully submersible and one that you can adjust the temp on.

[Laineestar]

I got them Feeder Fish Today and the Big One Gulped One of them down so far. The little one don't seem to Interested? I got a Therm. and the Water is 72. Is that too Cold? They are very Active? I have a Fish tank Heater but i don't know if i can stick the whole thing or Water or not?

Lainee

[turtlesrock77]

Are they hatchlings? If so the water temp. should be about 78 degrees. For larger turtles it can be 72-75. The stickys in the Habitat- Indoor forum are very useful for this information. Does the heater say "submersible" on it? That means you can fully submerge it.

[Laineestar]

They are are A year and a Half? The Heater does not say anything about putting it totally in the Water? The Water is now about 75.

Lainee