redearslider.com

We have a res that is about the size of a half dollar. I have one of the long tube lights uva/uvb. I thought that was all I really needed. Also I did not have a water heater. I noticed the other day the room was very cold and he was barely moving but was still alive. We immediately went out and got a water heater and a heat light bulb(the red one). The water was at 60 degrees which I did not realize it would ever get that cold. Now the water is mid 70’s. I have him out of the water on a rock with the light above him. I went up a few hours later to check on him and he was floating upside down. I pulled him out of the water and put him back on the rock. I thought he was dead but he moved very little. As of now he has been on his rock under the heat light for over 24 hours. At this point I can not tell if he is dead or very deep in hibernation. There was times I thought he was dead to find out he was still alive. If it is dead my niece wants to barry him but I don’t want to do that in case he is still alive. I honestly can not tell. Is there any way to tell? I know it sounds so stupid and im sorry but I just don’t know and this is our first turtle. I don’t know if it matters but we have had him since may. Thanks in advance.

If he has passed, his eyes would sink in and his limbs would stiffen. I'm sorry that you and your family are going through this

So sorry,
If he's stiff (rigor mortis) he's gone.

thanks guys I appreciate it. I believe that is what he looks like but I will have my dad check to be sure. Also eventually my niece wants to get another but I know I need to sanitize everything but how do I do that? Thanks guys for all your help it is greatly appreciated. I found my new favorite forum for turtles and I will come here from now on:)

So sorry about your loss.

Feel better soon.

To sanitize, you can just just throughly clean with water and vinegar. Be sure to replace filter media. If you want to go a step further and disinfect, you can dilute bleach (about 2oz per gallon of water), rinse again and let it dry out for a couple of days.

thank you. Now i plan on disinfecting all the rocks and such and syphoning as much water out as i can. But the problem is is that its a 30 gallon tank which is very heavy is it ok to leave minimal water in there? Like what I cant syphon out? or do I need to sanitize the whole tank? Im just trying to figure out the simplest way to do it since the tank is so heavy. I don't wanna risk carrying it and dropping it. We plan on barrying the turtle tonight. It was to dark to do it last night.

Yes, please make sure the tank is empty of water and any decoration or accessory before moving it.

If you can't siphon everything out, then just rinse everything out a few times... don't use bleach. You should also invest in a kit, like the "Python" that drains and refills the tank (you can also buy off the shelf parts to make your own).

ok great now is it ok to use bleach and water mixture on the rocks, fake plants etc.?

Yes, just take it out of the tank and rinse it and let it dry. I would skip the bleach altogether in this case.

Ok thanks I really appreciate all your help. This was our first turtle so I am new to all of this so I appreciate your understanding. So just hot water is fine then?

Warm, not hot water. A 30 gallon doesn't have very thick glass or thick applications of silicone.