General Care Discussion :: Help! Turtle Eating Inappropriate Things!

[SpotsMama]

No algae in the corners - at least that I can see. So did you remove the algae and then your turtle stopped going after the silicone?

Crazy turtles? Sounds redundant to me!

After having spent the night in his big rubber tub, Spot seems to have (for the time being) forgotten about the silicone. I'll hurry up with his outside pond. Being outside will give him plenty to do.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Sounds like Spot is bored. I think you did the right thing by taking him for little walks outdoors....it's the same thing I have to do for Sheba when she gets in her weird spring mood.

Sheba goes thru funky spring-fever phases every year when it starts to get nice/sunny outside. In her case, she moves & pushes things around the tank (turtle feng shui ). Her tree root is now on the other side of the tank (under the basking platform). She has enough room to sit on the tree root, but still under the platform ("roof"). All the rocks are on that end of the tank too. It's very strange, but I know she is just getting antsy & that I need to start taking her for little walks daily. It hasn't quite been warm enough yet though. I always wait till the temp outdoors is a minimum 70 degrees with lots of sun.

[SpotsMama]

Yes, I'd say Spot's acting bored. He wants to be entertained. He's just like a kid. I need to let him outside to play to burn off his excess energy!

[industrial_girl_2000]

Yes, I'd say Spot's acting bored. He wants to be entertained. He's just like a kid. I need to let him outside to play to burn off his excess energy!

Yup! If you lived close by, I'd say you could come over so spot could play in my big yard with Sheba, LOL!

[octpusgirl8]

Aww a playdate how cute would that be?!?

[SpotsMama]

They would have to be chaperoned of course. I wouldn't trust those two frisky turtles alone!

[industrial_girl_2000]

They would have to be chaperoned of course. I wouldn't trust those two frisky turtles alone!

LOL!!!!

[camee1991]

That is too strange Spotsmama! My aquarium has a BIG bite out of the silicone also! Its on the side she sleeps under water in?! I havent seen more and it is not leaking (so far)...I guess I will have to re-silicone it soon and think about some of the suggestions here also!

[SpotsMama]

That's interesting that your silicone has a bite out of it too! What is with these turtles?!? I'm scared to death I'll wake up in the morning and find 60 gallons of turtle water all over my nice new carpet!

[DavidY]

There's silicone in the space between the glass panels. That's what's really holding the tank together. The extra silicone in the corners is added insurance to prevent leaks in case there's a poor seal somewhere. As long as the tank was built properly, the turtle shouldn't be able to cause a sudden major leak by biting the silicone inside the tank. It would most likely be a slow leak if anything. Now, if you believe in Mr. Murphy, this doesn't apply.

[SpotsMama]

That gives me some comfort. It would be too awful if this tank suddenly gave way.

When I get Spot outside, I'll drain and dry the tank and put some additional silicone along the edges for reinforcement. Do you think that would be a good idea?

[DavidY]

If you do that you will need to let the silicone cure for 24 hours (read the directions, i think it's 24 hours) before you can fill it with water again. Also make sure the area is really really clean and dry before applying the silicone.

[SpotsMama]

Ok.

[marisa]

I use All-Glass silicone, and I'm pretty sure it's better to wait 48 hours before using the tank (which wouldn't be a problem if Spot's outside).

[SpotsMama]

Ok. There will be no rush as you say. I can wait a week.