Habitat - Indoor :: New setup basking area

[sarahe]

I've had my RES since last August and recently added another one so I bought a 10gal reptile tank setup from Petsmart and they seem to love it. I have filled the tank over half way, have a filter, hiding place etc but I also purchased a basking area that looks like rock and attaches to the sides with suckers. My question is they have been in the new setup for over 5 days now and I haven't yet caught them out on the basking area should I be concerned?

[LurycNitsuj]

well, you shouldnt be concerned, it takes them a while sometimes to get used to new setups. But one thing to be concerned about is only having a 10 gallon tank. That 10 gallon tank is not nearly even big enough for one of your turtles, let alone two.

[TheComputerGremlin]

You can try placing some food up there and seeing if it disappears. Many turtles are just timid baskers. Even my turtle dives back into the water if anyone sees him up on the basking spot.

I agree with the concern about the 10 gallon tank. You have two turtles, which means that eventually, you'll be needing either a 120 gallon tank or two 55-75 gallon tanks, once the turtles are full grown. They can survive for a little while in the small tank, but you need to start saving up money for a bigger one, the biggest one you can afford! That will save in the long run, not having to constantly upgrade.

You also probably want to stay away from the reptile tanks, since you have aquatic turtles, they are closer to fish than reptiles, they need a solid watertight tank. You'll also need other items for your setup, which you didn't mention, like UVB lighting, filtration, and water heater.

[sarahe]

thank you both for the advice on the basking area.
Yes I agree on the size of the tank both turtles are still quite small (1 is about 2 inches the other about 4 inches) so I will definately get them a larger tank in the near future. I bought a aquatic turtle habitat kit along with the tank that has a filter, thermometer, and clamp lamp and the temp of the tank seems to be around 75 degrees does that sound right? However I did pick up one of the water heater pads that goes under the tank is that necessary? I didn't buy it but they are not expensive so I can go back and get it.

[megcornell]

You shouldn't use under tank heaters with aquariums, they aren't made for exposure to water and therefore are very dangerous for turtle tanks.

75 is okay for a tank. Since they are young turtles you can boost the water to 78.

[BullDog]

I also agree with the 10 gallon tank concerns.

The other thing is make sure you keep a close eye on the bigger one. A larger, established RES is often very territorial, and could seriously injure the new, smaller one, even it it wasn't on purpose.

[mikee]

Sar-he -- If you start buying things that fit a 10 gallon tank you are going to get into the, up buying, that most of us have had to endure when our turtles get larger. As for you turtles basking all the time I would not worry about it. Do you have a uvb light? I do not recommend a heater pad. They are inefficient and may have hot spots. I suggest you get a regular heater and get a guard for it. Your filter/pump will keep the water circulating and warm evenly.