Habitat - Indoor :: Above tank basking area

[Lauriebeth83]

I bought my RES a little over 3 months ago at petsmart. When i got him he was about 4 inches long. He is now 5 inches and still growing. The lady that i talked to at petsmart showed me this starter kit for turtles. She told me the 29 gallon tank was plenty big enough and would last a really long time and it came with everything else, the heat and UVB lamps, filter, dock etc. Then i found this site and found out how much room he really needed but i don't exactly have the money to do a full upgrade just yet so i built an above tank basking area from plexi-glass so that i could completely fill his tank and give him a little more room til i can get the bigger tank. I finished it yesterday and just attatched it to his tank today. He seems to really love all the room in his tank now. He's been swimming around all day. But though he does show some interest in what's above his tank he has yet to go up to bask. Is there any way i could entice him to go up there or should i just give him a little more time?

[Starchick]

Check your temperatures, if the basking spot isn't enough warmer than the water he won't know to go up there. Generally they say to go 10 degrees warmer than the water but both my turtles love it at around 93-96.

Also, what's the floor of the basking spot made of? I recall someone on here making it of plexiglass and their turtles refused to use it. I used a peice of ceramic tile, others have used boards or those rough terrarium backgrounds.

If the temperature is right and you don't think the material is an issue, just give it some time. Maybe place him up there once or twice so he gets the idea, but it may take a while. When I got Napoleon a floating dock it took him 3 weeks to figure it out!

[SpotsMama]

It sounds nice! Yes - just give him a little time and he'll come to love it. A couple of other people on here have built nice above tank areas lately and it took days, but eventually their turtles got the hang of it.

[Lauriebeth83]

The temp is right at 90 and the bottom is plexi glass but i covered it with river stones. I thought that would be better for him. Also i put up a background on the sides and in the back for privacy but he still hasn't made it up there. I guess i should give him a lil more time. I can be very impatient and a huge worrier. Its just that i was so proud of myself for building it. I'm usually not that handy but with all the tips on this site it was pretty easy and it looks great. I'll just wait and see what happens tomorrow i guess but how long should i let him go without basking?

[SpotsMama]

I'm impressed that you built it! I built a little cover for part of my turtle's aquarium - nothing as elaborate as an above tank basking area - and went around with a smile on my face for about a week!

Why don't you give it four or five days - that won't hurt him. If he still won't go up come back and show us a photo and some of the people with experience can take a look a make suggestions. Sometimes turtles are particular about the ramp leading up to the basking platform and people with experience will know what they will probably like.

[Lauriebeth83]

Thanks Spotsmama. I will do that. I was just very unsure of how long he could go without basking before it really hurt him. But i think he'll be fine. He's been very skittish about everything since i got him so i'll give him some time. I'm sure he'll come around.

[Lauriebeth83]

Just wanted to let you all know the day after i posted this i found some poop on his new basking dock so i knew he had been up there. And since then he's been basking alot! Of course everytime i walk into the room he scurries into the water but i'm just glad he likes it. Thank you all once again for all your great advice.