All Turtles Message Board

aseyesee · Level 1 Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

well i just set up a new tank and my new res is adjusting to it i think, its like he is trying to get out of the tank , sticking his above the water as if he gasping for air and it seems hes having trouble climbing up on his basking rock, this is my first tank/res so all comments welcome on how i can improve it

P.S
ill be getting a bigger tank soon, i just wanna make sure he wont have any problems basking before i upgrade

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1227

If he is having trouble with his basking area you will need to get that fixed ASAP. Does he have another area where he can rest when he gets tired? If not he runs the risk of drowning.
Back to the basking area. you need to determine why he is having trouble and fix it before he gives up trying altogether. If he is having trouble getting traction get some of the bathtub stripes to give him the traction he needs. If it is a streach for him to get up on the platform, then adjust the water height until it is easier for him. If the platform is not steady under his weight then it is to small and you either need a larger one or make something else work. A piece of grey wood cut to fit across the tank is one of my turtles favorites. You can also get cork or make one of rocks.

Another thing to think about is your substrate. Many turtles will eat the smaller rocks and become impacted. Their intestines can then prolapse and it can cause lots of problems. You might want to consider using a little larger river stones, something your turtle can still dig in and move around, as they love to do that and it gives them exercise, but it won't hurt him either.
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fishandcandy · Level 3 Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Indio, CA

Did you get your lights yet? What are your temps? One reason for not basking could be that his water temp is too warm or his basking temp is not warm enough.
How long has he been in the new tank? Did he have a basking platform like that before? He might not know what it is or maybe he's just not ready to use it yet.
If he can stand up and stick his head out of the water, he won't drown. My turtle does that all the time (in addition to basking regularly). He's just breathing, don't worry about that.
He looks big... I'd upgrade ASAP.
Good luck! Very Happy

aseyesee · Level 1 Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

my temp is 74 degress and i have yet to get lights, ill be picking those up tommorrow, as for the basking, i think its both that he cant get traction and his weight wont hold him, im goin to have to come up with something more stronger, and when i try to place him on top to bask my self, he fights like crazy to get back in the water =[.....so im definitly going to have to arrange a new basking area

dixieee · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:35 am Post subject:

nice colorful setup Smile

but be careful with the gravel cz it looks too small that he could eat easily
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

fishandcandy · Level 3 Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Indio, CA

Petri won't stay on his basking area if I put him up there. Sometimes if I put him on his basking rock in his outside box he'll stay, but I think it's just because he doesn't know where he is.
For my basking spot I use an upside down shower organizer with a rock on top. It has suction cups to hold it up. I know some people on here have made stands with pvc pipe and then put a tile on top.
You can always just use a regular light bulb for your light. I think that's probably the biggest reason he's not basking. I have a regular lightbulb in a clip-on desk lamp.

certifiedpet · Level 1 Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Oregon

My turtle did not want to use my floating dock (same as yours) at first. I have a malayn box turtle who is not very tame. But the longer i left him alone with in his tank the more he got used to it. He still dives off into the water once i enter the room but he is not shy to use it when i am gone. Most turtle should be able to physicly use the dock its more of a matter of getting used to using it. Good luck