More Heater Questions

[epond83]

Ok so i've read for my RES that the tank water should be around 78 degrees. What if it is more like 70 or 60, whouldn't the turtle just speed more time or more trips up to the heat lamp? Or is there something else i'm missing?

[Pond Luvr]

if your water is to cool, it can cause upper respiratory infections, and once they get ri, a vet is needed with meds.  warmer water just keeps them more regulated and keeps them healthy.

[vtmom]

They are at a higher risk of RI with lower water temps.

Lisa...you beat me to it

[FL.AlligatorSnapperMan]

Your basically trying to mimic its natural habitat givin that you probably dont have the setup for them to have a winter and hibernate so you want to mimic the warmer months of the year. Keep the water up to Temp. And offer a basking area for the amount of time one would be present in the wild. Sliders like to bask during the heat of the day 10am-2pm. You also need a D3 producing ReptiSun type bulb.

[mike]

epond83 -- The temperature was not picked out of the air. Herpetologist and experienced turtle folks know where the temp needs to be for the best turtle health and metabolism of their food. Their immune system works better at that temp. And the most likely disease for these guys is RI. When these little guys are small, people have a bad habit of taking them out of the tank to look at them and do not take into consideration the each time they are out they cool off quickly and then they are placed back in tank to warm up again. This in and out is not good for a little turtle as he is small and cools off very rapidly. A small heater is cheap.

[bascomb]

In regards to temps, the water should be 77 to 78 degrees and the basking area 90 to 91 degrees with uvb lighting. -- The basics; b.

[picasso14]

In regards to temps, the water should be 77 to 78 degrees and the basking area 90 to 91 degrees with uvb lighting. -- The basics; b.

uva/uvb bulb they need both.

-picasso