Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, heres the deal...I've had my RES for about fifteen years. Up until about a year or two ago, I always had a heater in the tank. But, the heater broke and I didn't replace it until now because I bought a larger aquarium and I'm in the process of setting it up. Being that he has been used to colder temperatures since there hasn't been a heater present, how should I go about reintroducing him back into warmer water. Obviously, I would have to slowly ramp the temperature up but how slow? Thanks!

A couple of things. If you've had the turtle without heated water for two years, why worry about a heater now? I gather your turtle has always had access to a basking spot with correct temperatures? If so, and you live in a part of the country where daytime room temps are adequate you don't really need a heater.
If you want to use one anyway theres no need to gradually increase the temps. Water temps for subadults on up should be around 72 - 76 and thats not going to shock any turtles system.

Thanks for the response! Yes, I do have a basking spot for him to crawl out on. The water usually stays around 70 degrees without a heater. I've done so much reading about how the water should be warmer than that so I thought I should get a heater to boost the temp. slightly. Thanks!

If it stays at 70 degrees it should be fine. An adult slider who has basking spot during the day (85-90 degees) and 70 degree water temperatue is just fine.

Don't worry about a heater to boost the temps.

Steve

If you do get a heater, slowly raise the temp like the instructions say. This will prevent your heater from breaking. Hopefully you will be getting a metal submersible with external temp control. It wont break from over heating and the turtle wont break it banging into it. Get something like this-
www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22407;category_id=3059

You can see mine in the back of this pic.

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