Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok heres the deal, my turtle still wont bask, he has no shell rot and hes getting lots of calcuim. he used to bask when i had a uva bulb but when i switched to the uvb he wont any more whats up? i have both the uva and uvb bulbs on him and the temp is right and everything i have no idea what to do!

Hi,

I am a little confused about the message. You switched
from the UVB to the UVB? Can you clarify?

Linda

No he said he switched from UVA to UVB.

Make sure it is warm enough and leave him alone, he probably won't bask if you are watching him. Also make sure your water isn't too warm, they don't bask if they are warm in their water.
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Do nothing

succinct! I like that....
I, too, have decided to just be patient and let Sharkie do her thing.
When she is ready, she will do it!
but it is annoying....

You do have a heat lamp in addition to the UVB right? I'm sure this has been recommended in earlier replies, but just wanted to make sure... They usually don't come out of water unless the outside temp is higher than water temp.

I do have a heat lamp, approx 10 inches from the platform and the temp on the platform is approx. 84-85. Water temp is about 75-80, depending on how hot the day is. Is that sufficient?
It is a 40W bulb and, if need be, I could upgrade to 60W and check the temp again.
What do you think?

Your setup sounds good. I also use a 40W lamp but I place it about 4 inches from the basking platform. My platform is big so I figure that if they feel too hot they can always move away from it.

Mine is 10" away because she can stretch that tall, in my estimation. I was worried about it being too low and her being able to cause trouble trying to get out (which she has never done, that I am aware of).
Maybe I should try a 60 W and see what happens. I might just do it...I have nothing to lose! She still has not gotten on the thing while I have been looking.