Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

My RES, whom I've raised from a baby, has been biting at the rubber silicone around the bottom of his tank. I do not have a layer of rocks on the bottom of the tank to facilitate easier cleaning and filtering. I do however have a few larger rocks placed around the bottom. I have tried putting these in the places where he usually bites the rubber seal (which is always in the same place), but if he can't get to it he simply moves on to another spot.

I've tried tapping his shell with the net as a kind of "punishment" for doing this. Indeed, he stops biting for a few minutes but then resumes it later. This happens fairly frequently.

My question is how to best deal with this problem - is there someway I can get him to stop this biting. I've tried putting in a ping pong ball which he plays with sometimes, but it didn't take his attention away from the rubber seal. Also, if he was to remove that seal would it cause a leak? I've heard that it wouldn't but I'd like to be sure.

I've included a URL to some pics of my setup if anyone is interested. I'll keep these up for a couple of weeks.

Also, I run a Filstar XP3 filter and have some questions about it - anybody here good at troubleshooting them? I'll place another message with them if anyone feels up to the task.

Thanks alot - this is a great community which I've learned alot from over the last couple of years.

-Cruciform7
My Tank Setup

Aquarium silicone is supposed to be non-toxic, although I don't know if that means it is safe for the turtle to eat it. I don't think he could remove enough to make the tank leak. I use a few big pieces of slate in the bottom of my tank, it lets the dirt get sucked out, but it gives the turtles something to push around. Mine have never noticed the silicone. Maybe you just need to add some aquatic plants or something to distract him. I don't think there is a way to punish him to make him behave, that isn't the way they think.
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Mine always did that too. As far as I know once the silicon is dry it is inert and won't hurt them. Most tanks have been put together so sloppily that the excess is inviting for the turts to bite, but mine never caused a leak.

That's a nice set up.
My guy has ate some of the glue stuff becuase it was there to bite. I think the others are right, he needs a distraction. Maybe some plants (but they're messy)or some fish to chase. I put my pleco back in with my turtle yesterday and he spent an hour following it around. I also have larger river rocks in the bottom and he spends hours searching for "food" in between and under them.