Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Finally FINALLY got my tank setup for My RES. He's in a 30 - 35 gallon tank with a heavy duty filter. My 2 questions are these...
How deep should the water be? Right now its about 5 inches deep.
And, I have that Zoo Med Floating Dock in there. Will he learn to climb on that himself or does he need some help in some way.
He hasn't been on it yet.
Thanks! (he's about 1 1/2 - 2 years old)
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11 frogs - 5 peepers/3 RETF's/2 WTF's/1 GTF
8 turtles - 1 wood/6 boxers/1 RES
1 Male Veiled Chameleon
and of course the usual rabbits and a dog!

The water level should be as deep as your basking set up allows. Most owners try to get their platforms up high so that that they can take advantage of tank space and get them 3/4 full. RES are great swimmers and the depth is not a problem...and it gives them more swim space.

Be patient...you just made a massive change in his home, so he might not yet feel completely secure enough yet to bask. Several months back I got a different platform for my babies' tank and it took them several days to get comfortable with the change and start using it.

What you will probably notice is that eventually when the turtle thinks no one is looking it will climb up onto the platform and then dive back into the water as soon as someone gets close enough. Try leaving the room and watching from another. I have 2 RES and it took them about 9 months to quit diving off when I walked in the room.

Yertle is on with regard to the water level. I just wanted to comment about the basking area. Do you have a basking lamp over it for him? The basking area should be warmer than the water otherwise he will be less inclined to climb up and use it.