Reptile & Amphibian Forums

well, first let me tell you the story so you all have an idea. I got this turtle probably a month ago, possibly more from my uncle. The whole reason i took it was because he got it for his kids and a few weeks later they stopped liking it because it was "boring". Well because of that no one took care of it. No one had cleaned his cage in weeks and he hadn't been fed in weeks also. I felt horrible so i had to take him. I clean his take once a week and feed him aquatic turtle bites. At first he seemed sick than started to get better but now he just seems sick again. I have a heat lamp and a rock for him to go on and on the other side of his tank i have a beach type thing. I bring him out at least once a day to excercise and walk around. His tank is a 20 gallon i think. I am pretty sure i do everything right but he stays under his rock a lot. I am not sure if this is normal but he just seems sick. I also haven't noticed him to be eating anything at all, well at least i never see his feces. I am scared because i love him very much. what should i do?

what type of turtle exactly? how big exactly? do you have a filter on the tank? (that is a must.) what type of lighting is it exactly? if it is just a heat basking light it is probably not giving near enough UVB, if any. when you say aquatic turtle bites, what brand is it? regardless i prefer to offer at least 3 different brands of pellet to ensure a well balanced and complete diet. you shouldnt really need to take him out and exercise him, this could be stressful on him which may lead to disease, he could be exposed to something that will get him sick, and he may get too cold. the best place fo rhim is in the enclosure that is setup for him. what are the temperatures for his basking area and his water?

Agreed.

We need to know basking and water temps. And do not take him out for exercise. It is stressful and not healthy for him or for you to have turtles walking around on your floor.

Water temp should be 72-75. Basking should be 85-90.

well, thank you very much. I did not take some of these things into consideration seeing i have never had a turtle before. I've been wanting to get him new lighting, and feed him live food. i had a thermometor but it broke and i also want to get 2 new ones. I have just been financially tied up, but than you very very much because i love my turtle and want the best for him.

In a money tight situation, any lightbulb will work. Get a 100-150W bulb, or steal the highest watt bulb you can from elsewhere in your house. Any reading lamp can be rigged above the basking spot to approximate the warm temps needed. If it's too hot, the turtles will still be able to jump into the water to cool off.

Good luck

Ian