Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a BP guy that has had two red eared sliders given to me to take care of. I will have them for about 6 months. The friend that has asked me to watch them has owned them for 26 years and has never read any forums but has taken good care of the turtles. I was just wondering how long during the day I can run a Ceramic Heater hot spot? Can I run it 24/7 or just during the day. Also, is there an optimum temp the hot spot should be? The Water is heated to 81 degrees F. I am also running a UVB light just during daylight hours. I am feeding them HBH Turtle Bites, I am going to throw some gold fish in because I have heard they enjoy them, but they have never eaten them. How large a gold fish can a 12 inch slider handle? Is there any other food I can give them that would make there stay at my home more enjoyable? Thanks for any help and suggestions you can share with me.

Regards,
Bill Rubin
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids (9) and (16)
0.1 Spouse (22 Years Married)
1.0 Chocolate Lab

Adult sliders primarily eat greens. Feed them Collards and stuff like that. No Iceberg, cabbage, or spinach. I feed mine floating pond fish food and greens.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I would not use a ceramic heat emitter. 72F degree water is adequate. 81F may actually be too warm. Water quality deteriorates with temperature. Raises metabolism unnecessarily. Eat more. Crap more. Too much amperage, if you know what I mean.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Hi,

Thank you for the advice. I will lower temps.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids (9) and (16)
0.1 Spouse (22 Years Married)
1.0 Chocolate Lab