Basking Tendencies and Water Temp

[jeff_dbt]

Hello all, Does Water Temp have anything to do with Basking Tendencies? Somewhere (Sorry, don’t remember where.) I read that hatchlings would keep active if the water is kept at about 82F degrees. Well, I’m a little concerned because they spend almost all their time in the water. I have adjusted the ZooMed 100w PowerSun up and down but not much change in visits to the basking area. I’m thinking about bringing the water temp down a tab. Any suggestions? Thanks, Jeff

[Jimbo Craig]

I believe that water temps do have an impact on how much our turtles bask, but I have noticed this to be more true with adult turtles and not hatchlings. Like you, I have always kept my hatchling tanks right around 82 degrees because the higher temp is supposed to keep their metabolism running high which should also keep their imune system nice and healthy as well, but the higher water temp never had a negative impact on the amount of time they spent up on their basking station. All my hatchlings have always been very active baskers and very brave up there as well (which has always surprised me that these little guys were so bold). It sounds like you have already played with adjusting the basking temp which would normally make a difference………..so I don’t really have any good suggestions for you??? Lowering the water temp down to 78 or 79 should be OK, so you might as well give it a try and see if it helps. You may have to be patient with any changes that you make so that your little guys actually realize that a change has been made. Take care, Jimbo On Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 7:11 PM, jeff_dbt

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