I have two young yellow-bellied sliders and just got a new 55 gallon tank for them - the water depth is about 12 in and the turtle length is about 4-5 inches. There are two floating basking platforms in the new tank. I watched them for about three hours yesterday swimming around thier new environment but they never seemed to find or be able to figure out how to get up on the basking platform. I was scared they might drown overnight without supervision - any suggestions? Lowering the water level isn't an option or the filter won't work.

I would first suggest getting another filter. I made to make my own since they don't make any good large filters that work for turtle tanks. For smaller tanks, I used Duetto's. You don't want the tank 100% full especially if the heat lamps are on the lid as the turtles could be burnt from the lamps. If you can elevate the lamps, that takes care of that problem. I usually fill tanks about 50-70% full for turtles. My turtle used to bask a lot but the last few months, he's on a partial fast (not eating much) and also not basking much. I recently moved him from a 40 to a 120 gallon tank, and he hasn't once gone up on the new land area. I don't know if part of the reason is that he can't. Your turtles may not be physically able to get up onto the basking platform. Some aren't easy to get on.

Turtles will get tired if they can't rest with their heads out of the water and their feet on something solid. You can create that by building up things under the water for them to stand on. But, you don't want to put in things that easily fall over or that turtles can get stuck in. Turtles would rarely drown from just exhaustion of swimming. They are more apt to drown if they get stuck. My turtle does his best to try to find ways to get stuck but, so far, he's always gotten himself out. I bought some things (don't know the correct word) that are fake rocks. My turtle can rest his feet there. This photo shows the thing I'm talking about on the right.

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/photos/reptiles/tanks/tank40.jpg

A new person who joined the forum has 13 turtles! Maybe he can give you some ideas and tips.

Well one, your temps in water arent high are they like 80s?, if they turtle will have no need to bask or want too, but since you just put them in there, they are exploring and need time.

They will figure it out, My one Res took about 5 days till he finally figured out the basking area. Also when your watching them can they see you good I found my turtles never bask, there too excited, they think i might come over and feed them when im watching them

It just takes time and im 100% you will see them basking soon

~Yes I have alot tips and helpful info when it comes to turtles, I was part of staff on message board on Turtlesale, until owners deleted us all but long story there~

Thank you guys. I have put something in the tank for the turtles to rest thier tootsies on where they have their noses out of the water. I still haven't seen them on the basking platform yet though...I guess they need a little time.

Look into getting drift wood, there always a good thing for the turtle to rest on like this :P



Wasnt ment to be basked on but.. X.X