YB Slider

Question
I recently received two yellow-bellied sliders as a holiday present and love them. They are very young and between one and one & a half inches long. While they came with a small 10-15 gallon tank, I have done a lot of research and have now moved them, at least until they grow, into a 55 gallon tank with good filtration. They are eating and behaving properly.

Question #1: In a wish to keep their habitat clean and healthy, I have been feeding them (twice a day - pellets, shrimp and krill - calcium stick in the tank) in a separate small mini-tank. While their water tank temperature is in the upper 70s, does it bother them at all that the 30-so minutes they spend eating is in slightly cooler (treated properly) water. They come to me at feeding time and prepare themselves to be moved, but I still worry.

Question #2: The store clerk said that, since this was such a large tank (now) with two bulbs, I would only need one UVB (Repto Glo 5.0). The other side has the regular light, but the basking areas all fall under the UVB area. My main concern is, though, that since the water level they have is only 3.5-4 inches, the UVB light is 14 inches above...not the max 12 inches suggested. Is this a serious problem for such small turtles? Do the UVB rays really dissipate at this distance? Should I add more water?

Finally: My water generally stays about 79 degrees. The air lingers between 82-84. Is this enough of a differential? I simply have the feeling they should be basking more.

Thanks so much for all of your great help!

-John  

Answer
Things sound pretty good overall.

1. You may be over-feeding. We normally only recommend one feeding daily, portions about the size of the turtle's head.

The use of a separate feeding tank works, but does cause some stress during the move and change. It is an OK option, however, if you do not have a good, powerful filter system.

#2- Add water. In a 55 gallon tank, you should have about 35-45 gallons of water. Not because of the UV, which barely penetrates water, but to allow the maximum natural behaviors for the turtles. They like lots of water! UVB should be about 12" over the basking site- don't worry about the rest of the tank.

#3- if the water temps are 75-80F, and the basking site is about 90F, you are OK. If the air is 82-84, it may be a bit cool.

For great articles, try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Good luck!