Why isn't my red-eared slider basking? Is the UVB light too close?

Don't worry, she'll bask when she needs to bask. As long as she is able to get on the platform, it is fine. You can dry dock her by taking her out of the tank and placing her in a separate container. After an hour or two, return her to the tank. The cover and the mesh top are fine.

-Make sure she has a good quality UV light above her no more than 12"- it should be a tube light and not a screw in kind, like a ReptiSun. Change it every 6 months. -If she won't get up to bask, make the area more inviting- put a larger platform, make sure you have a good heat light above that area, make it easy for her to get out, make sure nothing stressed her or scares her back into he water. -If it doesn't work to get her basking and then you may need to dry dock her part of the day- take her out of the water and let her bask in an empty tub or aquarium with her heat and UV lights on above her so she really dries out (make sure to leave her a cool side to go where it is not as hot so she doesn't overheat.) - You can try to soak her in dilute Betadine solution- you can purchase Betadine at the drug store and add a small amount to water to make a weak tea color and soak in water just deep enough to cover her back end 5-10 minutes once daily. This may help if their is infection under the scutes. -If these things are not working and more scutes are loose, then she needs to see a vet for an exam and possibly antibiotics.

If she seems bright and healthy I would not worry about this too much. Quite often turtles choose to spend most time in the water. Make sure there is no reason that she a is put off the dock, for example difficult to access, excessively lit or heated, cleanliness etc. If there is no husbandry reason it is simply her choice.

One hour of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day should be sufficient until you get the bulbs. Do not mistake a basking light (which provides heat) for a UVB light which provides beneficial (and necessary) UVB rays. Make sure the nighttime temperatures do not get too cool.

Thanks for reaching out. The water temperature should be around 70-75 F, but the basking site can be in the low 90s. This needs to be measured with a thermometer to prevent burns. If the turtles are too scared they will not bask well, as feel safer in the water. Good luck.

A RES requires full spectrum lighting (UVA and UVB) and lighting that provides heat. The dry dock, or basking area, should be completely out of the water. Basking temps should range between 90F and 95F (32-35C). You should place the UVA/UVB bulb as close to the heat lamp as possible. It should be no more than 12" away from your RES and should not have a barrier between it and your turtle. Glass, acrylic and plastic block UVB while screens with grids under 1/2" can obstruct a good portion of UVB rays negating the health benefits. Lighting should be on for around 12 hours a day, depending on the time of year. Full UVA/UVB bulbs need replacing every 6 months. The simplest combination for adequate lighting is a UVA/UVB fluorescent bulb and an incandescent light bulb (for heat). Incandescent light bulbs are standard household lights easily purchased at stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. Make sure your RES cannot splash water on it or come into contact with it. You can also consider halogen lights and red heat bulbs for supplemental heat. You can buy the UVA/UVB bulbs at most pet stores. Search in the Reptile section. They can also be purchased online for around $30-$40. ReptiSun 10.0 (by ZooMed) or ReptiGlo lights are quality full spectrum bulbs.

This will not provide sufficient levels of UVB lighting. The window and tank glass will block a large majority of the sun's beneficial rays. A UVB light source must not be blocked by glass, plexiglass or fine mesh and should be about 12-16 inches from the surface of the basking area for maximum effect. Without UVB lighting, a turtle cannot properly synthesize adequate levels of Vitamin D3, which is necessary in the absorption and metabolism of calcium. The result will be metabolic bone disease, soft shell and/or stunted growth.