water heater at night ??

[mozz]

Hello i was hoping somebody could let me know if i am supposed to keep my water heater on during the night when all the other lamps are off, or do i let it drop as it would in the wild. I have today bought my first turtle a male map and named him Fraggle. thank you

[Shelled TT Lover]

Originally Posted by mozz

Hello i was hoping somebody could let me know if i am supposed to keep my water heater on during the night when all the other lamps are off, or do i let it drop as it would in the wild. I have today bought my first turtle a male map and named him Fraggle. thank you

I always let my heater on. Normally you heat the water to 2-4 C above your room temperature in the day time, if you turn off the heater the water temperature will finally drop to equal to the room temperature in night! The time difference between day and night plus with heater and without heater is probably near 8-10.
I think it is not right.

But I am not sure that if I am right.

[Graham]

Leave the heater on 24/7, large bodies of water such as lakes barely drop in temperature overnight at all, relatively small volumes such as an aquarium will cool much faster.
Assuming your turt is a young hatchling your water temp should be around 26°C, basking area 32-35°C.