Turtle Basking Time Calculator
Species-specific basking photoperiod, UV Index target, water and basking-surface temperatures for sliders, painted turtles, musk turtles, tortoises and more.
Daily basking light on
12 hours
UVI at basking spot: 3.0-6.0
Basking surface temp: 90-95°F
Water temp: 75-82°F
Fully aquatic — needs a large dry dock reachable in one motion.
A turtle that never basks is nearly always cold, sick or scared. Verify the dock is dry, easy to climb, and under real UVB — not filtered through glass or plastic.
Not medical advice. This tool provides general guidance based on common veterinary formulas. Always consult your veterinarian for medical decisions about your pet.
Examples
- Red-eared slider12h basking, UVI 3-6, water 75-82°F
- Russian tortoise12h basking, UVI 4-7, weekly warm soak
- Musk turtle6h basking, UVI 1-3 (rarely basks)