Soaking- how long\how often?

My Russian enjoys his soaks. Currently, I've only been doing it once a week. Is this okay? He usually soaks for 10minutes or so. I remove him when the water gets soiled.....he likes to soil in it after 10 minutes. Just curious if there's any giudelines for this. He's 6ish years old (I'm guessing), 6in male.

No there are no "Guidelines" per say, it's as often as your Russian drinks to stay hydrated. I don't soak mine that often because they like to soak themselves and drink on their own. Probably once a week...if that. They do just fine.

If mine drink on their own then I don't soak. Once a week sounds fine for a 6 inch adult. but if you russian actually enjoys it, most in my experience don't like to soak (forced), then you could do it twice a week with no harm done.

I soak the youngsters everyday...at least 30 minutes a session! Aladar every other day until his pool becomes 'soup'

While they're outside (roughly May through October), they soak themselves in their large water dish daily.

Inside, they individually get 45 minutes per, 3X a week, with new water after "pooping" (about 10 minutes into the soak).

You really can't oversoak them.

DeanS said:

I soak the youngsters everyday...at least 30 minutes a session! Aladar every other day until his pool becomes 'soup'

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How do you keep the water warm for 30 minutes? I have even tried under the CHE.

I also soak my torts every day. They both seem to enjoy it and the youngest has yet to discover the water bowl so she kind of needs it. Although I go on their time schedule, the second they start trying to climb out then I know soaking time is over. I keep the bowl under my Power Sun light while soaking, it keeps it nice and warm.

Tina Marie said:

How do you keep the water warm for 30 minutes? I have even tried under the CHE.

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It doesn't have to stay warm. Starting warm and allowing it to cool to room temperature is quite ok. It only feels cold to your touch because you are 98.6 degrees.

I keep my soak water warm, when I offer a fairly rare soak, by either floating the soak tub in the bathtub with several inches of nice warm water, or by setting the soaking tub on a heating pad if the house is chilly. If it is nice out, I just do it on the porch.

Madkins007 said:

I keep my soak water warm, when I offer a fairly rare soak, by either floating the soak tub in the bathtub with several inches of nice warm water, or by setting the soaking tub on a heating pad if the house is chilly. If it is nice out, I just do it on the porch.

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Thanks. I guess I'm doing it right. He likes his soaks for about 10 minutes or so and then he tries to climb out. I do it in the bathroom sink to retain the warmth. Here's a pic of his latest session....yesterday. He was almost smilin' at me!

I have one of those desk-top coffee-cup warmers that I wired a rheostat onto...it fits the bottom of the soak bowl pretty well and keeps the water about 85F.

i also do it in the bathroom my tortoise is okay for 15mins poops then wants out i refresh the water when i feel it getting cold