I brought home a male red-eared slider and unfortunately, due to the circumstances, I was unprepared. I immediately bought a 29 gallon tank (not ideal, but it will have to do until early next year after I move), an underwater heater and a floating thermometer. Right now he is in there with some stacked bricks for basking and about 10" of water (much better than his previous abode in a 10 gallon tank!!!) I'm borrowing a heat lamp. I've ordered some products from petsmart (free shipping special right now)! My original plan was to set up a 'basking' platform in the light at one end and another platform at the other end that is 'private'...but now I'm concerned that might take up too much space-I want him to have lots of swimming room. Should I just make his basking spot his 'hideaway' as well? Can his hideaway be under water? I'd love to hear what you have done, especially with limited space such as a 30 gallon tank.
2006-08-25 16:23:39 · 4 answers · asked by redfernkitty 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
A little background on the turtle: he was a 'classroom' pet obtained from a pet store and he was living in a 10 gallon tank that was being hogged up by stones and he only had a few inches to swim around in. I started dropping hints about wanting him but I didn't want to invest in everything if I wouldn't be getting him. So I got the OK yesterday to take him home (immediately!) and here he is.
I just didn't want anyone to think that I'm an irresponsible person and got a turtle on a whim. Although I wasn't aware of how LONG turtles can live, I did know what to expect when caring for one...I just wasn't prepared when I brought him home.
Thanks in advance for your support and ideas!
2006-08-25 16:43:11 · update #1
ok. first of all, unless you really need the aestheitic appeal, lose anything on the bottom the the tank. turtles are dirty and its going to be such a pain to keep anything you put on the bottom clean. as the turtle gets bigger, you can judge if you need a bigger tank. they get about 8 inches in diameter usually , so expect to need to upgrade as it grows.
you're definately going to need a filter- any petstore will be able to help you ith the size appropriate one for your turtle.
get a floating dock from the store as well, or you can build up some land for them to bask on with slate (cleaned and stuff).
since you dont need a top on the tank, you can get a clamp lamp for a heat and USB lighting----very imporant!! they need some sunLIGHT to be healthy! aim it towards the basking area. other than that, the entire tank can be filled almost 3/4 the way with water. theyre water turtles-swimming is what they do! no need for anything else in the tank at all! many happy turtles have been raised in setups like this.
however- if you want my honest opinion- if you can- get a pond outside. they can live out there ALL year! my ex and i had 5 water turtles and two box turtles for years (they're still with him, still kickin from what i last heard), in a pond outside and they are sooo much happier there. they loved it. friendlier, too, even the water turtles would actually swim up to you and come on land to eat right from your hands! if you choose to do this, the turtles can hibernate outside during the winter, and you can find out more about that (i wont talk your ear off anymore) :)
2006-08-29 15:27:30 · answer #1 · answered by meow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
- Try a plastic wading pool, large Rubbermaid-type container, or plastic stock tank.
- I made a nice basking island out of a smaller plastic tub with a hole cut in one side for a cave, and then glued up some rocks to make a sort of shell around the tub. The smooth flat rocks give the turtles some traction and nicely hold the heat for basking.
- I like using several cheapo corner filters for cleanliness- cheap filtration media, easy to clean, etc.
- I light my tanks with overhead racks and differnet kinds of lights on timers- flourescent for dawn and dusk, incandescant for normal light, heat lamps during the 'warm part' of the day, and UV bulbs for the hot part of the day.
- I like using terra-cotta pots with no drain hole to plant plants in the ponds for shady areas, and to provide some bugs and sheer decoration.
2006-08-27 22:12:43 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get the floating turtle docks. They free up swimming space and help with filtration because rocks etc... can block water flow and build up debris
2006-08-25 23:48:37 · answer #3 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Best RES habitat? An oudoor pond.
They grow fast & you will not be able to buy a large enough aquarium for a older juvenile & certainly not an adult!
2006-08-26 18:48:30 · answer #4 · answered by Bad M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋