Question about my baby turtles...?

Question

i just bought two baby turtles, they are about 2in right now, but they will get much bigger. Right now I have them in a ten gallon tank. I know i will eventually need a larger one, but that's what i have for right now. Anyway, i was wondering about a few things.

First... the water seems very dirty. i have a filter in there and treated the water prior to putting them in there, and I even changed out the water twice this week but it is still pretty foggy. Is this normal and if not what should i do?

Second, there are A LOT of bubbles on the top of the water. To the point that i thought there was soap in there, but there is no way there could be soap in the water. Anyone know what these bubbles are? How do i get rid of them?

Also, what type of heater do I put in there? i have a regular UVA/UVB light and a heating lamp (50w) but the water still seems pretty cold. Do I need a water heater too?

Answer 1

Red-Eared Slider Care Sheet and Information

Common Name: Red-Eared Slider

Latin name: Trachemyss scripta elegans


Native to: Mississippi River valley and tributaries from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico

Size: Average adult is 5 - 8 inches; females are larger than males of same age.

Life span: 15 - 25 Years

General appearance: Young red-eared sliders are bright green with yellow markings and a red stripe just behind the eyes. Colors dull with age.

Housing requirements:

Enclosure: Should be mostly aquatic. Minimum dimensions for tank are: width - 3 times the shell length and length - 6 times the shell length. Minimum depth of the water should be as deep as the shell is wide. A basking area is needed to allow the red-ear slider to get out of the water to dry completely. UV lighting can be beneficial.

Temperature: The water should be 70° - 75° F and can be maintained with a submersible aquarium heater. The basking area should be 84° - 88°F during the daylight period. This can be maintained with an incandescent light.

Substrate: Substrate is not recommended, as frequent water changes make it difficult to clean.

Diet: Feeding should be daily with all they can eat in 45 minutes. Remove all food remaining after that time, except for greens. Just because they beg for food does not necessarily mean they're hungry, this is a trained condition. Diet should be at least 65% - 85% meat consisting of commercial turtle food, trout chow, beef heart, cooked chicken, fish live or fresh caught (not frozen). Meat should be dusted once a week with a good herp vitamin containing D3. Dark green leafy vegetables can be used to fill the rest of the diet.

Maintenance: Water should be clean and clear. Waste should be removed whenever it is found. Filtration prolongs the time between water changes, but should not be used as a substitute for water changes. Wastewater should not be emptied into a sink that is used for food preparation or personal hygiene. Hands and any other part of your body that comes in contact with the water should be washed thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap.

Other references or recommended reading:

General Care and Maintenance of Red-Eared Sliders: Philippe de Vosjoli

Encyclopedia of Turtles: Dr. Peter C. H. Pritchard

Turtles of the World: Carl H. Earnst and Roger W. Barbour

Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: A. C. Highfield

Please click here for information about red-ear sliders in New York State.

Remember that in many places it is illeagal to take wildlife out of the wild without the proper permits from local, state, or federal authorities. Please do not release any captive reptiles or amphibians into the wild as this will disrupt the natural order of our environment. See our amphibian and reptile adoptions page for more information on what to do with unwanted herps.

Answer 2

Turtles need space, warmth, sunlight, and clean water.

The rule for space is at least 10 gallons per inch of turtle. 2 2" turtles would need a 40 gallon pond, or a partially filled 75 gallon tank. You can save a ton of money by using large plastic tubs! Not only is a larger tank better for the turtle, it won't get so dirty so quickly.

Warmth is usually provided by water heaters with automatic thermostats. Even if your room is usually warm enough, the heaters protect the turtles anyway. Aim for 75-80F water temps and 90F on the basking sites.

Sunlight really means UV-B, which you say you are providing- good for you!

Cleanliness- a bigger tank will help, but we usually need 2-3 times more filtration than the same size fish tank would need.

The bubbles on the water are from proteins in the water (not oxygen, etc.) The proteins are coming from the foods and wastes. They are not dangerous by themselves, but they do indicate that your water is not as clean as it should be.

Answer 3

I have 3 turtles in a 55 gallon tank and there water barely ever gets dirty. I only clean it once a month. Its probably so dirty because you have 2 2in. turtles in a tiny 10 gallon tank. you should have at least a 40 gallon. you should really upgrade your tank asap. try getting a new filter. I use a fluval2 and it works great. you also need a water heater. I use a regular fish tank heater for up to a 60 gallon tank, and they make guards for them so your turtle doesnt break the heater. you heat lamp bulb should also be about 100 watts not 50. good luck

Answer 4

I have 2 turtles that have gotten big in the last 2 years. I used to have the same problem with the tank always being dirty even if I had just cleaned it and used a filter. I then discovered not only was I overfeeding them,but that it is actually the food that makes the tank dirty and smelly. I now put them in the tub overnight with a few inches of water. I feed them while they are in there as well as put in something they can climb on to get out of the water if they wish. I also leave the light on in bathroom so they will not think its nighttime.They seem to really enjoy having the length of the tub to swim in and I figure this is good excersise. In the morning they go back to their tank which sits by a heater vent as well as a sunny window. I don't use any other heat and they do just fine. Also my cats love to watch them in the tub!! Please keep in mind they may carry salmonella so clean the tub before little ones can get near it as well as keeping a lid on your tank. Wishing you much success!!!

Answer 5

i too have baby turtles (red eared sliders, to be exact), but i don't use a heater, because the tank sits by the heater and the temp is around 71-75 degrees and plus i have a lamp over the tank that provides heat in my dry area and it seems to be fine because its in the water all day swimming around.

and as for the dirtyness of the tank....do you feed them in the tank? because if so, that could be the reason why your tank is so cloudy and dirty. the turtles only eat in the water so if there is food, they most likely brought it into the water area so they can eat it. you can try putting at least two algae eaters (fishes) to help get rid of some of the algae it makes that is caused by the food and turtle, but i can't guarantee that your turtle WON'T eat them, because i put two algae eaters in my turtle tank and one got eaten. if you do get algae eaters make sure they're an adult size and not babies, because they can eat it...

and as for the bubbles, perhaps its the filter thats making all the bubbles?

Answer 6

the water will get dirty quick, but you dont have to clean it everyday. the bubbles are normal. my turtle has bubbles is his aquarium too. its probably just from the oxygen in the tank. if you have a lid on the tank, it cant get out so it stays on top of the water. you dont need a water heater, the light you have is just fine. just make sure they have a place to get out of the water and 'sunbathe'

good luck!

Answer 7

The dirty water is normal as turtles defecate in the water. If there are a lot of bubbles have you mistakenly put the turtles in boiling water on the stove?

This should only be done after the turtles are big enough to provide a good sized serving. Baby turtles, though tender, just won't yield enough meat to be worth the effort.

When they are ready I suggest a nice Teriyaki marinade. Lovely!

Answer 8

Turtles can live in Sewerage water - seriously. They are very tolerant. Turtles don't need a heating supply. The house temp is fine. I know the type of turtle you have - I have seen them for sale. They live in Frozen lakes in the North. DON"T LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE TELLING YOU, YOU NEED A HEATER.... YOU DON"T NEED IT

Answer 9

Basically...i think that you are having trouble with commitment and you have problems with your father

Answer 10

turtles are not reptiles