I just got my baby turtle a big tank so he will grow. what else does he need?

Question

all he has is a lot of water, and like three sea-shells on the ground

Answer 1

I assume this is a Red-ear slider or a related species.

Baby turtles need a few basics to be happy:

SPACE to swim, hunt, hide, and just frolic in. Aim for at least 10 gallons of swimming space per inch of turtle. Eventually, a female Red-ear will hit about 12" and need a HUGE space- 120 gallons of water alone.

WARMTH- these guys like warm water, 75-80F. Try a good heater with a thermostat and a protective guard around it.

CLEANLINESS- use a BIG filter. The 'Water Quality' section of http://www.austinsturtlepage.com discusses filters in depth.

LIGHTING- these guys LOVE sunlight- warmth from above while basking (aim for 90F) and a good source of UVB lighting. Sadly, UVB is a bit tricky to provide- it does not penetrate glass and needs special bulbs that only last about 6 months. You can get them at any good petshop.

BASKING- they NEED to be able to get out of the water totally. I like the plastic log-like 'docks' that hang on the cage side. be sure to light and heat the basking site.

DIET- you can use a base of good-quality turtle pellets to start, but you'll want to supplement them with things like live bloodworms, etc. The site above also has good diet articles in the 'General Care' section.

I hate to tell you this, but most of us spend a couple hundred bucks to take care of our little $10 turtles- but that is what it takes to raise them healthy and happy!

Answer 2

1) a bigger tank will not make him grow, it will make him more comfortable. A common misconception is that a turtle or other animal will only grow to the size of the cage its raised in. If we were raised in a midget's house(assuming we aren't midgets) we would still get to be 5-6' tall.

2) why seashells?......

3) he will need a filter to keep the water clean between changes, a basking area to get completly dry, a UV light(a 2.0 reptisun will be ok, but higher is better), a basking bulb, and a heater in the water so he is warm enough. If he is a baby(under 4 inches) please dont have water too deep. They have a hard time judging depth and distance and they're still learning. My turtle JUST figured out how to swim normally in the 55 I put him in last year.....

4) For food, try feeding live crickets, mealworms and the occasional wax worm. Try feeding freeze dried krill, or other similar foods too. You can feed him frozen brine shrimp(thaw it first ^.^), but thats messy and expensive... Try not to hand feed him, as they will associate your finger with food and later your finger AS food....

I would suggest finding all the things you need on drsfostersmith.com or another specialty store, they're usually pretty cheap. Read up on turtles and make sure you can keep them happy. Good luck with your turtle!

Answer 3

GENERAL:



There are many varieties of water turtles. They are cold-blooded reptiles and require a great deal of care and attention to keep them healthy. The care of water turtles is complex. Before you obtain your pet turtle, you should acquaint yourself with its requirements and have its living quarters prepared. This care sheet has been prepared to assist you in providing proper care and maintenance of your turtle. For softshell turtle, see our Softshell Turtle Care Sheet, No. SDTTS-pp7.



TEMPERATURE


Turtles become sluggish as temperatures drop and they stop eating. The correct temperature for your specific type of turtle will be determined by when it east well but is not overactive. This is usually between 70 degrees F and 80 degrees F. Many species do very well at room temperature, but those from warmer climates require a heat source; one to fit your particular needs should be found. Large tanks and outdoor ponds require specially made apparatuses. Take care to ensure that air and water temperature are close to the same.



HOUSING



The kind of housing depends on the type, number and size of turtles you have. For two or three hatchlings, a medium-size aquarium will do for a short time. For larger turtles, at least a 50-gallon tank or a pond is needed. Glass aquariums, hard plastic kiddy pools, plastic stock watering troughs, or smooth cement ponds are recommended. Do not use metal containers, because they may harm your turtle. Water filters, covers and plants may be added. Bottom covering looks nice but makes cleaning a chore. If a bottom covering is used, make sure it is non-toxic, non-abrasive and cannot be swallowed by your turtle. Water depth is not critical, but it must be at least twice as deep as the turtle is high. Rain water is best, but tap water can be used if you let it sit for 8 hours or overnight to allow the chlorine to dissipate. Try to place the turtle in water of the same temperature it was removed from. A place where the turtle can easily get out of the water to dry off and be in sunlight MUST be provided. We recommend constructing a land area for basking.



LIGHT



Sunlight is necessary for good health. If possible, turtles should be able to get at least two to four hours of direct sunlight on a basking surface each day. Light through windows and household bulbs are not beneficial because the ultraviolet rays are lost. We recommend the use of Vita-Lite bulbs which are very beneficial for the turtles. They should be on for eight to 12 hours each day.

Answer 4

you need to give him the food and temps that the type of turtle you have needs. Get a book on that breed and follow accordingly, or do a search on the net and you'll find all the info that you will need. Plus, the grow as big as the tank it is in is a myth, growth is determined by care and feeding.

Answer 5

He has to have a heater, a really good filter..turtles are dirty!a place for him to sit under the "sun"...good light source, conditioners for the water, and a good food. Baby turtles usually prefer meat sources, while older turtles like veggies more. Mine likes his cave to hide in, and his feeder fish in the tank. I mabe the cave from rocks found on the beach.
http://forum.petturtle.com/viewtopic.php?t=1837
Is a good place to get turtle help.
Good for you wanting your turtle to be healthy and happy.

Answer 6

make sure the temperature is normal, vitamins and supplements are good for turtles, and remember that reptiles carry salmonella.And you can have some light on top of the tank if you have a cover/lid.

Answer 7

No, people imagine putting fish in a higher tank causes them to augment higher besides the undeniable fact that it dsnt. they are going to improve basically an similar in a smaller tank. in an attempt to respond to ur question no he gained't improve any swifter in a higher tank

Answer 8

Do you have a land area for him to climb onto and bask? Do you have a light that provides UVA and UVB rays? How about a good filter? Food and treats?

Answer 9

He needs some sort of place to get out of the water to bask, you need a basking light, and a UV light.

Answer 10

Food, green lettace, cucumbers, carrots.