Currently my RES is in a 20 gallon long tank. The bottom is completely covered with small river rocks. 1/2 is set up as a swimming area with about 4" deep of water in the whole tank. This side is where the submerged filter is (kinda covered but she likes to climb on it) and where her fish usually swim. The other side is gradually built up with river rocks increasing in size until it reaches the other side and has a large basking area that's big enough for her to lay on with extra room and 8" of clearance between rocks andlight. Her Day Glo 75 watt light is above this and produces enough heat to keep the water steadily at 74-76* and the basking spot 86*. She also has some Hornswart in her tank and some goldfish, platy fish and rosy barbs. On the water side of her tank is a 75 watt Night Glo light. Her Day light is on usually between 7 AM and 8-8:30 PM and then subsequently her Night light the other time. At night her water is usually about 70* and she sleeps in the water. I have also added 2 black mystery snails in her tank. So, my question is: is there anything I can do to improve her habitat and if yes, what else? I'm open to all suggetions!
2007-04-08 12:59:35 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
She's about 4" in diameter. Her Day Glo light has UVA rays and I really am not sure about the Night Glo light. My guess would be not. Both lights are made by Exoterra and are made to combine together for a 24 hour cycle. I'd like to have the water deeper but I'm afraid if I do this, I will have to raise her basking area and that then she'd become too close to her heat lamp or she'd be able to escape.
2007-04-08 13:41:21 · update #1
You don't mention how big she is, make sure she has enough water to swim around freely. Your light and temp sound great, and your choice of tank mates is great, I keep fish with my aquatic turtles to stimulate them and provide them with exercise. Don't be suprised if she eats the snails.. an algea eater may be a better choice. The only suggestion I can make is an aquatic plant called Anachris. It is a free floater and has the feature of being able to digest turtle waste. It will help you maintain the clarity of your water, and she will most likely nibble on it. Just replace it as it starts to yellow, or she eats it!!!
2007-04-08 13:12:06 · answer #1 · answered by Darla G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More water. 4"x12"x about 15" is only a few gallons, and we want about 10 gallons of water per inch of shell.
Reconfigure the tank to allow a basking log or ramp, and fill the tank up over 1/2 way with water.
Try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com or http://www.redearslider.com for other ideas.
2007-04-08 13:18:44 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your setup sounds incredibly large, although 20 gallons is barely nice for a comparatively youthful RES. the ideal element you may desire to do on your turtle is to invest in a much better set up. you apart from could could desire to verify the water is a minimum of as deep because of the fact the turtles shell is long, deeper remains extra appropriate.
2016-10-02 09:33:20 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As someone else pointed out you want to be sure she can swim around. The water should twice as deep as the length of her shell.
i know you mentioned a whole bunch of lights, but do any of them have UVA/UVB rays(which are essencial for vitamin D creation.)
2007-04-08 13:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by Prodigy556 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋