How should I modify my turtle tank?

Question

Okay. I have 4 turtles, the largest only 2.5 inches. Two common musks (one is female), a painted, and a map or false map turtle. They live in a ten-gallon (I know, its over-stocked), and I want to try to keep the water as clean as possible for them so that I dont have to change it as frequently (I usually have to change it every day to every other day).

My tank is set up like this: the water reaches almost the top of the tank (maybe about a half-inch from the top), and, skimming the surface, is a tupper-ware lid that I have turned into a ledge (its a square, so I put it in the corner. I put a screw in three corners, and string is tied to them and taped to the outside of the tank). At the bottom is a circular cinderblock and about a half-inch of pebbles and shells. Crap always builds up in between the them, and the filter cant clean it, so should I get rid of them? Other suggestions (aside from getting rid of the turtles, which I know some wit is bound to say) are appreciated

Answer 1

Uh... you should have these guys in about a 100 gallon tank- so yeah, they are a bit overcrowded. (Rule of thumb- 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle shell length.)

1. Immediately investigate a new space or spaces (honestly, I would keep these in at least two tanks- the still water species (Mud and Musk) in one, and the moving water lovers (Maps) in another. Ideally, the Painted in another, but it can go with the Muds if needed, or even the Map if you have to.

2. Think about using big plastic tubs instead of aquaria. There are a lot of benefits (see http://www.austinsturtlepage.com look for the Articles section)

3. Eliminate the pebbles and shells- they are not helping anyone but your opinion of the looks. You will always need to use a vacuum siphon to clean the floor, but without the gravel it will be easier.

4. Get a better dock, ramp, or log- something that has some stength to it. Turtles dislike flimsy-feeling basking sites. Try to offer at least one basking site per turtle, and heat the basking sites to about 90F.

5. Turtle habitats need BIG filters- figure 2-3 times the rated size of the tank, so, you need a filter rated for about 200-300 gallons. Austin's Turtle Page (above) also has a GREAT article on filtration!

6. When you get the basic issues here corrected, address the water temp and lighting needs- also at Austin's pages.

7. Pop over to the forums at http://www.turtleforum.com and meet other people who love turtles and are dedicated to their proper care. Lots of them LOVE Maps, Muds, and Musks!

Answer 2

Filters are not vaccuums and cannot suck out the debris, instead a filter filters and purifies the water and breaks down the ammonia from the excrements of the animals. As well, in a small crowded setup the water dirties quicker and with a smaller filter, it becomes ineffective and quickly useless. Your best bet, is to get a syphon to such out the debris and do frequentr partial water changes (every second day for the size of your tank and inahbitants). No filter will keep that little amount of water clean.

Anyway, I think you know the solution is to get a bigger tank soon and get a bigger canister filter like Filstar xP3. IMO, a 50G tank will last you several years, since those turtles youhave chosen are excellent beginner turtles and stay small, under 4-5" for most of them, unless you have a female map or painted, where they will get to 6-8". Anyway, 50G is a good start, but a 75G is better. Maybe you can get a Rubbermaid plastic storage tub at Walmart, Lowes or Home Depot for less than $15. Good luck.

Answer 3

definite, u fairly can. in simple terms get the massive turtles and the massive fish interior the comparable tank and the little turtles with little fish; in the event that they're positioned consisting of distinctive sizes then the turtle will initiate desirous to consume the fish..