So we have three really small turtles in a 10 gallon tank. We have a water filter, and decorative rock, and that floating rock thing. We have the tank probably about 3/4s full with water. Is this ok for the small turles? They're not babies or anything but I just didn't know how long turtles can hold their breath and if swimming to the top all the time is too much work for them. They do seem to have fun swimming around though. Anyone know if I need to decrease the amount of water or not?
2007-06-27 08:48:34 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Well first, you shouldn't have 3 turtles in such a small tank. You should at LEAST have a 20 gallon tank. Its a good thing you have a basking spot. That is enough water for them. Most water turtles can hold their breath for 20 minutes(babies).I just reccomend not putting gravel on the bottom as a substrate because they tend to eat them and they can get impaction. Please mail me and tell me how big the turtles are. The water level needs to be 2 times the legnth of each turtles shell. If you have more questions mail me.
2007-06-27 08:59:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, this seems fine for the turtles as long as you do have a enough land room for all of them to get onto at once at night for sleep or rest and sun/lamp/pad( either or is fine) bathing. Make sure there are sleeping areas. As they do grow older you will need bigger tanks. Since it is three they might need bigger tanks such as 55 to 65 gallon. I'm not an expert in tanks since I only have 3 box turtles at the moment. Which I don't keep in a tank. Have had many more. My only concern about this is you don't say what type of turtle it is. This setup is only good for turtles such as painters,snapping,slider, mud, and turtles like that. Land turtles would not survive in this much water. It would help if you listed the type of turtle for me to give the most information I can. List the type and I'll see if I can add any more info to this. Thanks. Hope this helps. Good luck. :)
2007-06-27 09:38:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can almost never have too much water, but it is really, really easy to have too little.
In fact, right now, you have too little. The rule of thumb for most species is about 10 gallons of water per inch of shell length. You have 3 small turtles, say 1/5" long? That would be 45 gallons of water, so about a 60 gallon tank partially filled.
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com
2007-06-27 10:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need something that they can climb onto and bask on. You also need a heat lamp, UV-B bulb, and should not be using gravel (it can cause impaction). Also, your tank is too small. Turtles can hold their breath for a VERY VERY long time if they're healthy. This goes back to whether or not you are providing them with the right temp. basking dock and bulbs (to process foods and vitamins), if you are giving them calcium supplements, and other vitamin supplements in addition to a proper varied diet (which should be high in protein if they are young).
2007-06-27 13:07:45 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to tell us what kind of turtles you have... Soft shell ? Box Turtles ? Sliders ? That will decide how much water they need. Land turtles only need water to drink. Snappers need more and any water turtle need water to swim in but need something to bask on. Give us more information please...
2007-06-27 08:59:51 · answer #5 · answered by Terry R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋