All Turtles Message Board

andralusia2 · Level 1 Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

Hello,
I am new to your forum and to owning turtles. My husband and I have just inherited three water turtles. I am not sure what kind they are, but I will post a pic of them under the "what am I" forum later. I was told all kinds of things and have read tons of stuff too, but I haen't been able to find the answer to a tank question I have, so hopefully you guys can help.

Is it true that the bigger the tank you get, the bigger your turtles will grow? I know it sounds crazy, but this is what I was told and I want to move my turtles to a bigger tank, but if they are just going to keep getting bigger every time I upgrade, what is the point.

ANY ADVICE PLEASE!!! THANKS!!!!

dixieee · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:12 am Post subject:

this is why it is better if u get a big tank from the beginning..they will keep growing but they will eventually stop..turtles reach up to 14" but they live for 20 yrs+ so it will take them time until they reach their growth limit..u have 3 turtles so get them the biggest tank u could get from now
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

TallysMom · Level 2 Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 60

I'm not sure about the connection between growth and tank size -- my turtle came with her 10-gallon tank and she was already 6" long. The tank was way too small -- the rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch of turtle.

I agree, get a bigger tank now, just for the simplicity of it. I think their growth depends more on their feeding than their habitat. But maybe if they are cramped and unhappy and can't get much exercise they eat less?