All Turtles Message Board

disneychris · Level 1 Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 11 Location: New Jersey

Hi Everyone,

I'm in the market for a heater for my 20 gallon tank. I'd really like to try to keep the spending between $30-$50. What kind of heater do you recommend I get? I was looking at a ceramic one, but being a newbie, I'm not really sure what the guidlines for a heater are and what the best one for my money is.

Thanks!
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STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:25 am Post subject:

Usually the reason for getting a more expensive heater is because the more expensive they are, the more rugged they are, and when the turtle gets bigger, they will be more curious and they are pretty strong and heavy while swimming, so if they bump into the heater they will break it, that can be remedied by putting some kind of guard with holes around it so that the water can circulate (usually a piece of pvc pipe).

If you live in an airconditioned room, the turtles would probably not need the heater, I haven't used it since winter weather, the water temp. stays around 80 deg. F., once the winter weather comes around, I will probably use it again. Very Happy

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RESrule · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:28 pm Post subject:

i have a heater that was 50$ it is shatter resistant and has a knob u set it on a certain temp and it heats the water to that temp if the water gets above the temp u set it on it stops working to cool the water down i will get the name and where to get it for u i also put my tank next to a air vent so the AC cools the water it keeps it at a good temp but in the winter i move it to the corner with no heat so it doesn't get to hot i hope this helped good luck Very Happy

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disneychris · Level 1 Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 11 Location: New Jersey

The reason why we felt perhaps we needed a heater was because right now our water temp is between 73 and 77 in an air conditioned room. Is this warm enough?
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"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me."

-Walt Disney

RESrule · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:45 am Post subject:

well what kind of turtle do u have if it is a baby RES wich i have 2 they like the water around 82 adults like it at about 72 73 but teel me what kind of turtle u have and is it a baby or an adult

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disneychris · Level 1 Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 11 Location: New Jersey

I have 3 baby RES Smile

. Only one is mine to keep, the others are going to their parents homes soon (hopefully! LOL).
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"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me."

-Walt Disney

RESrule · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:13 pm Post subject:

lol

k good then keep the temp at 82 to 88
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STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:20 am Post subject:

Hey RESrule, I would be careful with the airconditioner vent being too close to the turtles, they can get RI from drafts, if you want to cool down the water, you can always put some icecubes in the tank, or you could cool down some water in a bucket before you put the water in the tank. Very Happy

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RESrule · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:23 am Post subject:

thank u i didn't know that Surprised

i will move my tank now and then put ice cubes in it
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RESrule · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:26 am Post subject:

1 question what's RI

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STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:36 am Post subject:

Respiratory Infection, bad thing. Sad

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RESrule · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:29 pm Post subject:

ok thanks i moved it and put ice cubes in it
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STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject:

Great, I'm sure your turtle thanks you Very Happy

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RESrule · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject:

yup
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Donnar · Guest Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 4

HELP!!!... My daughter was given two baby RES turtles, she lost interest so now I am taking over. We have had them for about 3 months. We lost one he flipped over and drowned. They are roughly about 1 1/2 to 2 inches. I thought I had the right amount of water but I guess not.

With so little water in the tank how do you keep it clean. A filter will not work with this amount of water. We have a 20 gal tank we made 1/2 for land for basking and the other water.

Also all the heaters are designed for tanks with a higher water level then I currently have. What type of heater would work with 1/2 inch to 2 inches of water???? The water feels very cold.

Also my remaining turtle seems lazy, not active at all. I'm worried I'm going to lose this one too. Just have been feeding him the pellets you buy in the store for turtles, aren't they too little to eat anything else. Sad

He was eating very good, now he hasn't eaten in about 1 week.

Appreciate any help that comes my way.

turtleman1 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 210 Location: kentucky

donnar you need more water about 4-5in.

RESrule · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:14 pm Post subject:

or u colud get an under water filter and heater thas wat i got it is costly though they were about $134 all Surprised

together
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Donnar · Guest Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 4

Thanks for all your help

Donnar