All Turtles Message Board

StRyKeR · Guest Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 2

Well i have recently been wanting to get a turtle and i currently have a 10g tank that i dont use anymore. Im looking for a turtle that is small and doesn't get really big. A turtle that i can play with out of water but can still hold a habbitat in a 10g, is this possible? So im basicly looking for help on how to get started with a turtle tank. And would it be classified as a land or aquatic? Im looking for a turtle that i can sometimes play with Very Happy

sorry im new here. please reccomend me a species and a tank set-up.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1232

Hi and welcome to the forum.

In all honesty a 10 gal tank is way to small even for a smaller speices of turtle. A little stink pot or musk doesn't get to big but they still should have at least a 35 gal. One of the best ways of setting up a system, because lights and filters will set you back a pretty penny, is to start out with a rubbermaid tote. These you can find at your local Wall-Mart or Home Depot fairly reasonable.
You need to invest in a good filter. Turtles are messy so the recommendation is one rated at twice your tank size. SO.... if you have a 50 gal your filter should be rated for 100. Even though you don't fill the tank completely with water. The next investment is proper lighting. Sunlight filtered through glass does nothing other than grow alge in your tank. You need to get a good UVB bulb in order for your turtle to process calcium. You can find lots of good posts on here, some with pictures Laughing

, on setting up proper tanks for all types of water turtles.

Good luck and keep us posted.
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StRyKeR · Guest Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 2

James · Level 2 Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 85

Get a bigger tank -=p. Trust me you will like it and your turtles will enjoy it.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1232

You could use your setup for a few months. After that it would just be not very nice for your turtle. Not to mention harder for you to keep clean.
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trtlduv · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 11:31 am Post subject:

Welcome to the board, StRyKeR! I agree with deesy and James, you'll definitely want a bigger tank pretty soon. As for the undergravel filter, make sure you don't put any gravel in the tank that is small enough for your turt to swallow... it can cause major problems (blockage) or worse, death. Go for bigger pebbles/rocks so the turt doesn't run the risk of swallowing them! Good luck!! Wink

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shade & sweetwater!

dixieee · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 7:48 am Post subject:

welcome to the board Smile

the tank could hold for some time if u build an outer basking area for the turtle. like one over it with a ramp or something. that will give the turtle more space to grow. it would be better if u get a big rubbermaid. they don't cost a lot and come in big sizes. the only disadvantage of them is that they're no so fancy to be put for decoration
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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