All Turtles Message Board

Limited Edition

Hello,

I'm a new forum member here! I've searched for many turtle forums and this seem to be very well put together so i've joined. I've been a RES owner for nearly 10 years now. They were pasted on from my brother which decided he wanted to move onto better things. Ever since, I have been fascinated by these girls and took good care of them. They are approx 18-19 human years today. There's 3 of them; 7,8 and 9 inch in diameter all female.

I just recently purchased a long over due aquarium. They have lived in a 25 gallon tank for about 8-10 years prior to this and have just moved up to this 99-100 gallon tank! Although, I wish I had space for something large, I would have gone to about 120 gallon (which still does not meet the need for the basic 1inch=10 gallon rule) I can't imagine keeping a 200g tank indoors?

I've got the basic necessities such as filter for up to 60 gal, 200 watt heater and a basking spot light. I also purchase a 48" signle T-8 lighting which houses a 'Aqua-glo' tube for presentation purpose. I find this light to be too unrealistic for RES habitat for everyday usage though.

Anyhow, this size tank is as big as I could go and i'm in desperate need of help getting slates for land area. I need beter circulation and more decor!
Give me some input/ideas.

Let me know what you think!

Here's a picture of them happy during the summer time in this extra large kiddie pool.

summer time pictures:

Gotta love the sun! this is no 'basking light'

Now for the new 99-100g aquarium:

I hope you've enjoyed this first posting of mine! I hope to learn a lot from all of you.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Storm_Rider · Level 2 Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 99

alot of fake plants? oh and i dont think the t-8 is a uvb/uva type bulb, i might be wrong though

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

I would take out the small rocks. Your turtles may try to eat them.

Limited Edition · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the inputs. My RES don't mistaken the gravel as food and they never seem to mistaken eat them. I bought this along with the new aquarium in hopes to change up the looks. They used to associated with black gravel which was dull and boring.

The funny this is, I have used artifical lily pads and they chose to eat that! I have seen many baby RES set ups with artifical plants and they don't seem to care for them. Mine on the other hand are different...

No, the T-8 Aqua Glo is not a UVB/UVA light. I was told from the petshop that because my RES are already adults they don't require this source anymore? This is only important when infacts-baby-adolescents are still growing to acheive a healthy shell. According to what they say, those bulbs at a rate of 5-6 hours is only eqivualent to 1 hr of sunlight.
During the hot summer of 4 months here in Toronto, they get a good 8 hrs+ of it.

Fred_and_George · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject:

toronto isnt that hot, i live in kingston, so im close. but they still need some, they can still develop shell rot, i beleive, and they need the basking time in teh winter to help digest their food and absorb the nutrients, its very important.
_________________
I love my turtles! Smile

Limited Edition · Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject:

Miss B. · Guest Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 4

i would definitely put in more water....even the basking rocks can stand a little more so its easier for them to get up + because of their size more swimming space Razz

Tiffany · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:34 am Post subject:

I personally have heard over and over how my turtle never eats the gravel...and then show them a handfull after the gravel is removed. Take out all the gravel for a week and see if you don't get some. No matter how big the turtle they still need uva/uvb. As an adult human I still need calcium to stay healthy so would an adult turtle. No amount of time in the summer will be good enough for them in the winter. A couple days tops without it is all I suggest. My larger ones also eat plastic plants. I use either real ones or nothing. A few rocks and they are happy. If the tank looks bare a ceramic statue cold work but with the larger ones they will knock it over. Place a few branches for them to go under and over....get them from a petstore or a bird store as those are safe, have nothing on them and no added bugs. And use your imagination. These bigger ones can be brutal with decorations so watch what is in there. I also recomend more water. The more they have the better everything will be. My baby one inch res are in 17 inches deep water. I have even 5 inch res in 4 foot of water. Not possible for everyone but they are awsome swimmers and can handle it.
_________________
3 sulcata,11 red ears,1 yellow belly,1 melanistic slider,1 map,1 western painted,2 3 toe boxies,1 striped mud,2 japanese pond,2 common musk,1 russian,1 ornate wood,1 FL Cooter,7 annam pond,2 back wood,1 Malayan box,1 Red belly