All Turtles Message Board

flexney · Guest Joined: 07 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Hi there, I recently rescued 3 baby RES from a neighborhood kid and just bought them a 110 gallon tank. It's a ridiculous size at the moment, but I figure in the end, it'll be ideal. But what I could use right NOW is some advice about how to set it up.

In the tiny 15 gallon tank, we use a small reptile canister in-tank filter, gravelly material at the bottom and a "dock" thingy for them to bask on under their heating lamp dealie. But I am just unsure ab out how to set up this gi-normous new tank. I assume I'll need one of those 405 fluval out-of-tank filters, yes??

Can anyone make suggestions about how to set this new space up for maximum reptilian pleasure?? Thanks, Dana

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 351

ull need a uvb lamp to.
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Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007

Jdude101 · Level 3 Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 191 Location: Georgia

Since I don't have a UVB lamp, does anyone know of good food that contains vitamin D3

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 351

theres cuttle bone i think
_________________
Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007

stirland06 · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:15 pm Post subject:

if you get the "king british turtle and terrapin complete food #" then tht contains vitimin d3
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)@$0/\/

skslover · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject:

I would get a SUBMERSABLE Fluval like I have and you can buy real plants that wont dirty your tank and i would get small rocks for the tank they need them to digest hm thats all i can think of besides a place to hide and get some guppies or minnows
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I miss my turtles spikeI and Buffy.I am glad to have Killer SpikeII and Sarih and Tiger.Luv the barn cats Pirrate Bindi Tigger Comet Poppy Onyx Snowball and Boo. Luv the dogs Baker Nike AlleyMay Bruno Boox2, and Shyshy. Luv the horses but mainly Shadow.

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 207

The biggest submersible Fluval (Fluval 4) is geared for 100 gallons. Most people on this board would agree that you need a filter MUCH more powerful than the water you have, say 2x. That said, a friend of mine uses a pair of Fluvals in his 75 gallon tank and it works pretty darn well. A single 4 in 100 gallons with THREE messy turtles probably won't keep up very well.

Austin's Turtle Page has an excellent article comparing and contrasting the two most popular canister filters, the Fluval 404 and Filstar XP3. It also includes the Eheim series, which I REALLY want but it's a great deal pricier than the Filstar or Fluval series. German engineering and all that. =D

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/eheimfluval.htm

Your turtles are lucky, they should be good for a long, long time if not their lives with that size tank, depending on how big they get and if they stay friendly to each other.

Water Level

They're babies, but they're sliders. They can swim. They're born capable of swimming. With so much *space* you'll probably be fine with six inches or so of water. Add in some structures or floating plastic plants with which the turtles can use to surface if they feel tired, or to rest on without getting out of the water.

Basking

You have the basking lamp and a platform, so you're probably good. But word of advice from experience, when the turtles start sinking the floating basking spot... go BIG with the next one, because my God, they grow so fast. I actually have the second largest Zoo-Med floating platform and Tucker at five inches long is starting to sink it (I'm going to construct a really good spot soon).

Lighting

You've got a basking lamp, great. Add on a Repti-Sun 5.0 light for the UVB. There are other brands, search around. Most sites I've looked at recommend Repti-Sun 5.0 and it seems to be very common. Note! In addition to the "long" fluorsecent style, the Repti-Sun 5.0 is now available in a compact energy-saver bulb! Same benefits, but easier to use and more energy-efficient. Buy a couple outdoor timers from Wal-Mart or wherever to regular the lighting cycle and make it easy on yourself.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/guidetolighting.htm

Stuff

-Be careful with small gravel. If the turtles at all appear to be eating it, get rid of it. Or to be safe, replace it with big river rocks.

-Heater, thermometer, etc.

-Water conditioner of some kind (repti-safe, etc. Check the turtle aisle)

-Food? Reptomin is good, there are other recommended brands like Mazuri, what is available near you... baby repto-min is very good for babies with their cute tiny mouths. Some snacks are good too, again, check the turtle aisle. Fresh romaine, though they might not take it until they're older, they *need* more protein when younger anyways. Feel free to toss a few feeder fish in there, though your guys might not be up to it yet. Snails! They clean the tank... until the turtle realizes there's good eating inside that shell. Toss in a cuttlebone for calcium, the turtles will both have fun chasing it and get the calcium they need.

-Some "stuff" for the turtles so they feel comfortable. Floating/hanging plants (check the reptile section of petsmart or your pet store), rocks, fake tree roots or stumps. There are lots of options. Don't be surprised to see your turtles sleeping suspended amongst the plants, near the surface, or even on top of some kind of lock/rock formation a bit below the surface. So ridiculously cute.

Oh, and get a gravel vacuum if you don't already have one for water changes. You aren't going to be lifting that monster tank to the tub for water changes. =) Personally I suck out about a quarter tank a week and replace
There are always options out there.. What I am saying is what I have learned in the care of Tucker and a great deal of research from sources that seem to have it together. I've received good information from this forum, though one always has to sift through the good and bad. Austins Turtle Page is great. Tortoisetrust.org is helpful. PetTurtle.com has a good forum as well. Good luck, and please post some pictures when you have this set-up! Sounds like your guys are going to get a rad home.

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 207

Jdude101 · Level 3 Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 191 Location: Georgia

with christmas coming along and what not i asked for alot of stuff for em. so i should be able to afford one after. i still have to get a better filter, first, cause ight now i have 25 gallons of water with a 25 gallon filter, lol

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 207

Yes. Turtles should come with a warning. "They will never stop costing you money."

Come to think of it, pet stores should be telling people that... but then they'd get less sales. Blarg. But seriously. If I'd known how much $$$ I'd spend in a year on Tucker...

skslover · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

oh i agree they are very costly my first turtle cost me several hundred $
_________________
I miss my turtles spikeI and Buffy.I am glad to have Killer SpikeII and Sarih and Tiger.Luv the barn cats Pirrate Bindi Tigger Comet Poppy Onyx Snowball and Boo. Luv the dogs Baker Nike AlleyMay Bruno Boox2, and Shyshy. Luv the horses but mainly Shadow.

theclayton · Level 1 Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 18

Get a Rena canister filter instead of a fluval, they are more efficient and will leave your tank sparkling. If you buy everything right the first time, then the cost issue becomes a one time deal. You won't ever really need a larger tank, but just in case, get a filter and heater that has a higher capacity then the tank you have. Full spectrum lighting is very important with a excellent spot to bask on. Plants and stones make a nice touch. Tiny pebbles will most likely be eaten by the turtle, but research shows that a few eaten pebbles is good for the digestive system.

Repto-Min is a decent food to give your turtles.
The repti-safe water condition isn't bad either. It retails for around 9.99

The easiest way for you to clean your tank would be to spend some more money and get a python hose which hooks right up to your sink. You can suck the water out with this, as well as fill the tank up. Once the tank is emptied, give it a good wipe down with vinegar mixed with water.