All Turtles Message Board

queendragon · Guest Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 2

A few weeks ago this lady was outside of a Target selling baby silder turtles .. My daughter always wanted a pet turtle so I asked this lady how hard they are to take care of and she said very easy .. They already came with a tiny critter carriers and food .. The lady said leave a little water in the carrier and feed them daily and make sure they get sunlight .. I was like great .. A guy at work has turtles as well and said the same thing .. I learned they wher both wrong .. I went to Petco to get a bigger tank for my turtles and some things for a desent habitat .. I learned a whole new set of rules for taking care of my new sliders including this lady sold them to me illeaglly ( yes I allready feel dumb and should of known better ) .. Anyways @ the moment I cant afford a 40 gallon tank for my cute critters .. So I put them in a 40 gallon storage bin with a floating rock to bask on .. The turtles seem happy healthy and swim allot .. I just need to know how long I can keep them in the tub until I can afford a better tank and how big I need the tank to be .. I really do want the best habitat for these little animals ..

Also I have been searching the internet on how to care for them .. And but thought it would be nice to get some actual advice from owners of red ear sliders on the best way to care for them .. Any advice is more them welcome .. Thank you ..

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:38 am Post subject:

Don't feel bad about not knowing about the little turtles, alot of us were in the same boat, luckily, there is alot of good information on this site.

That 40 gallon container is good, just need a UV source, unless you take them out in the sun daily. Very Happy

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

We kept Tucker in a 40 gallon rubbermaid for a while too. Really, they don't "need" a fancy aquarium as long as you've provided for their needs such as UVB light (for making sure they can process calcium and vitamins properly), a basking light. Thermometer to know the water temp and a filter to keep the water clean are the other important things. Maybe a long fake plant for the turtles to use to help pull themselves to the surface/sleep in.

This is not the definitive slider care guide, but it should give you all the important information. http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm. You will be surprised at how many myths people believe about the care of turtles/reptiles, if you haven't been already!

Good luck! Check out the picture gallery for future ideas for your tank. http://www.allturtles.com/msgboard/topic6065.html

queendragon · Guest Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 2

Well last night my Boyfriend brought home Crush and Squirt home a used 55 gallon tank .. We got a floating basking rock and a UVB lamp .. We will slowly build there habitat up one pay check at a time .. I can not wait till its done .. Crush ans Squirt seem very happy and are definitly healthy swimmers and eaters .. Crush loves to play with the water that comes out of the filter and Squirt swims around for several minutes at a time and then basks ..

I have to say I am very glad that I found this web site .. Its been very helpful .. I will keep everyone posted on Crush and Squirt growth ..

Traci1972 · Level 1 Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Dont feel bad we were the same way a friend gave us ours and so the turtles were free but the care gets to costing more than you think. i got a 55 tank, stand, gravel, heater and pumps and filter for $65 but we are replacing the filter for a better one soon when we can afford it, we got a undergravel filter, we bought a back ground, had to get a new light since those were wrong and a new hood piece for the other light. so our $65 tank now is $200 tank the hood is ordered and should be here in a few days. and then when we get the new filter it will be $270 tank.