All Turtles Message Board

deemom · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 7

My dtr is obcessed with turtles ever since she did a long research paper on kemp riddley's and went on a field trip to the ocean and saw the hatching processes. I've just bought her 2 red ear sliders and they are "supposed"to be about 12 weeks old (if pet stores don't lie). They are pretty small... maybe 2 inches. We were sold a small turtle habitat with an island to crawl up on...turtles don't seem to be going up it tho. They also sold us a filter... just to keep water clean and some dried turtle food....mostly a shrimp mix. So, what are we missing??? Anything important?
They don't seem to be eating....they do walk around. We took them out back on the patio table to be in the sun for a bit this morning. My dtr would be devastated if they died because we did something ignorant. I'm skimming over this site and you guys are awesome!
Sarah's mom! Very Happy

deemom · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 7

Thought I'd add. We live in Georgia and they don't sell small RES turtles here and bought them in Florida on vacation. I thought it was funny that they can't sell them under 3" in diameter in Ga, because they pose a choking hazard to children??!!! Laughing

dixieee · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:56 pm Post subject:

welcome to the board, glad u like it here Smile

so u got ur daughter the coolest beginner turtles..first of all, get them another setup cz this one with the little island has the name "death bowl"..i wonder how did the filter fit in there but anyways u can get them at least a 20-gallon tank or go for a rubbermaid it'll be bigger and cheaper..the filter is ok, putting them in direct sun for a couple of hours a day is important but when it gets cooler u can't do it anymore so u'll have to get them UV bulbs..a basking area is needed and it is normal if they don't get on it for the first week or so cz they're still too young and scared..another thing a setup would need, a heater and a heat lamp..those will be needed to keep the temps stable inside but if the weather is warm now u can wait for some time b4 getting them (unplanned budget we all know Rolling Eyes

)

for the 3" rule, actually it is a 4" one and i'm surprised it's about choking hazard

turtles carry salmonella that's all but i still don't agree with the rule cz they won't harm unless u don't wash ur hands after touching them

anyways, read the care sheets on the top of the page if u need more info and if u still have any doubts, feel free to ask..we're also here to discuss and chat about different turtle issues so if u have any stories or ideas we'll be glad if u share them Very Happy

enjoy ur turtles..
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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

deemom · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 7

could someone please post a pic of a turtle setup using a rubbermaid tub. Sad

I can't picture it. This "habitat" I purchased comes w/ a indented area to put the filter in. I haven't actually set it up yet. I hadn't really planned on more and more purchases. I talked to the pet shop owner and was content at the current investment. Understand it was at the end of vacation and we are feeling pretty broke. I wish we had a tank somewhere or knew where to get a cheaper used one...... Sad

Also, we have 2 cats....if using a rubbermaid tub...any suggestions for keeping cats from getting into it? Thanks. Going to check on the referenced care info. Looking for alternate food....it worries Sarah that she hasn't seen them eat.
Sarah's mom

dixieee · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:15 pm Post subject:

i use a rubbermaid but it's not a perfect one and i don't have pix for the whole setup, sorry..it's just a normal rubbermaid..those big tupperwares..u can use the filter and everything normally..for stopping the cats from going in there hmmm..u can "build" a screen on top of the setup..

tell ur daughter not to worry bcz it's common if new turtles don't eat for the first couple of weeks..but keep trying with them..u may want to try tuna fish cz it's smelly and will get their attention easily..it worked with my babies so try it Smile

_________________
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

deemom · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 7

Why is the habitat called the "death bowl"? Here is a picture of it
(trying to figure out how to insert pic.... lol)

[img]http://static.zoovy.com/img/upstatewholesale/-/dsc02192[/img]
oops! don't know how to insert pic correctly... Sad

I'm trying to figure out the very basic starting needs..... ok tank, no prob!
screen (to protect from cats) no prob! ...does it filter out too much uv?
uvb bulb for basking???? Is that correct? submersible heater and filter?? Is floating raft for basking good? Would I need a log to stick up too? I'm suuuuuuuch a newbie!!! They are soooo cute, but I didn't plan on $100+ to start up this..... aye yai yai!!!!!

[/img][/quote]

dixieee · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:03 pm Post subject:

no u're posting the pic in the right way but i don't know why it isn't showing..i could see it if i cope/paste it though..yes this is the death bowl and it is called so bcz it doesn't have the least thing a turtle needs + it can't hold any if u want to set them up..although personally i think it would be cute if they enlarge it and make some enhancements so it could be suitable for turtles..

the screen should have big holes so the UV rays don't get filtered..that means a glass wouldn't do although i read that there are some types that don't filter but i still don't suggest that..a screen of chicken wires or something similar will do perfectly..

floating raft would be ok as long as the turtles could get completely dry up there..make sure it is easily accessible for them..

so u seem to handle it, u're on the right path..u can add other stuff for decoration but make sure that anything is bigger than the turtles' heads so they don't choke with anything

good luck and we would like to see some pix as soon as u're done Smile

_________________
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

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:40 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the board:D

Here is a picture of the basic necessities for a small turtle, the bigger the turtle, the bigger the setup, the rule is 10 gallons for every inch of shell.:

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