All Turtles Message Board

hoover05 · Level 3 Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 137

Hi,
I'm going to be getting my first indoor turtle (hopefully) next week. I'm only 15 so I need to go to the fleamarket to get money for one before I can get one, lol.
Anyway, my mom said before I can get a turtle I needed to do research on what they need.
I'm going to be getting a Red Ear Slider. I looked around this site, of course, and found out what they need but a lot of it is expensive, for me anyway (like the UVB lights).

I was wondering what my turtle would need in the first few weeks?
If I have to take a loan out from my brother (lol) to get the more expensive things right away, than I will, but is there some things a turtle can go without?

Also, if I put him in the sunlight (like in front of a window), will he need the UVB light?

Thanks! I can't wait until I have a turtle! Laughing

Bbasso · Level 3 Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 139

My suggestion would be to buy all the correct items needed before getting a turtle. You might be anxious and ready to own / care for a turtle but with out the proper setup you might be a short time owner.

Since turtles never stay small... at least a RES I would suggest you pick up the largest tank you can. a Min of a 55gal, I use a fluval 404 and it kicks butt. and I have a air pump and a really nice lighhting unit from thatpetplace.com

If you want links to the light unit let me know. I'll be happy to get it for you.

good luck on your venture, But remember they live for a very long time and require a large amount of love.

hoover05 · Level 3 Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 137

thanks for the reply Very Happy

I know turtles live a very long time and I'm definitely ready to commit to it. My dog is too. She loves literally loves turtles.

We once had a box turtle that our friend gave us (he found it along side of the road), and we kept it outback. My mom said it couldn't stay in the house because turtles stink. Well, next thing we know, the turtle is inside the house, on my dogs blanket/bed in its shell and my dog is laying curled up next to it sleeping.
My mom said "Who brought the turtle in the house!?!?!" and then all of us kids said "not me".
I put it back outside and then a little while later I saw my dog pick it up like it was her puppy. Then later I saw her trying to pick it up again. She didn't hurt it--thank goodness.
The turtle ran away, I wonder why Laughing

My dog also gets along with birds. lol. Very strange. Only thing is, she doesn't normally try to pick them up because the ones we had wouldn't fly away or anything, they would just bite her when she even got her nose near them. lol

Of course, I'm not going to let this turtle near my dog's mouth. Rolling Eyes

Will I need a UVB light if I put it in front of a window?

Bbasso · Level 3 Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 139

if you place it in front of a window you might have to invest in a algae killing thing... it might even be more exspensive then a proper lighting unit .

take a look on www.thatpetplace.com and get an idea on what things cost and features.

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:27 am Post subject:

You can put the turtle outside (supervised) for a few hours a day until you can get a UV light, the glass on the window will filter out most of the UV rays, all you will be doing is heating your turtle and you can use a regular bulb for that Confused

_________________

hoover05 · Level 3 Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 137

ok thanks!
I'm looking at thatpetplace now. Is it a good place to buy things from? I mean, its not one of those places where they take your money and don't give you the item, is it? I'm sure its not, but you never know. lol. Besides I would have to convince my mom Wink

lol.

I'm not sure if my windows would filter all of the UV's from the sun. They are old windows. I might have to get a light. It is a little cold outside now. Sad

Winter is coming. lol

hoover05 · Level 3 Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 137

oh I forgot to ask, bbasso could you please tell me what light you are using? thanks!

Bbasso · Level 3 Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 139

Mine is very close to this... http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/R27/Class/Reptile+Supplies+Lighting+Fixtures/T1/R38CX+0047+0374/EDP/3779/Itemdy00.aspx
But has 3 incandescent bulb sockets.

this is what it looks like :

dixieee · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:17 pm Post subject:

welcome to the board Smile

well i guess there's nothing more to add except that ur dog is sweet. so good luck with ur coming turtle and keep us posted 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

Bbasso · Level 3 Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 139

For many years I have been buying from them and I never had any problems, great customer service and hard to beat prices.

EarthVsJazz · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:32 am Post subject:

TallysMom · Level 2 Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 60

I'd like to clarify that the UV rays are filtered out by glass -- even old glass. You can't get a sunburn through a window, can you? Well, your turtle can't get the UVA/B rays it needs to process calcium, etc. and keep its shell hard and stay healthy.

Just the way you need a little direct sun to make vitamin D to help keep the calcium in your bones -- and because we don't all get that, they put vitamin D in milk. Before they did that, in areas where the sun was weak (in the slums in England when there was so much fog due to coal-burning, for example) the children got rickets = weak bones.

So invest in the right kinds of lights, and you will have a long-lived, healthy happy turtle (assuming the rest of its care is good).

BTW, I don't know where you live, but check out http://www.craigslist.org for your area -- the Community Classifieds sections. Check Pets, Free, Household and General categories. That's where I have got most of my turtle stuff, at great prices or free (including the turtles). Of course you should see before you buy, but it is way cheaper than buying at a store, even an online store.

Only thing I would still buy new is the lightbulbs, as they do wear out even if they still shine (the UV rays run down).

Good luck!