All Turtles Message Board

cmsimmo · Level 1 Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 11

Okay, I am in the process of setting up my new aquarium. The dimensions are 36" by 12" by 17", which I believe calculates to just over 30 gallons. I have 4 RES hatchlings, so I think this gives them plenty of room for now. I sent today and purchased the water heater. I opted for the larger... they came in 10-30 and 30-60. It has an adjustable heat setting and I have a sticky thermometer on the outside of the aquarium so I can monitor the water setting. I have heard conflicting things on what the water temp should be. Right now I am thinking 78 degrees. Is that correct? I had a little trouble deciding what type of lighting to buy. I have a full hood with my aquarium, which I really want to use since I plan on having the water pretty full. I was shopping at Wal-mart so of course my options were limited. I know I need a UVB bulb, but are all flourescent aquarium bulbs UVB or what? How do I find out if it is full spectrum? I couldn't find anything on the box that said. Right now I have been using a black light, but I don't know how good that is. I really need to work on my beach area as well. I need to find some nice large river rocks to take up some of the space. Right now, they only have a large sea shell (about 5 inches wide) as a beach area. I have only been feeding the little guys turtle pellets at this point, but after reading this site, I have started experimenting. I gave them so raw beef and some lettuce last night. Of course, being young, they didn't care much for the lettuce, but they seemed to take to the beef. Any suggestions on preferences for hatchlings? What type of feeder fish do you use? Sorry, this is lenghty, but I want to be a good turtle mom! Question

dixieee · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject:

ok first, the black lights is not the UV one. i guess it's a heat source only. another thing to mention is make sure that the UV bulb gives out both UVA and UVB rays not only one of them..for food, i'd rather go for cooked meats. raw beef is not as bad as raw chicken but i personally boil or grill b4 giving them to my babies.

i hope i covered ur Q's. good luck and don't forget the pix when 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