All Turtles Message Board

castillo · Level 1 Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 6

I went to 3 pet stores today pricing the items that I think that I will need to set up my 55 gallon tank. I've pretty much decided on a RES since that seems to be the easiest turtle to find and get info on. Two diffrent stored sold them. One had larger turtles (just under 6 inches). The other store sold little tiny baby turtles about the size of a quarter. He said that he would sell me on "for educational purposes" wink wink. My question is which should I go with? It would be cool to raise a baby, but I would worry about such a little guy in a large tank. He might get sucked up by the filter or something (I've had fish that suffered that fate). I know eventually he'll grow into it, but what about in the meantime. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

turtles1 · Level 3 Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 196

u could put litle bits of netting large enough to let stuf through and small enough that the turtle wont get sucked in or put in like a wire type of thing where they wont be near the pump. or put some plastic plants in front of it so it will be in the way where the turtle cant get through them or maybe u can turn the suction down

Nevfalath · Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject:

Baby turtles are more delicate and harder to care for. Also, they are 100 times more likely to get a home than a larger Red Eared Slider. I would go for one of the bigger ones because they are less likely to be adopted. Sad

_________________
-= Shannon =-

castillo · Level 1 Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 6

That's a good point. I hadn't thought of more people wanting the babies. The pet stores are only a few miles apart.

Do you have to cycle the tank before you put the turtle in?

dixieee · Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 9:14 am Post subject:

yeah the bigger ones will be better. under 6 inches is still somewhat small but easier to care for cz baby turtles get diseases easily and quickly.

and yes it'll be better if u run the filter for a couple of days b4 putting the turtle in
_________________
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

castillo · Level 1 Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 6

What about cycling with fish? When I had my fish tank I used danios to filter for about a week.