Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: nervous/excited about rehousing a RES

[flyjawn]

a friend of mine has to give up her year old RES. it was her husbands responbility so she doesn't really know much about it. she couldn't even tell me what size the tank is. i'm guessing from her description that it's a 20 gallon. i didn't even bother to ask about the filter/lamps etc.

so i'm excited because i have a fish aquarium and i love my fish and i think i will really love having a turtle.

anyways i will be picking up the turtle tomorrow so i'll be posting more very shortly.

oh and she said she's been feeding it goldfish and everything i read says that goldies aren't a good idea. will it bother the turtle to switch to other foods suddenly?

[emma]

It might take a while, but the turtle will eventually get to like other foods. Welcome to the forum!

[flyjawn]

thanks! i'm trying to absorb as much info as possible in preparation and i'm hoping that the turtle is in adequate housing for right now (i know i'll have to upgrade as some point).

what's the best way to move a turtle by the way?

[emma]

Read through this- http://redearslider.com/transportation.html

[LOBO]

im in the same boat as u fly. i'm gettina turtle from my friend. it doesnt have teh best set up. better then it was in before she got it but still needs more room. anyway shes been fedding him goldfish and pellets to fill in for some vitamins and such. how far are u transporting him? i have to drive mine all the way from massachusettes to new jersey. anyone have any tips on such a long ride. i read what the sites says alreayd but i liek to have some input if anyone has ever done something liek this before.

[flyjawn]

thanks for the link.

LOBO - i only have to go about 10 miles with my turtle so i'm lucky. but he'll have already gone about another 20 earlier today. his owner has to pick him up from her old house and take him to where she's staying now. i hope she transports him well.

i just have these images of her moving the whole tank filled with water.

i guess i'll see what i'm in for tonight. i'm going to the LFS later to get some food.

[LOBO]

well im gonna do what the site said, with towels and newspaper. i'll do my best to keep it warm, the car has good heat so it should be fine.

[megcornell]

LOBO- Since you're moving in winter and it's a relatively short distance (in terms of it's not days) I'd keep him dry and warm, and skip the moist part. He won't dehydrate in a day. Just make sure you have him in a safe container and keep it out of drafts, that is the biggest risk.
Naturally if you stop anywhere along the way for a rest (longer than filling up for gas) take him inside with you, cars cool off quickly. When I moved my RES from NY to colorado, I smuggled him into the restaurants with me. I used a large paper bag with handles, and just put his crate right inside it.

[LOBO]

thanks for the tips.

yeah i was thinkin some kind of tupperware container with newspaper or cloth or something. im gonna keep he rinmy lap the whole time so she'll be near the heat and that way i can keep the lid cracked for air without her escaping.

[megcornell]

Why don't you put some holes in the tupperware container? It's not like you can use it for food after the turtle has been in it anyways.

[LOBO]

true. i dont knwo why i didnt think of that.