Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Hello, New Turtle Owner

[painted babe]

Hello everyone,

I am a new turtle owner and have found this site very informative and helpful. We have just recieved two baby red eared sliders today. Their names are "Sparkle" (my daughters) and Leif (mine.) They are TINY, about an inch across. I have them both in a 10 gallon aquarium with one baby basking dock, some river rocks and a basking light with a reptile bulb in it.

Later this week I have arranged to purchase a used 70 gallon aquarium and I will be picking up another dock as well as they seem to be taking turns basking right now.

I understand that it can be difficult to keep the babies alive and I want to do everything I can to increase their chances as we are completely in love! I have purchased and offered baby reptomin though they have not eaten yet. I am also keeping the tank right around 80 degrees.

Do you think I should get another basking light for the other dock? I am also considering adding some sand. Also, I cannot tell if they are boys or girls! I know the boys are supposed to have longer claws and tails but with them being so tiny I just cannot make it out. I will post some pictures and if anyone else can tell the sex, or has any other advice or suggestions please let me know! It's nice to meet you all!

Alisha

[untsmurf]

Your turtles are cute!!! I miss when my mikey was that age. It sounds like you're taking all the right steps. It looks like you only have a heat lamp up. You'll want to make sure and get a UVB one too. If you can maintain your temps and get good UVB exposure to both docks, then you shouldn't need two lamps. Also, you should pick up a few digital thermometers (there aren't any in the pics) to make sure the water and the basking area are always the right temps.

As for the not eating thing, it takes new turtles a little while to settle in before they start eating. So don't freak out if they don't eat for their first few days.

[PcBuilder14]

Mine took a week to eat so don't worry, also buy yourself a fake plant and raise the water as high as possible but low enough so they can't climb out. The reason for the plant is so they have something to rest on other than the basking dock.

[TMNTmommie]

You won't be able to tell the sex for awhile yet so hold tight on that front. Also, I notice that you have that big square-ish rock in the tank. I can't tell if it has any sharp edges but my babies got pretty scratched up on a rock like that and I couldn't even tell that it was sharp! Just keep an eye out and good luck with them!

[Chrisbarnett]

Cute little turtles, I must say. Supermannin away on the basking dock!

Yeah sex wont be determined until their shells reach 4".

so i don't see a water heater, and im wondering how you are keeping the water temp at 80F? You should get one to prevent dangerous temp drops at night, especially with little hatchlings!

Welcome to the forums!

[drtweak]

reminds me of my mikey who just passed away friday morning...he was just a baby....

but they are cute. I want one with a shell design like that again. Mikey was definatly the cuter one of the two.

[turboturtle8]

Welcome!!
Nice setup but make sure you have a UVB light above the basking area along with the heat light

[painted babe]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the responses! There are still some things that I definitely need. For the water temp, I just have a regular thermomenter and I make sure that it stays in the right range, which so far it has, but I figured I could take water out with a bucket and add more warm water to adjust it if I need to as a temporary technique until I get the water heater.

I am also planning on getting the UVB lamp and aquatic plants. I am very excited about setting them up wonderfully. Eventually, I'd love to set up a nice above tank basking area like those on your photos!

They are adorable little guys.. and I'm glad to hear they may be slow to eat and it's not just mine. They seem hesitant to go up on their little dock, especially when the other one is already up there and I'm worried they will tire themselves out and drown. I'm hoping they just need to get used to their new setup.

I'm picking the new aquarium up on Thurs, so I can begin upgrading soon! Thanks again for all your advice!

Alisha

[LorJ]

Welcome!

Babies are adorable. Thanks for sharing pics with us.

[Daniel3507]

you could get a suction cup soap holder like you would use in the shower so they have something to rest on in the water. put it in the water but high enough so they can stick their nose out. there are some people that use them in their tanks and their turtles sleep on them

[emma]

Very cute.
welcome.

[ScrewZoo]

Hello everyone,

I am a new turtle owner and have found this site very informative and helpful. We have just recieved two baby red eared sliders today. Their names are "Sparkle" (my daughters) and Leif (mine.) They are TINY, about an inch across. I have them both in a 10 gallon aquarium with one baby basking dock, some river rocks and a basking light with a reptile bulb in it.

Later this week I have arranged to purchase a used 70 gallon aquarium and I will be picking up another dock as well as they seem to be taking turns basking right now.

I understand that it can be difficult to keep the babies alive and I want to do everything I can to increase their chances as we are completely in love! I have purchased and offered baby reptomin though they have not eaten yet. I am also keeping the tank right around 80 degrees.

Do you think I should get another basking light for the other dock? I am also considering adding some sand. Also, I cannot tell if they are boys or girls! I know the boys are supposed to have longer claws and tails but with them being so tiny I just cannot make it out. I will post some pictures and if anyone else can tell the sex, or has any other advice or suggestions please let me know! It's nice to meet you all!

Alisha

right now its too hard to tell their sex, and about the keeping alive thing from what you've said you're going to purchase it looks like they are gonna live long healthy lives, but be careful about aggression, they tend to kill each other from occasion so when u get that 70 gal. maybe look into a tank divider and making a separate habitat on each side until they grow older and u feel comfortable with them together. Welcome to turtle talk!

[ScrewZoo]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the responses! There are still some things that I definitely need. For the water temp, I just have a regular thermomenter and I make sure that it stays in the right range, which so far it has, but I figured I could take water out with a bucket and add more warm water to adjust it if I need to as a temporary technique until I get the water heater.

I am also planning on getting the UVB lamp and aquatic plants. I am very excited about setting them up wonderfully. Eventually, I'd love to set up a nice above tank basking area like those on your photos!

They are adorable little guys.. and I'm glad to hear they may be slow to eat and it's not just mine. They seem hesitant to go up on their little dock, especially when the other one is already up there and I'm worried they will tire themselves out and drown. I'm hoping they just need to get used to their new setup.

I'm picking the new aquarium up on Thurs, so I can begin upgrading soon! Thanks again for all your advice!

Alisha

they'll never be tired out from swimming, thats what they love to do!

**EDIT - If you dont mind, you could fill the water up a bit more, or as much as u can where they got room to bask, the more water is better.

[ChocoTurtle]

cute

[alexthecoolest]

nice turle