Habitat - Indoor :: gravel?

[Sally]

I'm setting up a new tank for my RES. In the old one, I had some flat slabs of rock on the bottom but everyone at the different pet stores I went to said that turtles like a couple inches of gravel to burrow (actually I already bought several large bags). From reading and seeing pictures of people's tanks, it seems like most people don't use gravel and that the turtles might even eat the gravel so I'm at a lost. Is it best to forgo the gravel or is it atleast innocuous? If turtles like to burrow, I'd like to give her a place to do that.

I'm also trying to make a dry area so she can climb out and bask and maybe walk around. She's a bit over 5 inches. How large a basking area does she need or does she just need enough space to climb out and perch and not necessarily to walk around and dig.

[sonyj]

Do not use the gravel. The risks of her eating it are too high and would cause a lot of health issues. Many people use a few river rocks that their turtle can push around the bottom. The only time I've heard of RES burrowing is when they hibernate (which captive RES should not do) or they are being transported (to a vet etc) and then they can burrow under soft cloths for the trip. Also, no gravel or substrate will help keep the water quality better longer.


Remember that RES are aquatic and needs as much swimming room as you can give them so your basking area should not take up valuable swimming room. This is why many people use basking docks that float with the water or above tank home-made basking areas. She needs enough space to comfortably bask but not necessarily walk around on daily. The only time she will need land is for a nesting area which should be set up separately from (but connected to) the tank for all female RES. Here's a link for nesting ideas if you haven't read up on it yet: Nest Sites

[missibsu]

For a variety of basking area options, go to the photo gallery. Many people have posted pictures that can give you some ideas that may fit what you have in mind.

[steve]

They do like to dig around but they are usually rummaging around for a snack. Gravel ingestion is a HUGE problem and a few people resort to sand or very fine gravel. Those have an easier time passing but will likely clog your filter and reduce water quality. River rocks (large enough that they WILL NOT fit inside your turtle's head) are a fairly good alternative.

[marisa]

You don't need to use a lot of the river rocks, either. Just enough so your turtle has something to forage in and push around. I usually place them in one area of the tank and my turts move them around. Interesting to see the patterns that result.

[Sally]

So no for the gravel...unfortunately, I lost the receipt for the gravel and I bought quite a few bags. I guess I can put it in the feeder tank but I certainly don't need that much gravel.

The idea I had for the basking area was to suspend an acrylic platform from the side/rim of the tank, so as to not interfere with the swimming area. Since I'm building this, I was wondering if there was an advantage to making a larger area than, say, the turtle dock so the turtle can walk around.

[missibsu]

My turtle dock is bigger than one turtle needs...for the size they are now. I find that when they are on it they move around depending on how much heat they want. As they get warmer they move further away. Also, your turt is going to grow, it would save you having to rebuild when he gets bigger.

[steve]

There are several options for basking areas. Mine is currently larger than they need but I wouldn't say they could "walk around". They could turn around and easily shift positions though. It also has a lower level that is underwater and they like to sleep there, take a rest or just hand around.

If the bags are unopened, they might take it back... maybe for store credit.

[missibsu]

Just a comment on the gravel for your breeder tank. I should have mentioned it earlier, but didn't think of it.

I've had gravel in my breeder tank for over 6 months. Now my breeder tank has guppies and snails, and when I decided this last time around to take the gravel out, it was a mess. There were snail eggs on the gravel. I couldn't tell snails from gravel without going through the gravel a handfull at a time. The gravel was just holding too much muck and I was tired of trying to get it clean. At least if you go ahead with the gravel in the breeder tank, put in a decent undergravel filter first!

[Sally]

Luckily I found the receipt for the 2 unopened bags I had. I still have 55 pounds in gravel though. It'll make for some nice potted plants I guess. Strangely, no one at the pet store has ever heard of turtles eating gravel. This is a Big Al's Warehouse so they are aquarium specialists. They also told me I only need to half fill the tank so maybe I should stop asking them for advice.