Habitat - Indoor :: Tank size vs. growth rate

[Mojotroll]

I know all turtles are going to be different, but approximately how long can I expect a 75 gallon tank to be sufficient? (Hatchling -> 7.5")

[jenaero]

That depends on what/how much you're feeding. My 2 hatchling RES are 1 year old and already about 5 inches each, due to overfeeding in the first few months. I researched about all the other care requirements and kind of left food til last. I've read on several sites that growth of 1 inch per year is ideal. If you can manage that, you're looking at 5-7 years (leaving room for error here).

Forgot to mention if you end up having a male (just one turt right?) then he'll be good in there for life, although bigger is always better. 10 gallons per inch is the minimum only.

[Mojotroll]

Yeah, planning on just having one at the moment. I would ideally like to only purchase 1 tank, but if I can have long enough before it outgrows the tank, an upgrade down the road is possible. I've found a 75g for $150. The 90 is double that and the 120 is even worse.

[jenaero]

If you're careful with feeding it should run you at least a few years. That's plenty of time to save up some extra cash for an upgrade down the road. Get a long tank instead of the regular tall fish tank. More surface area is better. Turts swim round and round and back and forth more than they swim up and down.

[Mojotroll]

Thanks for the info.