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I just bought a $10 Sterilite (similar to Rubbermaid) 23 gallon plastic storage bin at Wal-Mart today. I have a slightly smaller fish tank as well. I am on a tight budget and can only afford more-a basking lamp, floating area, and fake plants. My three turtles are about 2 inches each. Which container should I use? This was the biggest one I could afford. If I use the plastic, I do not need to buy a filter since I'll manually change the water.

How do you carry the filled plastic rubbermaid if it's so heavy? Do you empty it slowly with buckets? Is it safe to keep the turtles there if there is that "plastic smell"?

I really want to get started as soon as possible, so I am desperate for opinions asap.

I would use the rubbermaid, the more room the better. Don't worry about having everything right away (mine and my mothers didn't and they're ok). You've already made a good start, just save up for the UBV light they cost about $15-$20 and a filter (not sure if you have one or not) depending on where you get them from.

And as for the plastic smell, just rinse it really well with hot water and it should go away.

Even with the plastic bin, I would use a filter or you'll need to change the water very often. The filter will help the water quality which is important to your turtles in the long run.

UVB is very important, so work towards getting them one soon or take them outside for unfiltered sun which will help them tremendously(weather permitting)

BTW, I saw a 45 gallon sterlite/(rubbermaid?) bin/container at Sam's Club last week for $14. You may want to check there as well.

Yeah, i would go ahead and get the rubbermaid. I started a post here about a week ago wondering the same questions you have. I got a 50 gallon for 15 bucks. It bows out in the middle but i just use a bungee to help support it. You absolutely need a filter when you have a turtle. They are messy and you cant go around carrying a 50g tub of water nor would you want to mess with buckets with something that size. It would take all day.

I agree with Sonja, you can pick up a much bigger storage container to use. 3 turts @ 2" will still grow fast so you need to prepare (warm up that credit card). Even a 45 gallon will not be large enough, especially when you consider that they cannot be filled to the top unless a brace is built to give them strength.

You will need a filter and a uvb light (they need to get replaced every 6 months) and you can make your own basking area. A water heater is needed too but they are fairly cheap.

Never move any container like a tank while it still has water. The plastic container will eventually wear out and will need to be replaced.

If you're going to go for rubbermaid, you might as well go for a stock tank. Yes more expensive than the ones you buy in Walmart.. etc. but they are bigger and less expensive than glass tanks. A filter as crocs27 said is a must with turtles especially with a tank that size. There's no way even with a 20 gallon tank (which is relatively small in the turtle world) you could go without cleaning the tank every day or so without a filter. I had 3 turtles too.. ended up giving one to my daughter because keeping up with the upgrades got to be way too much.

As for cleaning/filling a tank.. nothing beats a python, well unless you make a homemade sort .. but something on that line is fantastic and I feel necessary for turtle tank maintenance. Lugging all those buckets around soon wears thin not to mention the pain in the back

Thank you again. You guys never fail to supply us newbies with advice even though I did read all the information I can get from the stickies and main site. My mom is against having te big rubbermaid/sterilite tubs in the house and both parents say to use the aquarium for home convenience.

I did read that I could walk the turtlets out every week for a few hours in the sun (no blocking and with ground protection) to give them the natural UVB rays that they need. I think I will do that for now to save money.

my uvb was only 6 dollars at petco

Just curious, tini, but what is the name of the UVB bulb you're using?

er . . .it's a repti something it was in an orange box, it is a 50watt, of course i bought a stand thing to go with it.