Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:46 pm Re: Never do water changes?
I recommend getting a "gravel vac" and using that to suck up the turtle poo and food particles. This way, you will do a minimal water change, without changing too much water. For turtles, which are river dwelling (as well as lakes and ponds), the water would be naturally circulated and changed in the wild, but in captivity, the dirt, and pH from the turtle pee will just accumulate.
For feeding, make sure the amount is equivalent to the inside of your turtles' heads. If you are giving lettuce, then give the lettuce only, one piece per turtle, which should be no more that a couple of inches big if they are over the four inch shell mark. I have found that even if my 8 1/2 inch turtle gets more than a three inch piece of lettuce, especially with a protein, she'll throw it up. They stomachs are very small.
Spike - Egyptian mau mix, 8 years old
Phryne - Japanese bobtail, 9 months old
Hurricane - RES, 8 yo, 6 1/2 in. long
Typhoon - RES/Map hybrid, 8 yo, 7 in. long
Sadie - RES, 20 yo, 10 in. long
Sophie - Colombian red tail boa, 5 yo, 5 ft. long