Habitat - Indoor :: Cheap turtle habitat

[Samkit]

Hey guys!
I am from India and bought two red eared sliders about a month and half back. Out of which, one died coz of ill health . After bit of adjustments I came up to with this setup for my sole turtle.
Here are the details:-
Age-2.5 months
Size-carapace length-2inches
Tank- rectangular 50ltr transparent(19inchesx14x10)
Basking Time-- 9am-11am-direct and unfiltered sunlight(everyday)
3pm-7pm-normal 60watt household bulb
feeding-- turtle pellets- twice-a-day- 10 pellets
grapes- 2-3 times a week(2-3 pinches)
cuttle fish bone-head size piece-once in a week
sleeping-sometimes in tank and sometimes I keep him outside
I change the water every two days and also add dechlorinator.
Submersible Filter is hardly used.

Guys please let me know if the whole setup is fine to go with?
Also if i have missed any details then do let me know.
Thanks!
P.S.- Attached pics

[steve]

Welcome to the forum! How often are you doing the water changes? It's a very nice setup, and I think he enjoying his home.

[Samkit]

As I mentioned, I change it every 2days. But according to the given details, is there something I need to alter or add?

[steve]

Not much, maybe an additional basking/resting area?

How big are the pellets? Is it 10 total or 10 twice a day?

I'd skip the grapes.

What's his setup out side the tank like?

Instead of a dechlorinator, can you run it through a filter with carbon media?

The setup is OK now, but will be much challenging as the turtle grows.

[Samkit]

10 total in a day!
Yeah it is going to be challenging but ill try to upgrade in a year!
Also he is just of 2 months and has started shedding his skin. Even the growth margins are getting faint. I guess he is going to shed his scutes too!
Thnx for the help!

[Samkit]

N yeah except grapes and pellets, he does not eat any other food!

[steve]

Shedding skin is normal, especially in warmer temperatures. I'd still skip grapes and keep trying with his veggies.

[Samkit]

Okay! Just to know, why do u suggest to skip the grapes?

[steve]

It's just a bit sugary. I'd limit fruits to once a week or as a rare treat.

[Samkit]

Okay, got it!
Thank you!
One more question! Is 2 hours of unfiltered sunlight everyday okay for vitamin d3 processing? Coz I can't afford uvb bulb n also is not available here. He basks continuously for that 2 hours iff undisturbed!

[xcristina]

Well, two hours is definitely more than my girl usually basks under artificial UVB, so my guess is it's ok. Best UVB bulb in the world!

[Mr.Shenanigans]

If you are using a reputable pellet like Reptomin then not having the UVB isn't an issue. The pellet packs enough vitamin D. I have only had my RES of seven years under a UVA basking lamp and she is in optimal health. I'd also suggest fruit once a week tops. Right now the pellets are just what your lil guy needs. Don't be to generous with the pellets either as to avoid excess protein intake and possible pyramid effect.

[steve]

One should not just resort to a pellet for a supply of D3. A balanced diet will have other sources besides what a good pellet offers.

[Samkit]

Well, two hours is definitely more than my girl usually basks under artificial UVB, so my guess is it's ok. Best UVB bulb in the world!

Thank you! I wonder if they can get uvb from Sun while floating on water! Coz he is very skittish!

[Samkit]

If you are using a reputable pellet like Reptomin then not having the UVB isn't an issue. The pellet packs enough vitamin D. I have only had my RES of seven years under a UVA basking lamp and she is in optimal health. I'd also suggest fruit once a week tops. Right now the pellets are just what your lil guy needs. Don't be to generous with the pellets either as to avoid excess protein intake and possible pyramid effect.

Hi! Just an opinion-if you could just take your turtle out in sunlight twice a week for couple of hours, will b quite good! It will also be a change for it!