Hello everyone!
I wanted to post on an active forum about my family's RES we were given/rescued.
My parents have a pool and in March my mother found one in her pool about the size of a dime/quarter. She took care of it and it did very well. In April she decided to gift it to my son (age 5). She took care of everything with a small tank setup (starter kit) etc.
Since then he/she grew and grew to where there was not enough room to get around. So we decided to make a good decision and found a really good deal on a new tank/stand that is 125 Gallon.
We read and researched a lot over those months and in June I started setting up the tank. I initially wanted to get a canister style filter but we ended up with a H.O.B - (Aqua Clear 110).
I learned and researched about media for the filter.. Over time I have made some adjustments from the stock media that came with it.
Surprisingly the tank has been pretty self sufficient with standard up-keep. I chose to get some poly fil and sea chem media after a few cycles. Later I stopped using carbon just to make sure we had a good system working.
After July I noticed the smell increasing though we are in Florida I somewhat expected it to some degree. Now I have the media in this order:
bottom we have the sponge filter ( I did cut it in Half).
a double layer of poly.
then Sea Chem Matrix (bagged)
single layer of poly fil.
the stock bagged media Bio Max.
and now I have added the Carbon (bagged).
This seems to be working fine with a few exceptions. I like to do a 20 gallon refresh every month as we only have the tank filled to about 90 gallons.
Every week I check the filter for debri build up or blockage as if it gets clogged it will raise the media from pressure. I rinse the media every 2 weeks.
Now that I am using carbon I check it often and replace as needed (monthly) - haven't had to lately as I just added it recently.
My question is more so about light build up in the tank. I don't like to stress the turtle (ie.. remove him to feed etc..) we stay on top of his environment and its in our eat in dinning room near the kitched - back wall, so we can see him/her..
the filter does it's job with maintenance but I am thinking about adding a power head to move the water around a bit for better filtration. Is this a good idea? If so which one should I get?
I now believe our RES is a female ( flat bottom, shorter claws). She has grown significantly since June to now September. If I had to guess about 3.5 inches on the shell.
We feed her about 15/20 pellets in the morning. There is a snack (dried shrimp or meal worms) mid day.. and some more pellets in the evening.. She has really increased her appetite. I like to leave a piece of romaine in the tank here and there..
In a few more months I am thinking about raising the water up and building a new basking area (egg crate style above the tank, enclosed etc) and raising my chained lights. thoughts on this?
I am attaching a few photos.. The HOB is not in the position from the picture as I moved it down to the right side of the tank.
She loves when my two boys (age 2 and 5) come to the tank.. She swims right up to them with no fear, follow their fingers down the side etc.. She is always hesitant of me or other adults.
