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I got Merle as a gift from my boyfriend. His shell is a little smaller than a half-dollar. He came with a ten gallon tank, 2 bags of aquarium gravel, turtle food and heat light. This doesn't seem like the prettiest or most comfortable home for Merle. He likes to run across the hardwood floor. We need help. The guy at the aquarium store wasn't much help.
Thanks guys and girls. If you wanna see me and Merle just check out www.myspace.com/krystyn82

Just read though the link below real quick and post your questions here.
http://www.redearslider.com/index_habitat.html

Just a hint..don't use the aquarium gravel, they will try to eat it and it can lead to impaction. A lot of people get large river rocks and put just a few in the bottom for their turtle to 'play' with. As far as a 'pretty' turtle habitat...it's mostly for us I believe. Turtles don't care as long as they have water and lots of it! A general rule of thumb is 10 Gallons per inch of shell. READ the basic site:
www.redearslider.com as well as all the stickies (at the top of each topic) on this forum, and then ask any unanswered questions you may have.

Good advice mentioned above.

Aside from the 10 gallons of water per inch rule...the bigger tank you can go now, the better. It will save in costly upgrades later. Males will need approx 90 gallons and females 120 when full grown. You won't be able to tell the gender of your turtle until he reaches 4 inches.

Make sure you get a decent filter, heater, and UVB lighting. The UVB is essential for good health.