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I bought this today at the pet store and placed it in my aquarium but I don't feel the water getting warm. The instructions say that it takes up to 24 hours for it to get to its temperture. Also wondering if I made the right choice in buying this heater or should I get a different one.

How many watts is it and how many gallons is your tank?

My tank is 30 gallons and the wattage of the heater is 100. Here's a link to the heater http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=908 .

Do you have a thermometer? The water can feel "cool" because our body temp is 98 and turtle temp is 76

Thats what I'm thinking.

I bought the same thing. I know what youre talking about, but if you ever jumped into 75-78 deg. water, its cold.

My concern is, being new to turtle-owning (5"-6" RES who was way to small to be legal at first, so Im doing something right), I'm getting mixed information. I see several sites, and experts say 75 deg. water. Then I hear 78-80 but if they are young, it should be 82-85 deg. The preset Tetra Filter isnt near that.

Also, Ive been into Import Tuning for sometime, and I know that, what the auto store sells usually is crap. So I'm thinking what the PetSmart sells isnt all its cracked up to be.

I live in South Florida, where its actually a bit chilly sometimes during the winter. I have my cage by the window, but my hurricane shudders are the awning type, and dont allow direct sunlight in.

Can anyone just answer me these questions?

1.) Tetra Equipment, crap??

2.) Cloudy tank after new Tetra filter and complete water change and gravel clean...normal due to beginning a new tank cycle?

3.) Can you really cycle your tank with a crappy Tetra Filter system?

4.) last, the tank upgrade will be soon, but 10 Gallon tank for 4" Wide, 5"-6" long turtle will suffice for now? I know I need a 20-30 Gallon.

1. Its all in the persons perspective and experience with the tetra equipment.

2. You shouldn't have gravel in our tank, you need something larger than your turtles head. And it could be beneficial bacteria rebuilding up that makes the water cloudy therefore not being a problem with the tetra filter..

3. I never cycled my turtles tank.

4. You need 10 gallons per inch of turtle which means a bare MINIMUM of 50-60 gallons, it would be better for you to go out and buy an inexpensive rubbermaid container for your turtle until you can afford to upgrade.

If this little guy needs 60 gal already, Im worried. I plan on upgrading, and I know that eventually he may even need a 120, but this is happening fast. Im worried that I wont be able to upgrade in time. Also, with the added tank, or rubbermaid, comes added filtering, heating, and cleaning. Cleaning I can handle, but the filtration systems are fairly expensive as well.

Im not going to give up, or sacrifice his comfort for money, but will it be allright if I move to a 30gal for now? I can use the filter and heater as they are rated up to 30 gal. The FL locale helps alot. Room temp and outside temp is usually 70-75, so the heater does its job from what my thermometer shows. Seems to work fast too.

I guess its obvious that any increase in tank size is a must. Will a 30gal hold me for a month. I tend to maintain a clean, clear tank. He eats like its going out of style, swims and plays happily, and is even using the turtle dock. He has gotten this big without a UVB light thanks to sunny FL. I picked one up only last night as it concerns me that he is getting to big for just the indirect sunlight.

The ESU Slimline, (which had a UVB no-no plastic cover I removed.) was the best way I could afford to take care of his needs now. Of course I want and will eventually get the best for him, but I can only do what I am able.

He started off as a 2" (Way below legal) Little guy in a plastic bowl with the fake palm tree. He was my girlfriends daughter's pet, whom had to bring it home from her dads. Me being the animal lover that I am, was not happy with the lack of care (thats why 9yr olds shouldnt own turtles unless you want to help dad) So like I said, I must be doing something right, but will that 30gal cost cutter work for a month or two?

Take everything here with a grain of salt. I know, I am new, but I've read these forums for quite awihle. Even though your current set up may be too small in the majority of the forums opinion, consider the fact that your turtle could be dead, or stuck in one of those China Town shops. You've already given your turtle a clean place to live, and a caring environment, something that 99% of RES' hatched don't get. With this controversal statement, I agree with the standard 10 gallons/ 1 inch rule, however, you are by far not some kind of slave driver for not abiding by it if you look at the larger picture.

Btw, I'm using a Tetrafauna Waterfall Pump which my RES is happy with. I have a 60 gallon Terrarium which has 10-12 gallons in it. My RES and the last of his feederfish "Survivor" have lived in for the past 2 months. My RES is probably the size of a silver dollar. The whole setup cost probably 150 bucks, + the decoritive tv stand we bought at Wal-Mart for 99 bucks. Faults of the stand are its weight restrictions, I believe it's 300lbs or so. But it looks very good with the terrarium on top, not an eyesore at all.

What you may consider doing is getting one of those 80-100 gallon Rubbermaid Stock Tubs, as others have said. I'm thinking of placing one in my back yard and lettings Sputz use it during the day or something so he can get exersize and some natural light (cause I know my tank isn't deep enough it's more like a lap pool.

Anyway, I hope this helped!

WeirdMeta wrote:I bought this today at the pet store and placed it in my aquarium but I don't feel the water getting warm. The instructions say that it takes up to 24 hours for it to get to its temperture. Also wondering if I made the right choice in buying this heater or should I get a different one.

It'll be OK for now, (30 gallons) but when you upgrade, you'll need a bigger heater. Get something that you can adjust, I don't trust the ones that say "75F-78F. Too many variables to consider.....get one that you can adjust yourself.

spin1078 wrote:I bought the same thing. I know what youre talking about, but if you ever jumped into 75-78 deg. water, its cold.

My concern is, being new to turtle-owning (5"-6" RES who was way to small to be legal at first, so Im doing something right), I'm getting mixed information. I see several sites, and experts say 75 deg. water. Then I hear 78-80 but if they are young, it should be 82-85 deg. The preset Tetra Filter isnt near that.

Also, Ive been into Import Tuning for sometime, and I know that, what the auto store sells usually is crap. So I'm thinking what the PetSmart sells isnt all its cracked up to be.

I live in South Florida, where its actually a bit chilly sometimes during the winter. I have my cage by the window, but my hurricane shudders are the awning type, and dont allow direct sunlight in.

Can anyone just answer me these questions?

1.) Tetra Equipment, crap??

2.) Cloudy tank after new Tetra filter and complete water change and gravel clean...normal due to beginning a new tank cycle?

3.) Can you really cycle your tank with a crappy Tetra Filter system?

4.) last, the tank upgrade will be soon, but 10 Gallon tank for 4" Wide, 5"-6" long turtle will suffice for now? I know I need a 20-30 Gallon.

Tetra makes some outstanding equipment! Unfortunately, we keep turtles, they design their equipment primarily for fish! You just have to do your homework, and ask about products here on this forum...

Tank cycling can take up to 6 weeks (with new media) You can help it by getting some Biozyme...most pet stores have it.....

Yes. See above. The big question is can your filter handle a turts "output"?

NO! Ten gallons for each SCL (strait carapace length). A 6" turt needs at least a 60 gal tank. PLUS a bigger filter, PLUS a bigger heater....

Go big, young man, Go big!!!!

VelvetAlley wrote:Take everything here with a grain of salt. I know, I am new, but I've read these forums for quite awihle. Even though your current set up may be too small in the majority of the forums opinion, consider the fact that your turtle could be dead, or stuck in one of those China Town shops. You've already given your turtle a clean place to live, and a caring environment, something that 99% of RES' hatched don't get. With this controversal statement, I agree with the standard 10 gallons/ 1 inch rule, however, you are by far not some kind of slave driver for not abiding by it if you look at the larger picture.

Btw, I'm using a Tetrafauna Waterfall Pump which my RES is happy with. I have a 60 gallon Terrarium which has 10-12 gallons in it. My RES and the last of his feederfish "Survivor" have lived in for the past 2 months. My RES is probably the size of a silver dollar. The whole setup cost probably 150 bucks, + the decoritive tv stand we bought at Wal-Mart for 99 bucks. Faults of the stand are its weight restrictions, I believe it's 300lbs or so. But it looks very good with the terrarium on top, not an eyesore at all.

What you may consider doing is getting one of those 80-100 gallon Rubbermaid Stock Tubs, as others have said. I'm thinking of placing one in my back yard and lettings Sputz use it during the day or something so he can get exersize and some natural light (cause I know my tank isn't deep enough it's more like a lap pool.

Anyway, I hope this helped!

OH, YOU'VE HELPED ALRIGHT.....

(Rant begins here) Someone once said: "Beware of those who cast dispersions on others, then call their statements controversial, for they are true idiots, only wishing to have idiots follow them."
Aw heck, nobody said that. it was only me.......
Take everything you read here with a grain of salt? That's a bold statement, pal. Many of us here, including me, are struggling to figure out a way to make and keep our turtles happy. Now I cannot speak for everyone on this forum, but frankly I'm insulted by that statement, and wish for you to apologize not only to me, but to all who are trying to seek out answers to the very perplexing and unusual pets we keep so close to our hearts.....
You state that you have read this forum for "quite a while". I'm guessing that during that time you were also keeping Sputz? Now let me get my brain around this:
You state that you "saved him from the horrors of chinatown" only to put him in a 60 gal. tank with "10-13 gals." of water??? How noble of you. My hero....Does Sputz even know how to swim???? It seems Survivor is doin OK.....I wonder why...maybe because Sputz cant run fast enough.
How about this: Back up your statements with a pic of your setup (99 dollar Wal-mart stand and all) and let those who are active on this forum take it "with a grain of salt".

One more thing...kindly remove that stupid tag about the bathtubs from the bottom of your posts....I know you did not get that from this forum.

GG, I agree with you 100%.

Thanks flutterby...I'm gettin too old for this. Plus it's way past my bedtime.....

Look Goose, I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm here to let this fella know that he's not a horrible person because his tank may not fit the requirements of what the rule of thumb is. Alot of the advise you guys give come off as being cruel and inhumane because somebody doesn't have the ability to get a tank that can hold 100 gallons.

This guy already rescued his turtle from being stuck in a 6 inch by 3 inch container, and when seeking advice is given some pretty eye openingn news. He should take some comfort in knowing that he's already done miracles for this RES, that may not have been swimming at all.

Is his tank setup satisfactory? Yes. With the notion that getting something bigger should be on his agenda in the future. I did sugest he follow the 100 gallon rubbermaid idea, though a world with a plastic backdrop as your horizon wouldn't be the home I would enjoy.

If you search through these forums of people's setups, most of replies to them look like this.

1. Your Turtle is so cute.

2. Fix this

3. Fix this

4. Fix this

"Many of us here, including me, are struggling to figure out a way to make and keep our turtles happy."

And wouldn't you agree that many people here have restrictions on how they can recreate this habitat on a fixed budget? So if my desire to care for an RES is there, however my budget only allows for setup X which isn't quite what the standard is, am I better off to let a RES have the bleek possibility of a better care taker or the more conceivable outcome of no care taker at all? The only way to make a turtle 100% happy is to recreate its natural habitat without it having the struggles of that habitat (everything provided with ease). I would also include that the turtle should not realize he/she is in captivity in the first place. That is my extreme ideal environment for a turtle. If that cannot be provided, compromises are drawn one after the other till you make a judgement call "is my turtle happy this way?"

Btw, I came by to post pictures of my slave drivers set up. Pull that ore tote that bardge!

Terrarium with the Wal-Mart stand I mentioned. Bottom right is light timer for one of his lights. Need to buy another for the new one. Also you can see Sputz up getting his sunbath, small blurry fella.


This is the basking area, which is the little ramp to the pump. Sputz can pull himself up onto that large rock area really well, quite the impressive turtle. And you'll recognize the heater on the right the one we've been talking about.


This is the view you get when sitting on the floor next to him. Pulled back a bit show the length of the terrarium. As I said before it's like a long lap pool.


And this is Sputnik. My RES since April.



A few more notes to my Goose;


"It seems Survivor is doin OK.....I wonder why...maybe because Sputz cant run fast enough." (statement attempting to make me look bad, nice try)

Reguarding "Survivor" the last of my feeder fish, I found out because of these forums that it's ordinary for your turtle to leave one or two surviving feeder fish. Once upon a time there were three. Linky.



And to show that I am not a know-it-all, I learned after reviewing setups that two bulbs are needed, and I got a UVB bulb today from my local store. So it should be noted thata "basking spot lamp" is not significant enough a light source basking purposes.

One last thing Sir Goose. If you offered your arguement with less emotion and more reason I would hear you out better. Also shame on you for attacking my character to discredit my point. My credibility is not what's in question, what's in question is the tank and wether or not its size is satisfactory until a better quality tank can be procured.

And I'm not apologizing because of my opinions. Remember opinions are just that so don't get so upset. As I stated already, the overall feeling on here is "Nice tank, it's too small" to which I placed an outragous remark reflecting that to stir emotion. Instead of getting upset, figure out why I expressed that, how did I come to that conclusion?