Equipment Review and Discussion :: New baby RES. Must know what tank equipment is needed!

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

Cute, new baby RES turtles! Just a few problameos... The place we got them was a dollar store (aka Dollar World) but the store had no more turtle food pellets. So, I'm trying to convince the little guys to eat lettuice. But they won't eat it. And I have no tank equipment exept for the tank, water, and rocks... Please help me out.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

You will need a,

-Water Heater

-Filter

-UVA bulb (you can use a normal light bulb)

-UVB bulb (VERY IMPORTANT)

-2 Clamp lamps

-Basking Dock

-Two thermometers

-Water conditioner

You can dip the lettuce in tuna, and see if they will eat it. You can get a can of turtle food at any pet store.

[SpotsMama]

Are you feeding them iceberg or leaf lettuce? Iceberg has almost no nuitritional value. When you feed them lettuce, be sure it's red or green leaf lettuce. Some romaine is also good.

The little hatchling turtles need and crave protein so it's very important that you get them some good pellets right away. The lettuce alone won't be enough. Here's a link on turtle nuitrition:

http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

Be sure and read every bit of it. Good nuitrition is very important to their health.

I gather that you only got your turtles in the past few days. While they are getting used to their new homes, especially when they are young, turtles are very nervous and shy. They frequently won't eat for several days after they move into their new home. During this time you need to give them peace and quiet so they can adjust. Don't pick them up unless you absolutely have to. By the end of a week, though, they need to be eating, so let us know if they are not.

All the things that xsavingsaturdayx mentioned above are required if your turtle is going to survive. While they are little they are rather delicate so be sure you get the necessary equipment right away. Here's some more info on the setup:

http://www.redearslider.com/startup.html

Good luck. Let us know how it's going.

[octpusgirl8]

Another thing, i'm guessing that since you got them at a dollar store they may have came with a woefully inadequate tank or dish of some kind. If so, get them a bigger one ASAP, they will love you for it!

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

Yeah, try telling that to my mom... She thinks that the tiny tank they came in is 'big enough' for now, but I beg to differ with her. I have to keep my mouth shut, now, though. She is, after all, my mom. But I wish I could just knock some common sense into her head!
Anyway, we have a bigger tank to let the turtles swim in a few times a day. And, we got the food pellets today, so we removed all the lettuce today. But, the food pellets are kind of gross looking... But, than again, turtles and humans can sometimes have different tastes... I guess...

[marisa]

What brand of pellets are you feeding your turtle?

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

the Tetra brand from Petsmart; ReptoMini baby.

[octpusgirl8]

You could always buy a big rubbermaid storage bin and fill it up around 1/3 of they way so it won't break. They're pretty cheap and they might not look fancy but the turtles won't care, they just need more space.

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

OK, I printed alot of stuff and gave it to my parents to read. Hopefully that will convince them to get the turtles a 20 gal.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Remember you need more than just a 20 gallon tank. I responded to your other post, about what you needed. Read it again, and go through it with your parents.

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

Yea, I'm gonna try to get a 30, 40, ar even 50 galleon tank. That would last for at least a little while, right?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Right, not only that..but it will save you a ton of money in the long run. Be sure to tell your parents that.

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

yeah, It'll save us like... $40! You can't have a better deal. Unless you save $50 or $60 or...