Habitat - Indoor :: Turtles to tank size

[Coco]

I hope I am posting this in the right spot..... I have a 20 gallon tank with two very small hatchlings. Is this size adequate for a total of 10 hatchlings? (someoen told me that it is)
I am looking to add one more for a total of three hatchlings... would that be ok?
I was told that they grow fairly slowly.
I appreciate any input from you experts out there!
Thanks

[shady1616]

The rule 10g per inch. in length from the front to the back of the shell not including the head or tail. for 10 hatchlings you will need a 100g tank already!! a 10g tank is not appropriate for 3 hatchlings, I think you should stay with only 2 turtles cuz it gets really expensive!!

[punkiemichelle]

Yep, Shady's got it right. If you got 10 turtles would be quite a bit of $$$ for a adequite set up!I have four in two diff. set ups and I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars!! If you want three keep in mind you should have 10 g of water for every one inch of your turt. Also, if you overfeed them they will grow super fast. Make sure you read the "stickys" on that.

[jenaero]

Not to mention, if you have more than one, you'll need to be prepared to separate them if one gets sick, or if they start fighting. With 3 res, you'd have to be ready for 3 full setups (lights/heaters/filters) at a moment's notice...scary If I were you, I'd stick with the 2...you just never know....

[Coco]

Ok, let me make sure I am clear... a 20 gallon tank would not be suitable for 3 hatchlings?
I am getting seriously conflicting info.
Thanks everyone!

[jenaero]

The rule of thumb is 10 gallons for each inch of turtle. 3 hatchlings (assuming they're 1 inch long each) would be a minimum of 30 gallons. You could get away with a 20 for a little bit if you needed to, but I think space is the least of your concerns. If you buy a 3rd turtle, you run the risk of them not getting along, or the new one bringing in a disease, or the smallest one being bullied and not being able to get enough to eat.

Best case scenario: new one is healthy, they get along great, you have to upgrade to a larger tank in a month or 2.

Worst case scenario: new res is sick, infects your other 2 with whatever illness he has, they all die -or- new res is fine, but he's a little pig and bullies the other two to the point that he injures them and/or they won't get enough to eat -or- they dont get along AT ALL and you end up with 3 full setups $$$$

If I were you, I'd wait. I also have 2 res and would love to get more but I would house them separately and I just don't have the money or the space right now.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[punkiemichelle]

Coco, the "rule" is for every one inch of turtle you should have 10 gallons of water. If the conflicting info is from your local pet store, youre not alone. When I got my guys they suggested a 2 1/2 gallon tank with a flourecent light (not a UVB) they did not tell me I need a UVB or basking light. They recommended a wisper 10 filter!! All incorrect info. You say you have a 20 gallon tank, huh? That will be ok for a little while, but you will need to upgrade soon. These guys grow and by the time they are fully grown they are huge!! Females up to 12 inches and males around 9 inches!! And like Jenaero said keep the seperation thing in mind. If one gets agressive or sick you will have to seperate and that means you will need two whole set ups! It can get very costly, I learned that the hard way!!!!

[Coco]

Thanks for your replies. I do not have the money nor space for more set ups. I will leave well enough alone!