Habitat - Indoor :: Hatchling water level

[pretzel]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this is the wrong thread.

I got a red ear slider hatchling (under 4 inches) about two weeks ago, and have him on a 20 gallon tank.
I was wondering, since he's so little, what water level would be appropiate? Right now it's about 3 inches (8 cm). Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I'm terrified of him drowning. He does have a basking spot (the zoomed platform) but he HATES it and refuses to bask. He also has some aquatic plants that uses for hiding and will rarely use to grab onto to get some air.

Disclaimer: I am well aware of the "no less than 4-inches" policy on the USA. However, I live in central america and these types of restrictions are either non-existent or are not regulated.

Thanks in advance!

[steve]

If he has no issues swimming, the minimum water height should be his length. That's in case he flips over in the tank. That said... they are excellent swimmers and many have them in deeper levels but though you want a place or two he can rest. So either the main basking area is large and easy for him to rest on or there's another one. They also love to explore, so make sure there are no areas he can get stuck... under caves, behind filters, etc.

Does he have a basking light? Can you post a picture of the setup?

Welcome to the forum!!

[pretzel]

Right now he only has the basking platform which he won't use and another platform in the back which he will sometimes use to get some support when going out for air.
Yep, he does. I also added a UVB bulb, both from Zoo Med (Repti-Basking Spot Lamp 100w and 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent, both over a screen cover). That being said the water temp is around 25.3C-26.2C and the basking spot temp is at 31.3C. I'm not good at Farenheit

I´ve checked and he can´t get stuck near the filter or any other place. Though sometimes he will go under the basking dock and it gets me all paranoid

Here is the setup:

[TurtlesOwner97]

Right now he only has the basking platform which he won't use and another platform in the back which he will sometimes use to get some support when going out for air.
Yep, he does. I also added a UVB bulb, both from Zoo Med (Repti-Basking Spot Lamp 100w and 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent, both over a screen cover). That being said the water temp is around 25.3C-26.2C and the basking spot temp is at 31.3C. I'm not good at Farenheit

I´ve checked and he can´t get stuck near the filter or any other place. Though sometimes he will go under the basking dock and it gets me all paranoid

Here is the setup:

Are those gravels at the bottom of the tank? You might want to remove it before there's a risk of impaction!!

[TurtlesOwner97]

Imo, baby turtles are great swimmers! Try increase the water level and the basking temperature to 34C or 35C, that might encourage him to bask!

[pretzel]

I was actually thinking of changing it to those large and flat glass marbles so there's no chance of him eating the gravel. Would that be safe?


Also, is Tetra ReptiSafe any good?

[TurtlesOwner97]

I was actually thinking of changing it to those large and flat glass marbles so there's no chance of him eating the gravel. Would that be safe?


Also, is Tetra ReptiSafe any good?

If the marbles are larger than his head, that's completely fine


Never heard of it.. is that de-chlorinator or something?

[pretzel]

Yep, water conditioner apparently.
I just changed the gravel and also caught him basking he jumped off as soon as he saw me though :p

[steve]

Try to use carbon filter media instead of water conditioner. I'd avoid glass marbles... they tend to weaken in water and break easier. River rock is a better choice, but it'll trap some solid waste (marbles would too).

[Kansasslider]

You can also use sand. A lot of us use it.

[pretzel]

The lady at the shop told me to avoid sand with turtles, but then again I'm not sure how much she knew considering she had 12 of them in a small plastic tub with a palm tree

[TurtlesOwner97]

The lady at the shop told me to avoid sand with turtles, but then again I'm not sure how much she knew considering she had 12 of them in a small plastic tub with a palm tree

That irony...

Sand is completely safe!