Habitat - Indoor :: Just a few questions ( a long one here)

[cam722]

First let me start this posting by saying I'm not trying to argue or irritate anyone, I'm just seeking information. I've been doing a LOT of research and as with most people who impulsively buy an res (or 3 in my case lol) I had no clue what I had gotten myself into until I came upon this forum or should I say my daughter happened upon this forum.

1. I know the 10 gal per inch of shell rule.. but why is that? I mean is it for swimming area or because of "waste" management like with fish?

2. Does anyone use plastic containers as permanent housing or does everyone use glass? (just curious on that one). When you do use a plastic container for whatever purpose, is there any necessary prep work before inserting the turtles?

3. I thought I had read about a product for cleaning off "mineral" deposits from the inside of the tank. My water splashes on the tank sides and its all "cloudy". Can anyone help me with what I can use to clean this off.

I think that's it for now.. Thanks everyone for all your info and input on this forum it's very informative and enlightening to say the least. I had "turtle sat" my son's friends turtles while they were on vacation last summer and fell in love with them. Even though his friend is a bio teacher, he had no clue about the requirements needed for these cuties. So, needless to say like many on here, I'm in the process of upgrading but have to wait to fully upgrade until I move in the next few months. Thanks again.

[jenaero]

I also bought my turts on impulse and learned a lot in the days that followed!

1. The 10 gallon rule is for swimming space, but the more water you have, the cleaner it stays (with good filtration)

2. Lots of people use rubbermaid containers and stock tanks because they're cheaper than large glass aquariums. I stick to glass tanks because I want something that looks nice in my living room. The rubbermaid containers tend to bow out so you'll need to brace them. Someone else will have to step in and tell you how to do that because I've never had to.

3. Try vinegar. Make sure to rinse well. I find that if you keep on top of it, there's really no build up. I just take a dishcloth and wipe the insides of the tank with tank water once a week.

How big are your turts? What's their setup like now? (just cus I'm nosey)

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

the 10 gallons per inch rule is not only for swiming room, but also that if you have multiple turtles, it will give them lost of room so they dont fight over space.

[cam722]

Well as I said they were in impulse buy .. 1 for each grandkids and well I figured it would keep them from getting lonely .. haha yeah right!!

Right now I have all of them in a 20L tank.. very little in the tank so most of the space is swimming room. I have a basking area.. the floating type, both heat light and uvb. Some river rocks for the bottom way too big for them to eat. The filter is a Whisper for 40gal tank.. what am I missing here. Oh yeah, a submersible heater. Most of this I had from the get go.. so now the upgrading is for space!! But they are very happy little babies and were definitely being overfed and spoiled.. haha.

Ok turtles .. I believe I have 1 female (JT (jabroni turtle), named by my Marine son because she does the most silly things, is 3.5", then Spanky/Scooter, depends on which family member you ask its name, is 3.25".. and the baby.. Squirt is 3") So I need some serious upgrading on the tank size.. so for now they may get temp homes in rubbermaid. With 3 of them in the tank it does get rather messy rather quickly. but otherwise they seem rather content : )

[jenaero]

sounds like you've got most of it under control. They're still a bit small yet to sex them. Mine are 4 & 4.5 inches and I'm still not sure what I've got.

[cam722]

well it seems rather obvious to me what sex they are.. their tails are definitely different. Once I get the digi cam up and running I'll post pics. These guys are definitely spoiled... between them and the grankids I'm going to go broke!!! hahaha

[jenaero]

We love pics! Let us know when you get them!

[marisa]

Hi. For the 10 gallon guideline, I'd be generous and think of allowing ten gallons of tank per inch of shell length and not just water.

From what you said, you're looking at over a 100-gallon tank now (their sizes are their shell lengths down the backs not including the shell curve?).
I've used Rubbermaid storage containers and while they're OK for a while, they did not last for me (I had to replace 4 of them over a span of less than a year). They do bow out (and they can be supported), but the big problem is that the weight of the water cracks their bottoms and they will eventually leak.

I'm using stock tanks inside, the bigger one being 110-gallons, and while I initially bought them because they were easy to move and cheaper, I've become a big fan of them. The look is definitely different than that of an aquarium, but I've seen some done up as small ponds, which really looked beautiful and in a way more natural for the turts. It depends on what you want, really.

You'll find that diluted while vinegar makes a good cleaner for objects inside as well (along with a good rinsing).

[cam722]

Yep, I know I'm looking at a HUGE upgrade. Any plastic containers will be just temporary "quarters" or for feeding or taking them outside to bask in real sunshine. I really would prefer glass aquariums as I love watching their antics, but where do you find the stock tanks? I don't think we have any place around here that sells them but I'm going to look into them just in case.

Thanks for the tips about the white vinegar, actually the pet store owner suggested it too. Oh and the cam is working, now I just have to get the little buggers to stay still to get a few shots in

[marisa]

Do you have any Tractor Supply Company stores near you? Other places that sell livestock/farm equipment will have them as well (I don't know what you have in PA).

[cam722]

No we don't have those around here, I checked. I may see if we have some sort of feed store nearby though.. I mean we do have lots of farms in the area.

I've posted some pics on the Photo Gallery forum. Not the greatest the little buggers won't stay still

[flutterby]

Thanks for the tips about the white vinegar, actually the pet store owner suggested it too.

Actually what he said was...

To use vinegar with a straight edge razor blade or wet/dry sandpaper that you would use on cars, because it wouldn't scratch the glass and would pretty much buff it.

[steve]

i used something that had interchangable razor blades and had a handle like a screwdriver, though i am not sure what it's called. we used it scrape excess silicone on the glass, and i imagine it would work with any substance on flat glass.

[marisa]

I think you can get a paint scraper with a handle and interchangeable blades. I've seen some at Walmart.