Habitat - Indoor :: How high the water level?

[new turtle-lover]

Hiya, i have a res, and im wondering how high the water lvl should be? He is about an inc and he has a 12x13x19cm tank, i'm going to get a ten-gallon tank soon with a basking spot n all that stuff. He is about 1 inch tall, only measuring his shell.

His current water level is about 1inch 1/2.

[jenaero]

Fill the water up as much as possible without him being able to escape. RES are great swimmers and would appreciate as much water as they can get.

If you're spending the $ for a new tank anyway, may I suggest at 20 gallon or larger. He's really already too big for a 10 gallon. If you get a 40 gallon it should last you a couple of years.

[steve]

...and as minimum always make sure the water depth is higher than the length of his shell.

[new turtle-lover]

I meant he was one inch in width.

[jenaero]

either way, get the largest tank you can afford, and fill it up as much as possible without him being able to climb out.

[bradhart]

if you buy a 20 gal you'll be upgrading in about a year or so... go as big as you can, it'll last you a while

[lydia_lady_fla]

give him away out to dry and bask and he will love deeper waters so I vote the bigger you can afford the better.

[marisa]

If you're nervous about the water level being deep, get a plastic plant from the aquarium section of a petstore and let it float in the tank--your turtle will be able to rest on it if he tires and will also probably like to hide in the leaves.

[TexasJagsFan]

Or you could get a corkboard that floats.

[tutlehaven]

I have been in this turtle biz with my son and he decided to buy a bigger tank, so I let him use his own money and he bought a 55 gal. tank for $98. His RES's are 4 1/2 and 4 inches. The turts love thier home!!! it is as full of water as the floating dock will let us fill it. will send a pic later. [/url]

[tutlehaven]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/RE ... 490634.jpg

[marisa]

It's a pretty set-up, but since the tank is 55-gallons, and the turts are 4 and 4+ inches (shell lengths not including the curve?), I'd try to maximize swimming space as much as possible (ideally they should be in more like a 90-gallon tank now if they're the size you say). To give them more room, I'd get rid of the dirt area and have a basking area they could swim under. As pretty as it is, the castle looks like it's taking up a lot of room as well; if it is, I'd take it out. Taking out the gravel would be good as well--they won't be tempted to eat it and it will make cleaning the tank easier.