Photo Gallery :: Spanky's new tank - another one!

[Hammy]

Pet stores here are a nightmare! They have everything you would ever want or need for a fish - but the little things you need for a turt aren't available ANYWHERE! I am even having trouble sourcing a Repti-Sun flouresant tube for the tank... and don't know if it would travel well if I bought from the internet!

Hopefully though, as turts are becoming more popular here the pet stores will increase the range for us and we won't have to worry... as much!

Anyway - here is a little pic of the little one...

[Hammy]

It must cost quite a bit for shipping. And some places won't ship abroad.

Hammy, have you thought about what kind of canister you might get?

Marisa... shipping is a little funny (though not in a good way) as sometimes it costs as much as the item I am buying... though there isn't much I can do about that as at the end of the day, the things I have ordered are needed and its not fair to let the turts go without if I can do anything about it.

There has been a couple of places in England who are selling things like turtle docks and lamps etc... but even if I can find one to ship to Northern Ireland it is STILL sometimes cheaper to order from USA!

When I visit local pet shops (especially today) I try to pass on things I have learnt about the turts from the forum, but the people there don't seem bothered to listen, or it simply goes in one ear and straight out the other... Perhaps I should write to a local newspaper with a little article about the whole concept of owning and looking after an aquatic turt!

*rant over - if anyone wants to donate to the Turts in Northern Ireland fund then PM me* hahaha!! (joking)

[Hammy]

btw - I still haven't decided upon a filter yet Marisa - though I am saving for one. I was thinking about getting one rated for about 200 or 250 gallons (if possible) and that way I don't have to upgrade it when I get a bigger tank. Once I have some money saved up I will check the forums for ones people have reviewed or talked about before starting a new thread And then hopefully once I have decided upon it I will try to write a review of it (based on me being an amateur with filters) for everyone elses humour and enjoyment...lol

[steve]

You're not keeping those RES together are you?

[Hammy]

You're not keeping those RES together are you?

Erm... I am... but waiting for a response from you before I decide otherwise...

[steve]

Mainly, the size difference makes me uncomfortable. There are the usual concerns about quarantining a new turtle, over powering filters for hatchlings but the little guy could easily get crushed or bitten. I would personally keep them apart… what are their sizes? Plus younger turts can be in water around 78 Fahrenheit, with adults in 75 F.

[Hammy]

I was a little worried about the size difference too, Spanky is 5inch and the new turt is only 1inch, so there is a big difference, as you can see from the pics I have posted.

With this in mind I watched them for hours yesterday... (which was kinda fun anyway!)

At the start they didn't bother with each other, then it seemed like Spanky was sniffing the new turt, but thats all. They continued to swim about on their own.

Something very surprising happened shortly after. The little turt (we haven't really decided on a name yet) was trying to get onto the dock, and was having a little trouble... and Spanky swam up behind it and gently pushed it with his nose until it had all four feet on the dock. It then clambered on up on it, with Spanky climbing up behind and resting his head beside the tiny turt!

*I was shocked!*

Since then I have seen the little one ride on Spanky's back - this is no lie, if only I had my camera ready! And they seem to be getting on fine with each other.

With the current filter, the little turt has adapted to it ok as it uses the flow of the filter to float, and seems to enjoy swimming against it then letting it take it back along the top of the tank towards the dock. I have kept the water temp the same, at the minute it would be approx 74F so if thats wrong then I will change it to suit or a happy medium for both turts.

[Hammy]

I appreciate your concern Steve, and when I am working my dad would usually sit and watch the turts (he can't work) and we have already agreed that we should spend more time in the same room watching them as a precaution.

If things change and it looks like the turts aren't happy or Spanky is being aggressive towards the little one then I would immediately remove him from the tank (and break the bank to give him his own setup) though fingers crossed that this isn't the case and they will get along fine!

[steve]

My points are that there can be more serious accidents with different size turts and that all animals may act unpredictably. In the past few months, I've probably came across a dozen 'friendly dog maims turtle' stories.

I'm not saying it can't be successfully done, its just something I wouldn't risk. Exposing the 2 to each other is good, especially before they are permanently placed together.

[steve]

By the way, is the little guy named? I really like that picture, it looks like he's trying to concentrate on his begging stare.

[Hammy]

My gf is picking the name, but nothing has been decided upon yet.

I have to say, he is the most confident turt I have ever met! He isn't afraid of anyone, and when you hold him he wont shy away from getting his head stroked!

He's a little shy with feeding at the minute, which is my only other concern apart from the ones already mentioned in this thread... so I will keep posted as to how he gets on.

*I am off work all this week so I have alot of free time to spend watching both of them, so thats not a bad thing.

Thanks again for your messages Steve (and everyone else )

[marisa]

I recently read an article that said that larger turts may try to use smaller ones as rafts and possibly could drown them. I'd just be a little careful...

[Hammy]

I have told everyone to keep an eye out for the little one more and it seems that s/he has taken to riding on Spanky's back and he doesn't seem to bother that much.

Hopefully things will continue in that vein, though I know its early days!

[Hammy]

A new LARGE turtle dock arrived today - much better, now Spanky can climb completely out of the water and bask.. I have caught him stretching his back legs out and holding them in the air... I think he likes it!

I will try to get some photos later!