Photo Gallery :: New Member/ Setup/ Danny

[ilcapo21]

Hey everyone, here are the pics of Lola and the setup this is my first turtle so let me know what you think of my setup,and tips or thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

[Tenodera]

It looks nice, but I don't think a turtle could thrive in there.

Is he able to climb onto his rock?

You also need a UVB light. UVB helps his shell grow. Do you have a water heater? hatchlings like it better at 75 degrees.

and lastly, you probably need to take out all that gravel. The poop will get clogged in it and dirty the water in just a few days and when he grows up he'll eat them and it'll get clogged in his intestines. You can replace them with a few large river rocks .

=D

Kevin

[ilcapo21]

Yes since the pic was taken i have added a UVB light and heater, she can climb out i catch her basking in the light, but then she sees me and slides in the water

[Tenodera]

good job!

[DavidY]

Looks good. He's a cute little guy! As Kevin suggested, the gravel will fill up with waste and pollute the water so you should vacuum it out regularly. Also when the turtle gets bigger you will need to replace it with larger river rocks so he won't be able to eat them.

[Tenodera]

lol your setup looks a bit like the one I had Serra in when I first got her.


Then I upgraded to this...


Then this


then to this..


and finally, the one she's currently living in.



Hope this helps!

[ilcapo21]

thanks you for the input, do you buy river rock at the pet store?
The ones i have now are about the size of her head so i no she cant eat em at this stage. Also she will bask but as soon as i come in the room or move around she jumps in the water and hides is this normal with a new turtle ive had her for about 4 days now. Also she doesnt seem like shes eating much if at all. i think since ive had her shes ate maybe two dried whole shrimp, and one guppie, is this normal or a bad sign.

[ilcapo21]

Yes it does help, i think in about 6 months or so when i save up some more money im gonna buy her a 30 gallon tank. I went to the pet store looking for two african dwarf frogs which should have cost me about 9 dollars, and i left with a $150 dollar turtle setup!

[myrtletheturtle]

i got mine at lowes today!!

[ilcapo21]

ok i think when i do my first water change i will switch the substrate. Do you guys leave your turtle in the tank when u do a water change?\

[myrtletheturtle]

Mine came in a pet carrier when he was purchased i just leave him in there while im cleaning it out or u could get a big rubbermaid or somthing??

[Tenodera]

Whenever I'm cleaning my turtle's tank I take her out and place her in a plastic container with just enough water to cover her body and I throw in some lettuce for her to eat while she waits.

I only do this since she tries to eat me whenever I'm cleaning her tank.

[ilcapo21]

lol ok thanks any ideas about the hiding when i come in the room or the eating?

[myrtletheturtle]

yea myrtle seems to get scared to when the rocks are means moved around it gets loud and startles him

[myrtletheturtle]

My baby eats reptomin for baby sliders he loves them i got them from petssmart green bottle yellow lid!!