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What does everybody think of these pictures? [img].photobucket.com/albums/n122/lotsofpets_2006/MVC-221F.jpg[/img] [/img] [img][img]http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n122/lotsofpets_2006/MVC-228F.jpg[/img] [/img] [img][img]http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n122/lotsofpets_2006/MVC-226F.jpg[/img] [/img]

Your set up looks pretty good. I do have a couple of questions...

How many gallons does that tub hold? I have a couple of tubs like that, but have never thought of using one that size.

Do you have filtration?

What kind of bulb are you using?

I would also warn you that any thing you put in the tank is likely to become food. If you cherish your fish, then remove them. Otherwise, gold fish are pretty fatty and have no nutritional value.

What a cute little turtle!

You mention "lots of pets". Any chance one of them could get the turtle? The turtle looks about the right size for a cat to me!

The bottom picture is so cute! He's so tiny!
Make sure you read up on the site's care page and read the 'stickies' at the top of each topic. It will help you get the best start for your little friend. If you have any questions, we're here to help. You've got a good start, but there are more necessities you'll need to purchase. Missi's question about filtration is right on, you definitely need a filter, turtles get very messy.

That's a really nice setup.

[img][img]http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n122/lotsofpets_2006/MVC-221F.jpg[/img]

I have read most of the information several times on this site. I realize that i need to make improvements to Donatello's habitat, but do not have the money to do it right now.
Yes, I do have three cats, but unless I am feeding him or cleaning (his?) habitat I have a screen that goes over the top of it.[/img]

Great!

Thats a great starter home!

I have some questions. About how fast are these guys supposed to grow? I think that Donatello has grown almost a half of an inch since I bought him in Mid-July. Is this normal, or should I be concerned?

A good rate of growth is considered to be about an inch a year. This measurement will vary based on genetics, environment, and feeding. They may also grow a bit more in the first year.

Overfeeding and high water temps will lead to growing to fast. Remember, pellets should be offered the amount that would fit in the head if it were hollow, and only once a day. The neck area does not count as head. Water temps should be around 78 for a hatchling and 72-75 for older turts.

Missi - I keep my water temp. at 79-80 degrees. I feed Donatello about a half of a pinch of Zoomed hatchling turtle pellets and a half a pinch of fish flake food for the goldfish. They both eat each other's food, but ALL of the food is gone within the minute. He? also likes green leaf lettuce. I keep putting in cut-up carrot bits in, but he does not seem to like them. Any suggesions?

Give him any kind of lettuce, except iceberg. No nutritional value. When my kids were that small I gave them as many pellets as they could eat every day, now I just give 'em about as much as will fit inside their little heads every other day. Romaine and carrots and cuttlebone every day. I love it when thier that young, so cute!

I may be wrong on this, but I read somewhere that turtles can grow up to 3 inches during the first year and then they slow down in growth.

My female grew more than an inch the first year. Because I didn't think to measure them when I first got them, I am not sure how much she actually grew. I know for sure that it was just shy of 2 inches, so I'm guessing that in all reality it was more like two.

Thanks everybody for your comments and answers! Although several people said that my setup looked nice, it looks as though he will need a much larger area soon! Where can you find tubs that hold more than 20 gallons? That tub only holds 41 quarts and the water level is about an inch from the top. (to prevent escape) Also, I was wondering if anyone had a larger filter system that they would sell or give away for a much reduced price. They are so expensive at the pet stores! That little undergravel (even though there is no gravel) system is helpful at trapping some of the waste, but I am sure that it will not work for a much larger volume of water.