Other Turtle Discussion :: Question about feeding in a seperate container.

[Brianthedog18]

Just a few quick questions because I want to try it to keep my main tank clean.
1) How big does the container have to be, does it have to be large or just enough room for him to be able to move a little and still eat?
2) Do you do it EVERY day or just once in a while?
3) Do you do it with the pellets too or just messier foods like lettuce?

[cam722]

1. It has to be big enough for your turtle to move comfortably and to be able to hold enough water to cover your turtle's shell. I found that if The water was deep enough so that they could see the food from under water, that worked best.
2. If you feed pellets every day, then use it every day. If you feed them pellets every other day, then use it every other day
3. As the greens are usually left floating around so they can graze on them, it would be rather difficult to feed them out of the tank.. maybe others do feed them the greens there. Which is why I've not bothered feeding them separately.. as heck the greens make more of a mess than feeding them pellets.

I can get them to eat pellets out of the tank, but not greens, no matter how long they stay in the container.. so I gave up

[steve]

I believe it was marisa that suggested to use a lighter colored container to increase the contrast of the food against the surroundings and therefore make the food more visible.

[Brianthedog18]

Yeah, because that is the main reason I want to start, the greens make a huge mess, but if he won't eat them seperately, I might just start scooping out the lettuce every day.
Thanks guys

[marisa]

Greens are one food I try to have in the tank for my turts to nibble on. I don't know about your turtle, but mine can tank their sweet time eating them depending on their mood.

How much greenery are you putting in the tank? If there's a lot floating around/left over don't put as much in. And you should be scooping out leftovers out every day regardless--stuff like lettuce will fall apart if it's left in too long and your turtle won't eat it. I'd get it out of the tank if it's been in for a few hours and he hasn't touched it--you can always put a fresh piece in again.

I only use a separate feeding container if I'm feeding something messy that will break apart on contact with the water, so I don't use it every day.