Other Turtle Discussion :: Introducing a buddy?

[Hammy]

Since I have moved Spanky to a new 50 gallon tank (which I know is just about suitable for him - he's 5") and have a sufficent heater, hopefully a sufficient filter (Fluval 3plus) a new turtle Dock (large) ordered and the proper over head lights for UVA/ UVB etc... everyone else in the house thinks he is lonely in the big tank and needs a friend.

I know I shouldn't listen to their inexperience, so I thought I would come on here to check with all you professionals first (I think thats my first group compliment!).

This is my prediciment, Spanky is almost 8 and has always lived alone. Regardless of his new bigger home, would I have any territorial trouble from him if I introduced another infant into the tank? Basically... would he try to eat a baby RES?

If he wouldn't eat the baby turt - would it matter if his new buddy wasn't a RES, but maybe a yellow belly? Or another varient? The last thing I want is a young one to be eaten or mistreated by Spanky... And would the tank even be big enough to introduce another turt?

So what do you all think?

[marisa]

I think Spanky is happy as he is and probably thrilled to have a bigger home. Why would he want to share it with another turtle? Seriously, RES are basically solitary animals and get together to mate. If you got another turtle, that tank would soon be way too small and the filter will be less effective than it probably will be now (sorry, the 3+ isn't the best and is rated for less than the size tank you have; eventually you're going to want one rated for 3X the size of the tank).

RES are territorial and can get aggressive if their confined to too small a tank. I'd stick with Spanky and give him the best care you can. He won't miss not having a "buddy," which to him, might be considered an intruder.

[Hammy]

and the filter will be less effective than it probably will be now (sorry, the 3+ isn't the best and is rated for less than the size tank you have; eventually you're going to want one rated for 3X the size of the tank).

So, with a 50 gallon tank, I would need a filter for a 150 gallon tank? Something like this:

http://www.petsolutions.com/Default.aspx?ItemID=20622228

[marisa]

You've got great taste in filters! That's a filter that I hope to get one day. Eheims are the Cadillacs of filters (that model is one in particular, I've been told). You could use that one as you upgrade your tank. Eheims are expensive, though, but if money's no object...Some people have said, though, that for less money the Filstar XP3 does about as good a job. I have one, have used it in a 50-gallon and now it's in a 110-gallon stock with about 75-gallons of water in it. Other popular (and good) brands are Magnums and Fluvals (and a number of people have commented favorably on the Jebo/Odyssea). If you do searches on these brands, you can compare them. There's also an article comparing some of them (in particular Fluvals, Filstars and Magnums) at http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Community/review.htm#F (scroll down for filter info). If you look in the forum for On-line Links and Deals, there's information on where sales on some of the products can be found. I recommend looking at www.bigalsonline.com They're about the best place to get filters, and it's even good to look at their product line and compare with other places.

When you upgrade, you want to get a canister filter, not an internal/submersible filter. A good canister filter will help maintain water quality and make life easier for you.

[pretty.rock.machine]

Right now I'm using a Whisper. And every place I've gone to around here has Whispers. Do PetSmarts carry the nice big ones?

Oh, and how big of a tank is too big for a baby? I know its about 10 gallons for every inch. But I was wonder about upgrading so I don't have to go through and just buy a 20, 30, 50, etc every time.

[cam722]

I'd buy as big as you can afford. If you're afraid of the depth... just fill it up slowly until it can handle it, also you can put in bigger rocks and plants to give him/her a place to rest.

[pretty.rock.machine]

Thanks. I'm poor right now, so when he starts to show more signs of growing I'll upgrade. I've noticed him shedding skin so I'm very excited to watch him grow. My Mom and I think his tail is growing too, it's got a little nub on it.