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Hi, this is my first post on this forum.

Is there something in particular I need to look for in a RES to make sure he/she is healthy? Do I need to look for any signs in the shell (ie. color, shape, etc.)? At the pet store, I saw all of their RES's in a tank with no water. Is this normal? I know that they are aquatic turtles, I was just wondering. I already have my filters, basking lamp, and rocks for my substrate (big enough the turtle won't swallow). On the UVB bulb, do I need to get the 10.0 or the 5.0? This is for a 55g tank 48x12.

Thanks!

Here are some threads with discussion on the subject:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... thy+turtle
(on this one read the comment in the middle by marisa on signs of a healthy turtle)


http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... ht=healthy
(lots of good hints here)

On RES in a tank with no water - you are correct that this is wrong wrong wrong. Not normal. Why don't you say something to the people at the store about it and refer them to this site?

On the UVB bulb - is your fixture for a tube bulb or a compact?

SpotsMama already left you a lot of great information...the only thing I would add is that if the pet store you are looking at doesn't have their RES in water, I'm not sure I would buy from them. The fact that they don't know how to properly care for their RES scares me into thinking that they may have other issues...dehydration being a big one.

As mentioned, let them know that their care isn't correct, and if they don't do something about it, report them.

I know this is off topic, but oddly enough the Petco by my house keeps their sliders in a rather large tank for being the walmart of petstores.

If you live in San Diego, I can refer you to a good place.

Thanks for those links that helped me. On the UVB bulb its a tube 48" T12. I know the 10.0 is stronger but I want to make sure it's not too much.

On that pet store I mentioned they only have two tuperware like containers with about 1" of water. And all the turtles measure about 5-6" shell length. There were 6 of them in there about a 20-30gal tank.

That's so sad about the turtles in that store. The setup is woefully inadequate and unhealthy. 6" turtles have lived a pretty long life already and it's a real shame to see them reduced to those circumstances where they probably won't survive much longer. So unnecessary.

I rescued one of the turtles from that lfs. I'm pretty sure it's a she. The water temp is at 76 & basking area at 90. As soon as she jumped into the water I noticed shedding form her skin (white stuff). Do I need to lower the water temp more? Or will the shedding go away at this temp. I will try to post pics tomorrow night.

Mizzou, the intense shedding is probably a result of the bad conditions she was in before. With plenty of clean water, good diet, light and correct temperature that should improve with time. The water temp of 76 degrees is ok for a 6" turtle, or you could lower it a few degrees.

i don't understand, how on earth do they expect the turtles to eat if they do not have water? tell them! they should know this stuff!

How dramatic! Your turtle looks like he's flying through the air!

Any chance those rocks under the basking area could slip and hurt him?

Is that a MVB bulb? How's it working out for you?

spotsmama - the bulb is working out great

I am gonna go with a pvc setup instead. I bought more materials for it tonight from home deptot. The one I made last weekend seems to be working out for now but is a bit small. I'll post pics again when it's done.

Nice setup. Your turtle must sure be happy that he's out of that dismal pet store! Those guys should be shot!

This is what it looks like now. I will change it saturday.

What's that black thing you use for the ramp and basking spot called? I need something new for my tank =( The ramp I'm currently using won't last long.