Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Hello from Tampa, Florida

[Tracey]

Just introducing myself! I just received two red ear sliders as a gift - I've always loved turtles (have my house decorated in them), but have never owned any! I'm so excited! I love them so much already!

[jenaero]

Welcome Make sure to read the care info while you're here.

[sonyj]

Welcome to the forum.

[TinySlider2]

Welcome... We love to see pictures!

[buddys_my_turtle]

Welcome to this wonderful SITE!

[marisa]

Hi and Welcome. What does a house decorated in turtles look like?

[Tracey]

Well... my door stops are turtles, I have ceramic turtles peaking out from under chairs... turtle picture frames, etc. I even have a couple of turtle tattoos!

But... I don't think Little Turtle is going to make it He is not responding to anything... I called the petstore last night and they said it sounds like my tank isn't warm enough for him... so I'm going to try to remedy that tomorrow, but am afraid it is too late. I know this sounds bad, but how do you know if he is dead? Seriously, he is not responding! But the pet store guy said that he could be going into hibernation b/c of the environment... I don't want to lose him!!!

[sonyj]

Water that is too cold will cause their metabolism to slow down also it can lead to a respiratory infection. What is the current temp of the water and what is the basking area temp?

[marisa]

What exactly does he look like, and how cold is the water he's in? He never had any other symptoms before? Was he eating before? If you very gently pull on a limb, does he respond at all?

Can you take him out and put him under a lamp for a bit with a temp in the low 80's (don't make it really warm)? Get a submersible water heater. Set it at 78F. He may appear to be dead, but the heart could still be beating.

[Tracey]

He didn't make it... I only had him for a week I have a heat lamp on the tank and my other turtle, Tony ("Mad" Anthony Wayne) is just fine... very active! Swims around, eats, etc... but he is a little bigger than Little Turtle was. I'm going tomorrow to get another heatsource for the tank and I am going to build the tank up more so that Tony can make sure he can get closer to the eat if necessary. I just feel awful that this has happened I realize he could have been sick even when I got him (since he came from a pet store), but that just doesn't make you feel any better ...

The question is, do I try to get Tony another friend? Or should he just be an only child? I was reading that turtles like to be solo... but he seemed to enjoy Little Turtle's company. Any advice?

[sonyj]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Remember that when buying another turtle it would need to be quarantined in it's own complete set-up for 90 days to insure that it doesn't transmit any illness to your existing turtle. But I'd concentrate on keeping Tony healthy over getting another turtle. You should also do a complete cleaning of the tank now.

A fully submersible water heater should be in the tank to regulate the water temp with the basking area having a heat bulb and a UVB bulb.

What is the tank set-up like now (size, how much water, basking area type, heater, temps, filter etc)?

[missibsu]

Aside from quaratine, remember that turtles take a lot of care and need a lot of space. My two turtles were gifts as well, and I didn't know a thing about them when I got them. After a lot of research on this website, I discovered that the turtles are not even social animals, they don't need to have a playmate in the tank with them. In fact, I am faced with the possibility that they may have to be seperated later because of aggression. If they end up being seperated I will have to buy another complete set up...which isn't cheap. So, before you get another turtle, think about what you will be getting into. Not one 100 gallon tank, but 2...that's a lot of space.

I'm sorry to hear for your loss, but for now I would focus my love and devotion on Tony.

[marisa]

Very sorry to hear he didn't make it. I'd just concentrate on Tony now, and give him the best possible. He'd like that better than having to share/compete with a "friend" (who may not turn out to be one).

[scoobiedooboi]

100 gallon tank? wow... well, eventual upgrades for my buys, but it'd be worth it, sorry to hear about your loss of little turtle, my turtles are from the same litter, so thoguht they might enjoy each other's company

[sonyj]

... my turtles are from the same litter, so thoguht they might enjoy each other's company

Turtles might get along in the beginning as younger turtles, but there is always the chance that down the road they will have to be separated as they grow and mature. Each turtle has its own personality and this is what eventually causes them to not be compatible together.