redearslider.com

Hello all, I recently became the proud owner of a red-eared slider (Timmy, too) and a yellow-belly slider (Tommy). The mall near my house has this little stand that sells RES's and YBS's and the keep like 50 of them in a small tank in the middle of the mall while hundreds of people pick them up and toss them around all day. After walking by a few times I felt so bad for the little guys that a purchased two in hopes of giving them a better life. I have a baby pool that is about three feet in diameter with a bout 15 gallons of water in my living room for the two little guys, they're about 1 1/2 inches right now. I have two filters, two heaters keeping the water temp at about 78-80 degrees, a Hagen Life-Glo2 full spectrum light and a 60 watt Repti-sun basking light. They seem to be very happy, except Tommy (the yellow-belly) stopped eating a few days ago, so I took him to the vet, who thought he might have an infection so she gave me some antibiotics, which seem to be helping because he actually took a bite of some tuna tonight. Well, that's a little info on my guys, looking to learn as much info as I can about raising some healthy, happy turtles.

welcome to the board!! Sounds like you're rally devoted to your turts. It's good to hear. About the full spectrum light, your best bet would be to get a bulb specifically for UVB. full spectrum don't necessarily give enough UVB. Exo-terra or hagen are respectable brands for UVB lights.

again, welcome

Hi and welcome. Hope your turtle is recovering. What were you given for him?

Welcome to the board,

I googled that full spectrum light and I didn't see anything about UV on the whole page( http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/gloreminder/glo.cfm ), you need to get them a UV bulb made for reptiles, make sure you see the letters UV on the package.

But don't get one that says 2%--it's not enough. Even the 3% one is somewhat low. Look for Reptisuns.

I just ordered a Repti-sun 10.0 UVB light, but I've been putting them in the sun for about 45min to an hour,I think that will help until I get the UVB light. The vet gave me Baytril I think it's called, it takes me a while to get Tommy to take it, but he seems me energetic the last few days. Any suggestions on foods that will coax him to eat??

He may lose his appetite while he's on the medication. Try to "tempt" him, though, with smelly things--bits of sardines or tuna packed in water, pieces of hard-boiled egg whites, mealworms, boiled white chicken meat. Once he gets his appetite back, get him eating pellets to provide balance to the diet, and vary with other foods. Look at the posts in the feeding forum.

Hi...welcome to the board.....it is always so nice to have new members join.

welcome.... enjoyed the info. you posted sounds like u r on the right road. I was just wondering if the 2 turts r in the same pool could the other get sick? also I am soooooooo interested in seeing how u attached the equipment to the sides of a pool could u post pix that show where and how of the filter heater and lights???????