General Care Discussion :: Update and questions

[industrial_girl_2000]

Hey! Those turtles are very attractive kids!

For wounds: definitely keep the water as clean as you can. It doesn't look like the tank is all that big, so doing 100% water changes once/week shouldn't be a problem for the next few weeks until the sores heal. Also, feed them both in a separate pan of water if you can. That will also help keep the water more clean since there won't be any leftover food-bits to cloudy the water (pellets are especially bad when it comes to clouding the water).

If there are white pockets on the shells, that might be a sign of shedding. Have any thin layers of shell come off yet?

I have to agree with what everyone already said about the cramped quarters. There are people on this board who have been able to separate turtles by using rubbermaid containers (so they don't have to buy a huge tank....cheaper this way). I have seen turtles fight over territory before & it isn't pretty. Do something about it now before one of them loses a tail or something.

[turtlesitter]

I guess I'll set up two rubbermaid tubs (darn, it was fun to watch them through glass). I'll have to find two separate rooms for them, too, since there are too many things that need to be plugged in and not enough plugs!!

So heat lights and rubbermaid tubs are really okay and safe? That combination just makes me nervous!

Grrr....So far it's been about $100 for an improved setup that isn't big enough. Now I get to separate them and, although plastic tubs are cheaper I still get to spring for another filter, heat light, UVA/B light, and basking dock (unless I can stack those rocks to work as a dock).

I'm so bummed. I really want to do what is right by these animals but I'm running out of space and money. I'm also NOT looking forward to explaining this new setup to my dear, distressed, and totally turtle-ignorant friend! Okay, I'm done ranting. Thanks for all the advice. I'll post pics of the updated setups when I get them done.

[N4784N R4613]

I know how ya feel man(or woman lol). I spent over $3,000 bucks on the recommended size tank for two RES(240 gallon tank), and then one of them would not leave the other alone!! So I had to divide my beautiful set-up in half. Oh well, at least they won't hurt each other now...