General Care Discussion :: i didnt know turtles required so much work.

[ppeachy]

so my elderly neighbour gave me two baby RES a few months ago because she could no longer care for them. i have pet fish so i assumed that turtles weren't too hard to take care of but after reading over these forums, im not so sure. they currently live in a 10gallon tank, with water about 8inches deep. one turtle is around 2.5inches and the other is only 1inch. they were the same size when i got them but one doesnt seem to grow. i dont think it's sick, but is it natural for one turtle to rapidly grow while the other is still tiny? how soon should i upgrade them into a bigger tank?

[megcornell]

Turtles do require more space and equipment than most people initially realize but really their maintenance levels are very low compared to other pets once you do get them set up.
How nice of you to take your neighbor's RES in for her, they really are delightful and enjoyable to watch.
The fact that one is growing faster than the other probably is due to the fact that he's hogging all the food. You should feed them separately or watch to make sure that each get the same amount of food. They should each be getting pellets daily (as many as would fit in their hollow heads) and veggies (look at the nutrition section for good veggies to feed).
As for your tank, you'll need a larger one ASAP- the one you have is currently too small and will only get more cramped. Buy the largest tank you can afford, a 50 or 75 gallon would suit you well- especially a 75 because if they have to be separated later on that would be a good permanent set up for one turtle. Read up on the main site for the accessories a turtle needs to stay healthy- filter, heater, lights, etc.

It may seem overwhelming, but they really make great pets.
Good luck!

[industrial_girl_2000]

Turts take a little bit of work in the beginning (until you have the set up all correct with the tank size, lights, feeding schedule, filter), then they are relatively care-free once you get that all done. They actually are less work (and cheaper in the long run) than owning a dog since you don't have to walk them or constantly pet them.

It's really nice of you to take your neighbor's RES's. Hopefully you will be able to upgrade their set up, get them what they need, and discover what it is about turtles that makes all of us on this board love them so much.

Me personally, I have had my turtle for over 17 yrs and wouldn't trade her for anything. After all that time, I have learned to read her & she responds to me like a dog. Many yrs ago, I was sad that I couldn't have a dog because I was allergic so I got Sheba my RES instead (and I didn't know what I was in for when I got her either). During the last 17 yrs, I have lost my allergy to dogs, but I love Sheba to pieces. She follows me around the house and is just so sweet when she begs for food. You would have to see her in person to truly appreciate her adorable personality.

[marisa]

Welcome to the forum. Turtles can have different growth rates, but the fact that your turtles are in such a small tank could have something to do with the size difference as well.

Do they each get an equal amount of food, or does the bigger one take more of it? Small spaces can create territorial issues. Is there any bullying or agression that you've noticed? (There may be, even if you're not seeing it.) You might try feeding them separately to make sure the smaller one is eating enough. (You could take the bigger one out and feed him in a separate container of water.)

To make life better for them and easier for you, when you upgrade (which you need to do now), go as big as you can and get the best equipment you can. Read up on what your turtles need to be healthy.

[ppeachy]

so i took all of your advice and got them a 70gallon tank. i just set it up but i wont move the turtles in until everything in the new tank is ready.

i started taking the bigger one out to eat and they both seem happy.

thank you, and im gonig to learn more about my RES.

[marisa]

You sound like you're going to be a very good turtlekeeper.

[megcornell]

What a great improvement! They'll be much happier with the extra space, nice going

[mikee]

peachy -- What size filter/pump did you get for the 70 gallon tank? You will need to get one larger than the one on the 10 gallon tank.