General Care Discussion :: New baby turtle, SQUIRT (not orginal, I know lol)

[focus12221]

Alright I have a few questions, sorta, I have a baby RES that I just received and I am wondering if I am taking care of it properly because I have a 4" RES that has very proper care, large tank, large filter, 75f water 90f basking area, everything needed... but the baby im not sure if anything other than water needs to be different, the water for the baby is 78-80. There is only about 2-3in of water because he doesnt swim great yet. (baby is about a half dollar size, I know to feed every day and about as much food as his head size, .... anything else

Oh and everyone says that you need about 10g for every inch of turtle but is that in tank size or water volume, the larger RES has his water to the very top with an ATB. I've heard people say tank size so would that mean i would only need about 5-7g for every inch because the water is to the top, or does that mean i need 10g of water per an inch of turtle... ?

[BullDog]

For the 10 gal/inch rule, I figured it was 10 gallons of water, although a tank that fits your turts requirements (Say 40 gallons in your bigger RES's case) should be fine as long as it's 80% full or more.

For the baby, as you said the water should be warmer. Make sure he can get up to his basking area ok too. For the lower water level, if you provide resting areas (such as fake plants), you can gradually raise up the water level an inch at a time while he gets used to swimming. Make sure the filter current isn't too strong, and that he can't wedge himself between anything. You can also start him on veggies early (if you haven't already), because I think it's easier to introduce them to veggies right from the start, rather than later in life when they've developed their own tastes.

[focus12221]

I have lettuce in the tank and a giant fake plant that he likes to hide in so I also have that taken care of, the funny thing is that the larger RES has lettuce as well but she doesnt eat around it, she has to make it look like swiss cheese and go from the center. I just hope that Squirt doesnt try to eat the fake plant.

[Goddessofwicked]

*lol* my RES is named Squirt too.... only she is rather large I'm afraid.

and your Squirt might get a mouthful, but that will probably be the last one as I doubt it tastes very good!