General Care Discussion :: General Set-up and care guide anywhere?

[complick8d]

This will be my first RES since childhood and I want to be sure that I purchase the proper set-up for him. I'm finding conflicting info on the internet for proper tank size for an adult RES as well as temps of basking spot. My preference is to buy everything right the first time so that I don't have to stress the turtle out by making a lot of changes after he's home. Are their any recommended books or sites with good info on proper set-up?

[PintoD]

I went to Pet Supermarket and they had a pretty good RES book and their set-ups. I would say get a large tank that is wide not deep that is not that imporant. A good filter that is for more capacity than the tank. UVB bulb. Heating rod. Thermomiter, and something to treat the water. Oh and basking area. Remember the if you buy something like a 20 gal tank you will end up buying a new tank after a while because your turtle will out grow it. Hope this helps

[complick8d]

He's in a 20gal tank now with no lighting and it's way too small for him and obviously not ideal conditions. My BF wasn't aware of the general set-up requirements, so I'm now doing the researching to give this RES a better life.

So far, here's what I know I need, but I need more info
-the biggest tank I can afford, 40gal being the smallest for a little guy (what size is best for an adult?)
-submersible water heater 100 or 200 watt (Recommendatons??)
-water filter (Recommendations??)
-uva/uvb bulb (Would Reptisun10.0 be a good one? That's the type recommended for a bearded dragon)
-heat lamp/fixture (Already have this, but will need to adjust the bulb once I get a new tank)
-digital probe thermometers
-basking area/platform
-food
-water conditioner
-timer for the lighting (what are the light/dark requirements for a RES?)

[N4784N R4613]

EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS RIGHT ON THIS SITE!!!! :D I have spent DAYS searching the internet for RES care, and THIS SITE IS THE BEST ONE OUT THERE PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

Take a look for yourself...
http://www.redearslider.com/index.html

Here is the page that tells you EVERYTHING you will need to start up a tank(Of coruse to go right to the full size tank, you should 3X everything. (40 gallon tank, to 120 gallon tank, etc. etc.))
http://www.redearslider.com/startup.html

GOOD LUCK!!! RES ARE AWESOME PETS!!!

Nathan.

[BullDog]

I would recommend looking for a large tank on craigslist or your local classifieds. Sometimes you can find a 90gal tank or larger for the same price as a new 40gal. Pinto is right - if you start small, you'll need to buy multiple setups. The rule of thumb for RES is 10 gallons of tank for 1 inch of shell. Since an adult male can be 7-9 inches, and a female can be 10-12 inches, you're looking at a very minimum tank size of about 75.

For filters, canister filters are definitely the best. You'll want a filter rated for about 3x your tank size. (So for a 50 gallon tank, you'd want a filter that's rated for at least a 150 gallon.) Many members here use the Rena XP3/4. I've got a Fluval 404 and FX5 which I'm very pleased with.
No matter what tank size you get to start (even if you get a 40 gal) I would recommend getting an XP3 (or equivalent) filter, so when you upgrade the tank again you don't have to buy a new filter.

For lighting, there have been a few reports of the 10.0 being too strong and causing eye problems. I think most people use a 5.0.
You'll want to mimic the daylight cycle, so about 12 hours on and 12 hours off (give or take).

As Nathan said, the main site (redearslider.com) is one of the most accurate RES sites out there.
Once you've browsed through the main site, you can post any more questions you have

[TheComputerGremlin]

Also, if you are getting the biggest tank you can, you can look into mercury vapor bulbs for a dual UVB/UVA/heat source. You need to have a minimum of 55 gallons though. I have a 5.0 bulb and it's great, plus a regular bulb for heat. And I just did my first monthly clean of my Rena XP3, okay, it was grosser than I'd imagine, but it's kept my water gorgeous and I would buy this filter over and over again!

Basically, on this site, you'll get a lot of conflicting opinions (such as between the two big filter brands on here, Fluval and Rena) and eventually, you just have to bite the bullet and pick one! Oh, and you'll probably want to build your own basking area to make it easier, the bigger tanks usually require a home-made basking area, though a turtle dock will work when he's smaller.

[mikee]

Comp-8d Most of us have been down this road of up buying as the turtle gets bigger. You should have a tank that is 10 gallons per inch. That is a minimum. When a tank too small it effects there behavior and their health. Your filter should be able to pump at least 5 times the volume that is in the tank. The rest is easier and less expensive. Most of the folks on this site know what they are talking about and will be gald to help. -- Good Luck!

[complick8d]

I was thinking of starting with a 90 or 120 gallon, so sounds like I'm right on target with that.

[N4784N R4613]

Yeah, that would be perfect!