General Care Discussion :: New Turtle Owner with Questions...

[GoGodzilla]

I became the new owner of a hatchling RES on Saturday.
I think its a hatchling,about the size of a silver dollar.
His name now is Gamera.
Gamera has:
A ten gallon tank,bottom lined with river rock,2 large rocks for a basking area,and a submersible heater to regulate his water temperature,also a thermometer.Water is about 4-5 inches deep.
He can easily climb onto the basking area.
I am keeping water temperature to 78 degrees.
I have a filtration system,but have not started using it yet.
My questions:
Water is getting very cloudy..Is this good for him or should I start the filter going?
For some reason,all day long,Gamera is sitting on the submersible heater,only way I could get him away is to drop some Turtle delight in the tank.
Also,the tube of the Filter is very large,what do I do to keep him from getting stuck in the tube?
Im a new Turtle owner...help would be very much appreciated!
Thanks in advance-D

[TheComputerGremlin]

First, your avatar is way too big. Try to edit that down a little so it takes up less space.

The water is probably getting cloudy because it's trying to balance out the new environment. I'd get the filter up and running to help with the tank. The tube of the filter should have a covering over it to prevent turtles and fishes from going up in it. If you are worried about it, super glue the covering to the tube to prevent it from falling off.

[GoGodzilla]

Sorry about the avatar....was testing it out when you responded.
On the other hand,Gamera is supposed to be freakin Huge!
LoL
Cool,Thanks for the advice.
Its appreciated.
Now,if I can get him off his heater...he is sleeping on it right now!

[yomama]

Your turtle might be around the heater because the water is warmer there, so maybe consider about a better heater.
Yes you should get the filter to start because it's way easier and turtles are messy.
how do you keep him away????!!?!?
well hmmm....take a picture and ask me, or consider about it...again.

[TheComputerGremlin]

My turtle used to sleep on the heater when it the water level was too low. Since that time, I have moved the heater to an inaccessible location so he can't get up on it.

[megcornell]

One of my turtles used to constantly hang out on the heater. Once I turned the heater so it was vertical she stopped using it as an in-tank resting area, and starting using the floating plants I provided.
Since your temps are correct, I'd assume your turtle isn't near the heater for a source of warmth but maybe just as her tank "hang-out."

Make sure you firmly attach the cover of the intake tube on your filter. Too many turtles have drowned after getting stuck to them, it's really an avoidable tragedy if the cover is glued on. Once that sets, I'd start using the filter ASAP. You'll need to do some frequent water changes for a while until the bacteria kicks in, but clean water is essential for turtle health so the sooner you start filtering, the better.