General Care Discussion :: Too much water? Is there such thing?

[Doc_Moore_J]

I was watching some youtube videos, most of them piss me off by the way because of the general overall lack of knowledge in taking care of RES or other aquatic turtles. In each video, there are hundreds of comments, some good, some bad in regards to turtle care. But I was reading one yesterday and it was from what I saw a pretty good set up, but it was like a 40 gallon tank with a baby RES in it. One comment said he had too much water and the turtle wont be able to swim to the top or be able to find his basking area. Have you guys ever heard of that? I am thinking to get 1 or 2 little guys to replace my recently departed Buddy and would put them in a 55 gallon tank. Too much water for a baby?

[Raphulk]

i dont think there is such a thing. (not trying to be sarcastic towards you) but what do people think happens to wild baby RES turtles in HUGE ponds? i wish that i could get a huge space for my babies but i cant afford it.

in any case, i think the more space you have for your turtle to grow into the better

plus if youre gonna get 2 new RES turtles thats easily 3 inches of shell which would require already 30 gallons (hence 10 gallons per 1 inch of shell rule) so i think 55 gallons will be even better!

[fishyfingers]

In every you tube video where I've, for one reason or another, read the comments, there are some which really make me sick. Just take the good advice from the people here. 55 gallons would be nothing for a wild turtle,but a great start for a captive turtle. Give your turtles somewhere to rest/sleep and they will be very happy.

Forums are the way forward when it comes to pets which are not so understood.

[marisa]

I think there can be such a thing as too much water (there can also be too little water) if the water is deep and the hatchling has no resting places. Tiny hatchlings can drown if they tire and there's no place for them to rest.

There can also be too much water for a sick turtle who doesn't have the energy to expend swimming.

Your tank would be fine for two (I have to ask---why two?) hatchlings if you provide them with resting places (like plants, real or fake) in addition to the basking area. If they're really small, the water level doesn't have to be near the top---you could start off with half full (for example) and raise it gradually as they get used to the depth.

[PcBuilder14]

Yeah, I'd go with what Raphulk said, I don't see how there could be to much water, as long as there's enough places to rest. I think I woul fill it about 3/4 of the way up and add about an inch or 2 every day until it's full.

[Doc_Moore_J]

Thanks everybody. I agree that this site is the best place to get information, which is why I posted my question here my basking spot is above the tank so only filling the tank half way is no go, however, I can take a few more inches out, and I will also put some more large rocks in there and another platform right in the middle for them to rest on. I take what I read on Youtube with a grain of salt, cause I know here is the real place to learn, and I have.

Marisa, my reason for two is because they are really young. I am hoping they will grow and be-friend each other. The tank is plenty large for the both of them and I will feed separately etc.. I am also secretely looking for an excuse to buy a lager tank 120+ so if they do start to get fiesty I will use that as an excuse to the wifey hahahahaha.

[PcBuilder14]

Yeah I used to want 2 but now I'd rather have 1. Having 2 turtles just isn't for me.

[Nettle]

@Doc: Just to let you know, more often than not they tend to fight even though they've grown together. My two boys have been together since egg-birth and they hate each others' guts. And if you end up having girls, a 120 gallon tank would only fit one.

[PcBuilder14]

I hope neither of mine are Females, because I don't want a 120 gallon tank at least!

[Chrisbarnett]

Couldn't agree more with Nettle. Turtles are totally happy living alone. They couldn't care less about a buddy.

[mikee]

Too much water!! HA - When growing up I had turtles that came from Lake Santee and Lake Marion. Between the two connected lakes and trubutaries, it must be a million acres and in some places 40 and 50 feet deep in some places. Be careful what you read on some of those places. Most of the folks on this site know what they are talking about and we/they look out for the turtles. MO water MO better! M.

[zoologist]

a good rest station (aka "sleeping dock") is a suction cup soap dish. just turn it upside down and voila! you've got your turtle a place to sit.
Torti likes to stand and peek out the tank on hers, very cute to see

(crummy pic, sorry)

[PcBuilder14]

Cool pic!

[Nettle]

I can't tell for sure, but we might have the same one:

[Bumby's Mom]

Yes there is such a thing as too much water. If you have a baby and the water is too deep for him to get to the top or the basking area is way over on the other side of the tank the baby can drown. Just watch some babies, they struggle to swim to get out of the water. If you have plenty of fake plants for them to grab onto and rest then they will be fine, but having them in a tank with just water and a basking dock will not be good for them. This isn't going to be the case with most turtles as most people don't get them right after they have hatched but if you are getting a really young baby turtle you need to be really careful with it.