General Care Discussion :: Shopping List ( suggestions, corrections please?

Taking care of your turtle's overall health.

Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:30 am   Shopping List ( suggestions, corrections please?

Hi everyone. I'm getting my red ear slider next month and been doing tons of research before putting this list together. right now i have none of these. it's my shopping list, Malcolm

This is Malcolm's mom , Jodie. Hi everyone. Could you guys give your opinions or add some things to this list he needs before getting his RES? - jodie

1. 30? gallon tank
2. Zoo Med Repto Basking spot lamp
3. flukers porcelain clamp lamp
4. Reptomin turtle food
5. Zoo med basking dock
6. critter log
7. marineland heater 100 watt
8. Aquaclear 50 filter
mal
 
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:39 am   

That's great that you both are doing your research before you get a RES :D

There's a few things:
First - be aware that the 30 gallon will only last about a year if you're getting a hatchling. If you're getting a 4" turtle, a 30 gallon tank will already be a bit tight. It's best if you can go the largest tank you can right to start off, that way you don't have to do costly upgrades in the future.

The Repto Basking spotlight is somewhat unnecessary. What you do need is a UVB light and a source of heat. Most people use compact fluorescent UVB lights, since they fit in a regular light socket. There are also strip fluorescents. You'll want to get a bulb rated for 5.0-7.0 uvb. The 10.0 UVBs can be too strong, although if it's far enough away they're fine. The Basking spotlight can be used for heat, but a cheaper alternative is a regular incandescent household bulb. A 60-75 watt bulb usually gets the right basking temp.

The Aquaclear 50 should be adequate for a 30 gallon tank, although more filtration is always better.

One important thing that's missing from your list is a thermometer. It's important to know both the water temperature and basking temperature. Lots of people use digital thermometers that have a probe you can stick in the water. The kind that stick on the side of the tank are good for a quick temp reference, but tend to be inaccurate. You'll want to stay away from the glass type that stays in the tank, since it's possible for the turtle to break these.

I can't think of anything else at the moment. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask :)
­Ralpheal, "The 'L' is silent."
Frankie, "Young at heart."
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BullDog
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:43 am   

Oh yeah, a couple little things, but still important:
Fresh veggies (a res is never too young to introduce to veggies)
and cuttlebone (backing removed). He may not go to the cuttlebone right away (if he's young), but it's good to have some available to him.
­Ralpheal, "The 'L' is silent."
Frankie, "Young at heart."
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BullDog
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:21 pm   

Good Luck with your newest family member. As someone who had never owned a tanked pet before getting my RES about a year ago, I can say they're well worth the time and effort of setting them up right.

If you havent purchased the 30 gall tank yet, I would consider just start ing right out with a 55 gallon. You'll end up going bigger sooner than you think and wish you had just bought the larger. If money and space in your home permits of course.

BEST OF LUCK !!!
1 RES - Solo
4 dogs -
blue 11
tyson 7
Max and Mim brother & sister 4

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated". - Gandhi
myboyblue
 
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:10 pm   

If we fill the tank halfway, will the filter work? can you can a filter with too much GPH?

Is the 100 W bulb too much? will it hurt the turtle's eyes?

What wattage UVB bulb should we get? I see online that there is a 13 w and a 20w

- Jodie
Last edited by mal on Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
mal
 
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:24 pm   

I suggest passing on the critter log. My baby got stuck in it and it was very hard to get him out. It's a good thing it had a hole on top so he was able to breathe. I suggest getting plastic plants so he'll have a resting place and things to cling to. Some people use a soap dish with suction cups or a reptile hammock for resting spots.
Mickey
 
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:42 pm   

I don't think an aquaclear will work with the tank half full. They have a relatively short intake tube, although I think I've seen someone extend one. A canister filter will work with the tank half full though.

100W might get too hot for a 30 gallon tank. You don't want it to heat the water up too much. It's important to measure the basking temperature. You'll want the basking temp about 10F higher than the water temp.

We recommend the 26W UVB. The 13W usually aren't strong enough.

Mickey brings up an excellent point. There have been a few stories where a RES gets stuck in the log. If they can't free themselves, it's possible for them to drown.
­Ralpheal, "The 'L' is silent."
Frankie, "Young at heart."
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BullDog
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:32 pm   

BullDog wrote:I don't think an aquaclear will work with the tank half full. They have a relatively short intake tube, although I think I've seen someone extend one. A canister filter will work with the tank half full though.

100W might get too hot for a 30 gallon tank. You don't want it to heat the water up too much. It's important to measure the basking temperature. You'll want the basking temp about 10F higher than the water temp.

We recommend the 26W UVB. The 13W usually aren't strong enough.

Mickey brings up an excellent point. There have been a few stories where a RES gets stuck in the log. If they can't free themselves, it's possible for them to drown.


Will a 50 watt work for the heat?
What UVB bulb do You have?
mal
 
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Post Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:54 pm   

50W may work, again, you'll need to double check with a thermometer.

I use the Reptiglo 5.0 26W. It seems to be the cheapest.
­Ralpheal, "The 'L' is silent."
Frankie, "Young at heart."
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BullDog
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Post Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:40 am   

50w basking bulb should be fine,like BD said. you can adjust the height after taking temps. I have a digital thermometer andf a stick it to the aquarium one for quick viewing. you can get one for 2-3 bucks.
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