General Care Discussion :: Advice for Alternate Home Please!

[Brianthedog18]

Ok, first off, hello everyone, I haven't been on this site in a while, but I really need some advice here.

Im currently a college student, and I live in a dorm room. I currently have my res in a 20 gallon tank, but he is growing much too large for it. I have been hoping to get him a larger one soon, but I now know where I will be living next year, and the dorm is just not big enough to fit a bigger tank, and for that matter, I'll barely be able to fit this one! He's already around 5 inches, so he has definetly outgrown this tank.

I've been considering the options, and right now, I'm considering the fact that I might have to give him away. I have neither the room, nor the money for a bigger tank, and I just don't think I can provide him with everything he needs anymore. If I decide that I have to do this, it will be very difficult, but I know it will be better for the turtle in the end.

The only thing is, if I decide this to be the best course of action, I have no idea how to go about giving him away. One of my friends suggested putting and ad in the paper, but I want to make sure he gets a good home. What should I do?

[marisa]

Before you start thinking of giving him away, how about a Rubbermaid or a stock tank to give him more space? You will be staying in a dorm next year?

[Brianthedog18]

Yes, I'll be in a different dorm next year. The only difference is, here I keep my tank on my beareu (spelling?) but the new dorm wont have one, just a closet, so I have no place to put the tank!

So what I'm saying is, it's not just a money issue, but also a space issue.

I don't know, I'll try to find a way to keep him, but it becomes a big problem, especially when I have to move back and forth, it's very stressful for him even if I had room next year.

Any ideas?

[marisa]

You don't have to have a tank on a bureau...Any chance of getting a bigger set-up and keeping him at home next year? If you go back and forth a lot would this be possible (just checking)?

[daredevilgirl013]

I know with my bettas when I had them, I just asked my mom and dad if they would take care of them for me and they said yes.

If your parents are like mine with the turtle lights, they aren't comfortable leaving them on when no one is home, so now the turtle lights are on at night when everyone is home. So if they say they have a problem with that just say leave them on at night.

Just ask the parents and they might agree to it. Just say when you come home on the weekends or whatever that you'll take care of him and do water changes then and that stuff.

[marisa]

Get timers for the lights, a good filter, etc. Make it easy for whoever's at home. (A larger tank with a good canister doesn't need cleaning every week.)

[Brianthedog18]

Ok, I think I've decided to keep him you all convinced me

I'm going to do my best to accomadate him next year in my room. My next question is, if I was able to update, how much are the larger tanks (30-40 gallons) it's still kinda small seeing how he is 5 inches, but there is no way I can fit a 50 gallon. Does anyone know the sizes of these size tanks and their price ranges?

Also, if I decide to get a stock tank or a tub, are they the same measurements and will I be able to see through the side? I ask about being able to see because the only place I'll have room for the tank is on my desk, which is under my bed, so I won't be able to have very easy access to the top for viewing.

Please help me out here, I'm really trying!!

[marisa]

No, you can't view him from the side in a stock tank/tub meant to hold water.

[cam722]

I posted this site a bit ago .. I used it to decided what size tank I wanted to get. Maybe it will help you

Glasscages

Just take note on how there may not be much difference in the area it will take on a desk but you could end up with more water space because of a height difference. Marisa did a great post on this recently you may wish to check that out

[reptilegrrl]

I use a sterilite tub for my turtle. it is translucent plastic so you CAN see through the sides and get a side view. For a small turtle, a big sterilite tub should be good.

[Giddy]

Prices will range based on what you have available to you. If you watch your local paper sources, freecycle, craigslist, hit the thrift shops, etc...you very well can come up with a good tank very cheap.

[daredevilgirl013]

Yeah or yard sales. I got my twenty gallon long tank for two bucks at a yard sale. You can't beat that price! (and now I'm getting greedy and I want another cheap tank...cause I refuse to pay full price for a bigger one!) Thank goodness yard sale season is starting up again soon!!! (evil grin)