General Care Discussion :: Advice for a new setup?

[Allusion5275]

How big is your turtle?
1 Sawback (false-map) turtle which is about 1.75 inches in diameter
1 RES which is about 1 inch in diameter

How long have you had it?
Less than a week

What is the water temperature?
82 F

Are you using a water heater?
Yes

How much water is in there?
75 gallon tank with about 10 inches of water

Are you using a water conditioner?
Yes Reptisafe

Are you using any filtration?
Yes a Fluval 4+ (and probably going to add another smaller filter simply for water movement)

What is the basking temperature?
Unknown

Is there a basking light?
Yes a 7% UVB Flood light

Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on?
Yes (3 different ones)

What kind is it or what is it made out of?

1 is a commercial "turtle log" made of some sort of plastic manmade material
1 is a floating lilly-pad made of a hard foam type material
1 is a piece of natural wood attached at an angle to a piece of slate

Is there a UVB light?
Yes - 160 watt 7% UVB

What have you been trying to feed it?
Killed guppies, and Hikari turtle sticks

When was the last time your turtle ate?
Yesterday

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure?
75 gal

Is the tank near a window?
no

Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity?
no
Have you read the Basic Care section?
Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations?
Yes
Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?
None

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I am basically worried about MBD in these two. What do you folks suggest using for diet to prevent it? How would you supplement food that goes in the water, I would think it washes off?


Anyway, any suggestions you have would be appreciated, I lost a red-ear about 2 weeks ago to MBD and I don't want to lose another one.

Stuff I plan to change with the above setup:

Adding a strip-light with UVB bulb on the other end of the tank.
Adding a second filter (suggestions on the type are welcome!)
Possibly changing the food based on your advice.


Thanks,

Luke

[sonyj]

Making sure that they are basking will be a good start to preventing MBD. You will need a heat light in addition to the UVB bulb that you mentioned to entice them to bask. The water temp for hatchlings should not be more than 78F with the basking temp at least ten degrees higher or around 88-90. Knowing both the water and the basking temperatures at all times is extremely important. If the water and basking temps are too close together they will not be enticed to bask.

Adding cuttle bone to their diet is something else that would be a good source of calcium for them. You find it in the bird section of the pet store (remove the hard backing off by scraping it and break it into small head size pieces). Turtle pellets should be their staple diet (once-a-day the amount that fits inside their head if it were hollow), with a variety of veggies daily. Feeders and other sources of high protein should be limited but can be given occasionally in a balanced diet.

Just something I'm wondering, how far away is the UVB bulb from the basking area. It should be located directly over the basking area along with the heat bulb with nothing blocking it (glass, plastic, screen smaller than 1/2inch). If it is too far away (more than 12 inches - 18 inches or so) then not all the UVB rays are reaching your turtles when they bask and they aren't gaining much healthy rays for their bones and shells.

Just one other thing that I might add. Not sure how much ten inches of water is in a 75 gallon tank but even hatchling RES are excellent swimmers so be sure to give them plenty of water to swim in. Adding fake plants at different heights will give them places to rest while they swim as well.

Be sure to read through the care section on the main site. There is probably a lot more good info out there but I can't think of much else right now. Good luck with your little guys.

[missibsu]

I would go ahead and fill up your tank. There is no reason why you can't do that.

I would mention that it is important to know what your basking temp is. Place a rock on your basking area and the themometer on top of that. It should be about 10 degrees warmer than your water temp. Also, you should lower your water temp a bit. Around 78 for a hatchling and 72-75 for an adult res. Bumping it to 82 is fine if you are fighting an illness, but other than that, a temp that is too high can lead to excessive shedding or even harm your turtle.

The best thing that you can do to provide a healthy environment is to make sure your set up is accurate. That your turtle is basking, and acting normally, and providing a balanced diet. There is a sticky in the food section that provides a list of foods to feed. Likewise there is one that says what not to feed also.

You mentioned adding a second UVB light...is it going to be over a basking area? If it isn't then there really isn't a point. For the other half of the tank you can provide a basking aquarium light...that's what I do. It's a lot cheaper.

For a filter... I use a Rena XP3 in my 75 gallon and it does a great job. That is my personal recommendation...other people use this as well. Some use aquaclear. Not sure of the model number.

It sounds like you are off to a great start. Make sure to provide the key items I mentioned above and you shouldn't have any problems. Oh, and I would add that I don't use any additional suppliments with my turts. I do provide cuttlebone though for added calcium.

[missibsu]

Thanks Sonja! I guess we were typing at the same time!

[marisa]

What is a 7% UVB flood light?

[Allusion5275]

Sorry, it wasn't the 7% after all. I originally considered that one and instead got this one (which I thought was one of their 7% UVB):




http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=55179&IDProductRelationship=319

Basically a high UVB/UVA light which gives them a nice warm spot to bask on as well.



Luke

[marisa]

Don't know anyone who's used that particular UVB bulb, but it should be fine for a 75-gallon tank. Since you have that, make sure they have adequate calcium in the diet and have ample opportunity to bask under it.