General Care Discussion :: Zeke Update & TONS of pics!!

[cprcheetah]

Well have now had Zeke for 2 days and I am SO in love with this big guy! He had his first vet visit, and everybody loved him! He has some algae and his shell is not as healthy as it can be due to poor nutrition, & no basking light. But looks pretty healthy otherwise. So we have already started him on a better diet, he LOVES carrots, and I picked up some fish for him today....the little buggers are too fast for him to catch but he really is trying bless his little soul! It's adorable to watch. I think I could sit and watch him for HOURS on end. He LOVES his basking light. Today was the first time he really basked, and he has been doing it a lot. My main concern is with his shell though....it seems to be flaking off...I'm sure this is normal but do I need to be concerned? He is 7" Long and also weighs 1# 11oz. He seems awful hungry. I am doing pellets every other day with fresh veggies etc every day. I also gave him a freeze dried Cricket and freeze dried Shrimp today....HE devoured them. I was very worried cause they said they've never given him anything, but is doing great! I think he's gonna be "I'll try anything" type. Also got him some Cuttle bone and gave him a few pieces and he also devoured it too. I need to go research and find out how much of this I am supposed to give him in a day/week etc... So is this shedding on his shell normal? (My white balance is off on my camera so don't mind it....)

Here is his setup....keep in mind it is only temporary until I can get him something else. It's called a 'turtle' tank so it has a place for the filter on the left side so it can't be full to it's potential....don't like that fact at all....

Here he is basking:

One more! He is a camera ham.....he totally poses for it!


Here is a link to more pictures....I took a TON today:
http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/ ... etank3.jpg

[missibsu]

Don't do the turtle tank...it's a waste of money and potential...

You are better off with a regular tank, and I haven't had any probems with my filter reaching the water level. The filter I have came with extender pieces for the intake tube.

Other than that, you are right, that it can't be filled up too far. That is why you are better off with another tank.

[cprcheetah]

Working on it....just got him 2 days ago so wasn't exactly 'prepared' for him. I do have a 30 gallon fish tank but it's taller not wider would that be better for him? I'm thinking so as it would give him more water to swim in. When I was at Petco, I saw the tank Zeke has right now its called a 'turtle' tank.....I do not like it, I felt like telling them....um....turtles need water DUH!!!! LOL!

[missibsu]

Unfortunately I think a company saw a way to make a buck...I'm not really sure why that design is so popular...It's sad really.

Forgot to metion in the other post...glad the vet visit went good. I think you will see shell improvements with the balanced diet and proper habitat!

[sonyj]

I'm glad the vet visit went well. With time and the proper diet & setup, I'm sure his shell will improve. It looks like he needs a good shedding.

Did the vet say if there was anything else wrong with the shell such as shell rot? If not, then he should start to look better after some shedding.

[kneecole]

Working on it....just got him 2 days ago so wasn't exactly 'prepared' for him. I do have a 30 gallon fish tank but it's taller not wider would that be better for him? I'm thinking so as it would give him more water to swim in. When I was at Petco, I saw the tank Zeke has right now its called a 'turtle' tank.....I do not like it, I felt like telling them....um....turtles need water DUH!!!! LOL!

I think even though it is taller instead of wider the 30 gallon would be better. Cause really you only have about 12 gallons in that 20 gallon tank.

[Spookster]

Working on it....just got him 2 days ago so wasn't exactly 'prepared' for him. I do have a 30 gallon fish tank but it's taller not wider would that be better for him? I'm thinking so as it would give him more water to swim in. When I was at Petco, I saw the tank Zeke has right now its called a 'turtle' tank.....I do not like it, I felt like telling them....um....turtles need water DUH!!!! LOL!

Don't worry you're not the only one that pet stores con into getting those turtle tanks. I went with what they suggested too and got one of those. It was nothing but a pain in the arse. I was glad to get rid of it.

[cprcheetah]

I just got him...and definately would not have chosen his 'turtle' tank. I am working on getting him set up in my 30 gallon fish tank....JUST temporarily till I can get a bigger tank...looking at least 80 gallons. I was at Petco doing adoptions and someone brought him in with all his supplies and no longer wanted him....so I took him home. He's already got my heart.....