General Care Discussion :: Suggestions

[mybrosteve]

Hey everyone,

Ive had my turtles for about a month now and things are going great, they are very active, healthy, and happy. I just have a few questions for you all.

Ive been thinking of putting some real plants in the turtle's tank, what kinds have you all used that are safe for the turtles to munch on?

Ive also been thinking of giving them some fish to chase down if they so choose, what kinds do your turtles seem to like?

The last thing i have is more of a care thing, the water in my tank has been a little warmer than what is suggested, high 70's low 80's. however the turtles still spend alot of time basking and their shells get dry and all. Is warmer water a problem if they still get out to bask?

Thank you all for your continuing help with making my turtles happy!
I just put up pics in the photo gallery, check them out! http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6495

[jenaero]

Water that is too warm can promote rapid growth. Lower the temp if you can.

Good water plants are anacharis, water lettuce, hornwort, amazon sword. I think there are more on the 'what to feed' list.

Guppies and rosy red minnows are best. Gold fish are much too fatty.

[cam722]

Sometimes it's not a matter of what they like but what's healthiest for them. Turtles are very opportunistic eaters.. heck they even eat their own waste.. eww.

As for plants, you can try most any kind the store sells for fish aquariums but what most people try first is anacharis, duck weed, water hyacinths, and there are others on the feeding list you can try I gave up on buying them because it got to be on the expensive side when they'd start pigging out on them. It was like a free salad bar to them

As for fish, what's best is like the rosie red minnows. you should avoid goldfish as they are high in fat and can carry parasites. Just remember that although they can eat most fish, whatever you put in the tank may be eaten. They don't know a 10 cent feeder minnow from a $10 catfish

The warmer water tends to make them eat more. Is that temp day and night or just in the area of the basking area? If it's just the water near the basking area it could just be because the UVA heats up the water around there as well. Test the water away from there and see if it's the same Just something I noticed with mine.