General Care Discussion :: new turtle need info/help

[nai13]

just got my new turtles tank set up, its a 10 gallon but she is only about an inch long(shell) i have a turtle handi cap ramp with my room lamp over the ramp so she can bask its half way full with a layer of gravel and shells a star fish and sand dollar in the tank with her. the tank is 81 degrees. also will she be able to find the ramp by her self since she is so younge? or do i have to keep putting her on it, lol and she keeps swimming to the end of the tank cause she sees her reflection and just stays there >.< is that bad?

please let me know if im doing anything wrong. please?

oh and deciding from the names Honu or Kame tell me what yins think !!

[chinlato]

Hi, from what i know, the basking site needs to be completely dry, and your turtle is big enough to go on the ramp by itself, i have a 1.5 inch and a 2inch and they both bask when they feel like it, give it a week or two and let your turtle get used to its tank.

Also, i put a towel over the front of my tank to give more privacy, as they only bask when they feel safe, i look through the side of my tank carefully and almost always catch them basking when the towels over it.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thanks.

[Kemul]

nai13,

The 10 gallon won't last for long. You'd want to upgrade to the biggest tank you
can afford. I think 100 gallon would be perfect, because that'll last for the rest of
your turtle's normal life. That will also save you from buying another tank in
between.

I dislike substrate because that traps debris and makes tank maintenance a hassle.
Besides, if the gravel is small enough for the turtle to swallow, that will be a bad
thing. I'd recommend removing the gravel.

Water temperature is a little high at 81°F. If you can, lower the temp to upper
70s, since your turtle is still a hatchling. Basking temperature should be around
higher 80s to 90°F (about 10°F higher than water temp to entice basking). Your
turtle will find the basking area itself when it gets accustomed to the tank.
Refrain from touching your turtle too much so it can get accustomed to the tank
quicker.

Other than regular light bulb for heating (60W is sufficient), you'd need a UVB
bulb. The common type used is Exo Terra Reptiglo 5.0 26W or its equivalent.
Follow the directions so that your turtle's eyes don't get irritated while basking.

As for the name, one of Novroz's turtle here is named Kame. Honu is an
interesting name; it doesn't sound gender specific, perfect for a hatchling