General Care Discussion :: Need some advice??

[nikkie]

Ok,I joined this forum for some help.My husband found a tiny little turtle at the asphalt plant where he works.... yes I said asphalt plant... have no idea why it was there or how it got there.It was really dried out looking when he got it home...so I got online and made it a temp. habitat till I can figure out what I need to do.I know that some of you will probably already say...never take a wild animal home,etc. But you must understand it would have surely died where it was found,so we kinda saved the little fella! Posted some pics for ya'll to see,if I did it right.LOL So what should I do now??

[img][img]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc216/nikkiehesson/008-2.jpg[/img]
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[Caphits]

Make sure that it has warm enough water (79ish degrees) a basking area temp of 88-90. (which it will probably not use for a week or 2.) And food. Many people recommend Reptomin. It is easy to find (walmart), it is cheap, and it is nutritious. You could also try some veggies. Most turtles go crazy for carrots. Don't go overboard though. They are very high in sugar.

Also, make sure that your water is nice and clean. And that he never gets too cold.


Later on, you will want to look for other things:

A nice big tank.
A nice filter.
UVB bulb.
Cuttlebone.


And one more thing. You might want to take out the dandelion stalk. I am not sure that it is "good eats" for a turtle. I have never heard it recommended.

[nikkie]

Thank you so much.The waters warm,and I put a light over the rock for last night,I just raised some baby chicks,so I had a good light. I will go today and get some food and probably whatever else I can find. He hasn't ever touched the dandelion,that was my 4 years old decor,after he went to bed,it came out anyway.lol I just hope he makes it...I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[mikee]

If you plan to keep it you will have to consider several things. First they grow very rapidly and you will have to upsize your tank several time during it's lifetime. I would suggst that you start off witha 29 or 30 gallon tank. They will need a basking platform with a heat source and a uvb lighting. The water temp should be between 76 to78 degrees for a hatchling. You will need a filter pump that pumps at least 5 times the water you have in the tank per hour.( gph ) I use a 300 gph for my 29 gallon tank. Don't go by what a filter is rated for as they are rated for fish and turtles need a much larger pump. This is a start. m.

[nikkie]

Ok an update for ya'll that helped me and others. I am thrilled to say the little one is thriving!! We went out and spend quite a bit of money, but it was well worth it,to see this baby make it and live a happy life!! He now lives in a 30 gal. aquarium,complete with basking dock, basking light, filter,water heater,thermometers,natural gravel and some decor to make him feel at home. Basically everything he needed and more.Oh and we got him some turtle food,treats,meal worms,etc. I wanted to make sure he was spoiled!! He is so used to us now that he even comes to the top when its food time and sometimes just comes up to me when I'm talking to him. The cutest thing I swear. Oh and I got a book now,so hopefully I won't have to ask too many questions.lol

Here's some pics of the little fella in his new home....


[img][img]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc216/nikkiehesson/spring013.jpg[/img]

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I wish I could find him a friend,I think I'd like to have 2 of them now that I have him going strong.lol

[Caphits]

They really are best alone. With another turtle, there are many many risks. Fertile eggs, agression, starvation, space requirements.... Also, if you find any conflicting info from the book, and from here, I would ask people about it here.

[mikee]

Ni-ki -- Did you get a uvb light to go with the uva lighting? When feeding I would suggest that you stick to the pellets and only feed the meal worms once a week with some calcium. You may want to make sure that your turtle has gravel that he cannot eat. Sometimes they will eat it and may stop up in the stomach or gut. It sounds like you are on the correct track with this set up. m.

[nikkie]

Ni-ki -- Did you get a uvb light to go with the uva lighting? When feeding I would suggest that you stick to the pellets and only feed the meal worms once a week with some calcium. You may want to make sure that your turtle has gravel that he cannot eat. Sometimes they will eat it and may stop up in the stomach or gut. It sounds like you are on the correct track with this set up. m.

Yeah its not gravel...I thought of him eating it,so thats why I went with the bigger "natural" rock. Yeah the meal worms are just a treat,I read on here actually that they should only have them about once a week.He loves them by the way.
Ok I'm confused on the lighting now...I got a basking bulb...so wouldn't that be uvb? I guess I'm just a little slow on this light stuff. If I need another one please let me know what it says on the box.Cause those guys at Petco didn't know anything. I was just in a hurry to go and buy him at least something to keep him alive and comfy. Thanks so much!!

[mikee]

You will need a uvb light in addition to the uva. There are two strengths of the uvb. You will need the 5.0 and not the 10. The 10 is too strong. I have had a lot of experience with chain stores and there two things they know for sure: (1) where the bathroom is and when pay day is. Before you put you hard earned money ask around this forum. Most have turtles and will help you. We bounce things off each other and you will get more info here than at one of these stores. Good Luck! m.

[theartbook35]

Your tank is really pretty, I like it a lot. Especially the plants.