General Care Discussion :: Dorm Room Turtle

[akilaki]

Hi,

I purchased a baby RES turtle during a carnival/parade because he was so cute but I did not know how much care was actually involved. After doing some intitial internet investigation I went to the pet store to solicite some advice and purchased him some food and a 10x5.5 round HerpHaven. I want to get him a large tank but I am living in a dorm until august and need to wait until I move to purchase a large tank. I see that I need to provide a heat lamp and water heater for him but I dont know what is the best thing for me to do while i wait to move into my appartment. I took him outside this afternoon to give him some sunlight. I want to keep him as healthy and safe as possible. What should I do! Please any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[sull324]

Well if you are short on space you can start with one big plastic container,an recycle bin similar to that would do the trick until then.
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/all-in-one-recycling-system-1.jpg

You need to fill it to at least half with water ,try to assemble an basking area with big rock,as of the heat an house bulb would do the job,just make sure the temperature on the basking area is around 90-100f. If your handy you can assemble something fine for not much penny.

If you feed it quality food and does not overfeed i think your turtle would be fine until it move to something better.

[steve]

I agree that a plastic container is the best way to go. It also gives your turtle a bit more privacy since it won't be completely transparent. Most people use the zoo med dock or you can buy a different one or even make one yourself.

[mike hill]

Since you don't have a filter you will have to change the water on a regular bases. The water should be kept between 75 and 78 degrees with uvb lighting. Good Luck.

[Melvira_Fox]

Yeah, don't forget your uvb light too. I think 5.0 ReptiGlo is the way to go and you can buy the fixture for it for cheap at a hardware store or Wal-Mart.

[akilaki]

Thanks everyone for your replies. How often should I be looking to change the water? Should it be something like every three days or is once a week ok?

[marisa]

I'd aim for every 3 days, because water that's stagnant and not circulating can get foul pretty quickly. You could keep it a bit cleaner by feeding him in a separate container of water.

[TartarugaVerde]

NICE..... get a floating thing that the turtle can go over it and dry up... a light would help keep things warm

[TartarugaVerde]

How's your turtle?
upload a pic . . .

[TheComputerGremlin]

With a baby turtle, the water won't foul quite as frequently. Trust me, you'll know when it does! I would strive for once a week if possible, don't change it too frequently unless it is clearly cloudy and stinky, the clean water can be harsh against their skin, esp. in sub-optimal conditions.

[pribble]

Chlorinated water can be harsh on the skin fresh from the faucet. However, clean water is better for them. Waiting until it gets cloudy is a bit much. Getting a larger tank and filter would be a lot less work.

[TartarugaVerde]

perhaps a picture so we can help with tips?
i went from a plastic container to a 10g filter w/ a buncha stuff is 3months of upgrading...spend +-$125 on everything....

[rsour24]

im just throwing this out there, but couldnt he just take his turtle outside for id say a good hour everyday for sunlight since its hatchling and skip the uvb/heat bulb until he moves out? its not that far away and u cant beat natural sunlight anyway

[marisa]

Water that looks clean is not necessarily so...I've never had a problem with clean water being "harsh" on a turtle's skin. If the water is chlorinated, use a dechlorinator to rid it of the chlorine.

[TartarugaVerde]

yeah the dechlorinator helps clean the water and your fish to survive hahahahah i lost a couple- didnt know anything about water etc... anyways rips 1-dozen of colored fishies....

well sorry but i find it hard to take your turtle daily for a walk...specially it be a little troublesome to watch over it in the sun etc.... they need to slide in/out of water etc... fr $40 you get both lamps and the ceramic clamps! and you are set...