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Ok hi guys, i just bought 2 baby turtles from the pet store for 45$ ea for both of them, and their just over if not an inch by the shell. Now, right now i dont have a heater or anything, but i do have a big big big aquarium, I got these turtle pellets im trying to feed them, and their not eating them, So what can i do in the meantime for heat and basking and food? Cause i really want to have these guys for a long time. And the aquarium size is 36 Inches across and 16 1/4 up and down. Someone please respond please, thanks, btw my name is nate and i filled the aquarium up with like a little less than an inch of water, (they can still go completely submerged) and i put 3 rocks in there, and their both just trying to go underneath the rock lol.

Give them some time - you ripped em from their home, took em on a trip with a lot of vibration, in a small container, and then threw them into a strange new world (mind you this is all from their perspective)

Let them adjust, they will come along eventually.

Btw - you are going to need a larger tank soon the little ones grow fast

Heat is important to make your turtle eat, from what I've read. Even though mine was eating fine before I started taking good care of it. They are probably a little freaked out from all the change too. And babies, everything is more critical in their environment.

Well i think i'll be good with the tank for a while, and here's some pics, btw i tried to put tuna in there and their not eating that either, i dont want to go to sleep cause i dont want to wake up with dead turtles =(.

And i got a light for em, i think it's just a light tho, no heat coming from it.


and heres a pic of the 2 turtles hiding in the rock:

With a tank setup like that, you have limited water, can't filter it or use a submerible heater.

So, saftey first... you need to put that tank on stand or somewhere that's level and solid. Next, try to maintain a steady 78-80F water temperature. If you don't have a heater yet, try to keep them in a room that is warm. Keep them out of direct sunlight which would overwhelm them.

Next, get them to eat... what kind of food did you get them?

steve wrote:With a tank setup like that, you have limited water, can't filter it or use a submerible heater.

So, saftey first... you need to put that tank on stand or somewhere that's level and solid. Next, try to maintain a steady 78-80F water temperature. If you don't have a heater yet, try to keep them in a room that is warm. Keep them out of direct sunlight which would overwhelm them.

Next, get them to eat... what kind of food did you get them?

Yea I'm going to put them somewhere else, that was just for tonight, and the food i give them is ZooMed Natural Aquatic Turtle Food, pellets for turtles with less than 2" shells. Also i put some tuna and Lettuce in there and nothing =(.

Here's a lamp i found, i think it's a heat lamp. and stuff is coming off of the turtles, looks like their shedding almost. not sure what it is. You can see it in the water.

What's the water temperature?

Not sure, but i just got a thermometer, water heater, and a basking light and ramp.

Ok here's the new setup, let me know if i should change anything, sucks tho gotta wait like 12 hrs b4 they can go in, at least that's what the water heater says.

Here's the ramp where they will bask:



Here is the Water Thermometer, (There's feeder fish in there for the turtles):


And heres a pic of the whole aquarium:

Ok fail, did'nt read directions lol for the water heater ur supposed to let it sit in the water first for an hour, then START to turn it on, mine cracked, i called them they'll let me go get a new one. =)

You can put them in when the water temperature reaches 78-80F. If you use cold tap water, it can take several hours to warm it up... even longer if the heater is underpowered and the room temperature is cold.

They don't need to sit for an hour, does it say that in the instructions? I usually just leave it for 15 minutes, then plug it in. Before I take it out or I drain the water I unplug it and leave it in there for 15 minutes again.

What's the water temperature?

Still too cold to tell, i got 12 feeder fish in there and the 2 turtles in there, their not even looking at the feeder fish lol, as for the water heater it keeps coming back on and off, i think it's good, it says 12 hours to reach the right temp for the whole tank, so i just hope they eat some pellets or the fish i put in there tonite, the guy at the pet store said its ok if i put the turtles in while the water heating is on, so they can adjust to it.

Btw the tank is downstairs, the basement, i'm thinking about moving it upstairs tomorrow.

Take the turtles out of there if it's too cold!