General Care Discussion :: Help, 1st time turtle owner.

[aprildc82]

Hello everyone I'm April 23 from Fl. Yesterday someone gave my 1 year old son a tiny slider turtle as a pet. As nice as the gester was I am left to take care of him/her. I have no idea how !!!. I went out and got an aquriam(sp) with rocks so it can climb out of the water. I was reading that younger sliders eat bugs and small fish. The person at petsmart just gave me pellets and it dosent look like he/she has been eating them. The petsmart person told me to break the pellet in half and give it 3 pellets (6 halfs) ever other day. Is that right. Oh and do I need a heat lamp. Since I'm in Fl I was told I wouldnt need a lamp until winter. The turtle lives in our sun room so it's warm out there but does it need to be warmer. Please help. Thanks.
April

[aprildc82]

Ok I've been reading alot on here and I am way behind on my turtle supplies. What kind of filtration system will I need, How much water needs to be in the tank, How do I keep the water warm, What kind of light will I need. Do I need to buy plants andother stuff to go in the tank. I am so lost.

[TNTurtles]

I dont have time to give basics bc im about to run out, but i know if you read up on the basic care section of the main page, most of your questions will be answered.

[Spookster]

For starters
http://www.redearslider.com/res-guide.pdf

Plenty of reading
http://www.redearslider.com/index_basic_care.html