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Hi,

So I recently moved to Spain from New York and brought my turtle with me. She just became active in April and it's been tough getting her what she needs here. They don't have tanks for turtles, no filters and they don't have the correct UVA & UVB lighting....Ugui has a normal light bulb now which is not good for her health or her sight. To top it off most petshops only have one kind of food and Gammarus...No selection whatsoever!

You can believe when I say I'm so frustrated and worried about Ugui and her health. Right now I am ordering things from UK and it's costing me alot with the pound and all.

Does anyone have any tips? or better yet do any of you live in Spain and have ideas?

Thanks
Yayi

Sorry to hear about all your problems. A regular household bulb is fine for the basking bulb, but she'll need a UVB bulb as well that emits 5-10% UVB rays. UVB rays is what helps her absorb the calcium in her diet to make a healthy shell and bones. If she doesn't have a UVB bulb right now, consider taking her outside in direct sunlight several times a week until you can get one.

What type of habitat do you have her in right now? If you can't buy aquariums there try getting a large plastic storage bin or something similar (Rubbermaid container). I know here they aren't too expensive for the size. These make good temporary set ups.

How big is your RES (shell from tip to tip not including curve)? Are you feeding veggies as well as the pellets?

I wonder how Japan is for turtles..

I'm just amazed you ordered things from the UK! You're definently a better owner than I am capable, I may have to order things soon but I get really flustered with the internets shopping methods.

Aside from the tank, is there someone here in the states that can send you things? Since you moved from here I guess it was a thought that a friend could pick up the other supplies needed and mail them cheaper than the cost from UK? I really don't know. The tank would cost too much I am sure. Good Luck!

Where in Spain are you? You probably need to find a speciality store in a large city. If you are buying electrical devices and having them shipped, make sure you double check to see if they will work in Spain.

Also, check the major pet suppliers and manufacturers if the have Spanish locations or retailers... hopefully you can find a store directory that might be helpful. Another way to check... contact a local reptile organization, veterinary or message board... they should know where to find supplies. Good luck.

You could look for on-line retailers that will ship internationally (but this will be expensive). Also look at products that are made in Europe (Eheim, for example).

Alkaiser, I used to live in Tokyo, and got my RES there. What is it that you're wondering about turtles in Japan? Product availablity?

Hi Guys!

Thanks so much for your suggestions, I am quite surprised you all took the time to help me. Its very welcoming

My Sliders name is Ugui pronounced (OoGhee), I rescued her from my best friends brother who purchased 4 baby siders in China Town New York. He then went on vacation and left them in a tank thinking his mom would take care of them. I went to visit my friend and peeked in the tank, I found that 3 of the 4 were dead! They were dry and stiff, so sad. The fourth was in really bad shape but still moving.

I took the tank and the last slider home with me, that was 3 years ago and Ugui is now gorgeous! she is about 5 inches long and huge in girth..not sure but last summer she grew alot! I guess it was because we got her a big tank, great lighting, a heater and good food. (I'll Post pics)

I've been in Spain since February, she was still sleeping but awoke in April. I bought her a fish tank, its not great because is not for Turtles. What does this mean? It means you can't use the correct filter. Right now I have a regular ol' fish filter, I can't use a cascade filter which works perfectly because the tank is too tall and the tip will not reach the water level. Do you guys have any tips on adapting a cascade filter to a fish tank? The filter is bad (I've tried 2 thus far, they both suck) so I have to change the water every 2 days..Lots of work.

The lighting is a regular household bulb, I'm worried for the same reason SonyJ mentioned; they need UVB and UVA for their food and health. So as Marisa pointed out I had to buy from abroad and yesterday I ordered 2-2 packs from UK, Zoomed lamps and Exo Terra. These look good, plus Ugui had Zoomed last year and it worked great! Expensive though due to the Euro-Pound conbversion. But I figure Ugui is worth it

Missibu, wattage is different in Europe, so my family can't send me electrical supplies as they will not work in Spain. Steve, that's a great tip, I will call a Vet and ask about suppliers...I didn't think about this. I was so used to just going to the pet store but in Spain, they have nothing for turtles. I guess they don't have a turtle market yet.

SonyJ Ugui loves cherries, grapes and carrot shavings, haven't really given her veggies though. She also loves tuna and tiny shrimps....Is this ok to feed her?

Alkaiser the web is your friend I find everything online...I found the UK store searching in Google.

Thanks guys!
Yayi

A few things about your post concerned me...

First, everyone on here uses a filter made for fish as well as regular tanks. Tanks and filters specifically made for turtles are extremely lacking in quality. A filter no mater what kind, should be rated for 3x the tank size such as 30 gallon tank=filter rated for 90 gallons. This is the general guideline we all follow and it works great.

As far as water level, your turtle should have as much water as the tank can hold to swim in. RES are aquatic and love to swim. Just be sure to leave enough space at the top so she can't escape. For set-up ideas look through the photo gallery.

Shrimp and tuna are very high in protein and should only be fed once a month or so. A good turtle pellet should be the staple of her diet, fed every other day - once a day only the amount that would fit inside her head if it were hollow. Fruit is fine in a balanced diet but veggies, especially green leafy veggies, should be given daily.

Thanks SonJa

I never quite fill it to the top so she won't escape, but I will add more water today so she has more space. I saw the set ups in the picture gallery and I was shocked! They have tons of water, I was always afraid to put too much. One more thing, I knew she needed a big tank but I din't follow the rule of thumb. She is about 5 inches but the new tank I bought is only 80 liters. In Spain they use liters and it confused me! I just did the conversion and found that it is only 22 gallons

Oh well I will buy a big rubbermaid in the meantime and when she grows some more past this summer, I will buy her the biggest tank I can find.

Check out the pictures I posted in the Gallery.

Sorry about the electrical conversions, I really wasn't thinking! I remember the time my grandmother about fried my hair with the hairdryer in Germany. She didn't plug it into a converter, and said it would be ok.

Anyway, If you are worried about your turtle not handling that much water, don't be. Natural instinct will let her know to swim. You can always provide some plants (fake or real) for her to rest on too. If they are real, she will likely eat them.

You keep mentioning growth. Most people aim for about an inch a year, maybe a bit more the first year. Since you have an older turt, you should focus mostly on veggies, the occassional fruit, and leave the pellets to every other day. Pellets should be given in the amount that would fit in her head if it was hollow. Over feeding, and extra growth has its own set of health problems. It's hard on the kidneys and other internal organs, and too much protein can lead to shell problems as well.

Maybe you could order your supplies online if you can't find them in the petstores?

or i could give you a link to another forum, where a few red sliders owners are from spain as well.