General Care Discussion :: Hatchling - things to look out for?

[industrial_girl_2000]

As you all know, I just got my new hatchling 2 days ago and I was wondering if you guys had any good advice concerning "things in the tank" that can be a hazard for them in terms of drowning or God-knows-what? I know everyone talked about the floating basking docks & how the little ones can get caught between the dock & the tank glass & drown. Are there any other places I should make sure to safe-gaurd? Currently I have my Fluval 2 filter suction-cupped to the aquarium floor in the one corner of the tank because the water is too low for me to keep it upright. Should I worry about the turtle trying to dig between the filter & wall?

Just looking for some hatchling "lessons-learned." Maybe I am just a paranoid turtle-mama, but you guys always have some great suggestions. Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

Anything a little turtle can get stuck in, he will. My turtle had a very near miss when he stuck his head and front feet in the hole in the bottom of a little plaster alligator and couldn't get them out. First, he nearly drowned, then I feared we would pull his head off trying to get it out of that hole. Now, anything I put in his tank I try to imagine if there is any conceivable way he could get his head or body stuck.

Just the other day somebody's little turtle got stuck to the bottom of the intake pipe on the filter when the guard fell off the filter and nearly drowned. Just make sure that the intake has a secure guard on it and that the suction isn't so powerful the turtle couldn't break free.

[lisajonathan00]

I am learning this as well. I bought the dock that suction cups to the side of the tank, because afraid of what may happend. I dont have experience to tell ya about the filter.

But I will be watching this post as well, so I can learn some new things too.

[SpotsMama]

On those docks with the suction cups, you can do a couple of things to make them safer. First, you really don't need the suction cups on the bottom. The ones on the top hold it in place just fine. Without the bottom suction cups the dock can move more freely and a little turtle can get loose if he needs to.

Secondly you can turn the frame so the horizontal bar is at the top rather than at the bottom. That gives even more flexibility to the vertical bars and there's one less thing for a turtle to get stuck behind.

I think making sure the turtle has an alternative place to rest and hide is important. I think they try to get behind the dock because they feel it will be safer and more protected. If they have somewhere better to go, then they shouldn't feel so compelled to get behind the dock.

[steve]

I would personally get rid of the glass pebbles you have. I've seen them chip and crack when I had some in a fish tank. Once I had brightly colored rocks and they leached some of the color, so I've been sticking with the river rocks.

[grey goose]

When the three babies were dropped on me, I just took tranquilizers (just kidding ). Your tank looks OK to me, just make sure he can't wedge himself into a spot he cant get out of. Maybe put a coffee mug in there for a place to hide....

[lisajonathan00]

Steve how do you clean the river rocks right out of the river? Someone told me you ahd to bake them or boil them? Which is to be done to be safer?

[flutterby]

Scrub them with a brush then either bake or boil them, I don't think it makes a difference.

[lisajonathan00]

Well I am going to boil them so I can see it happend and know they will be done. Thanks

[industrial_girl_2000]

Well, as a precaution, I did move the fluval 2 filter out from the wall & direct it more on an angle. I found that I definitely need to have the suction cups to anchor the filter because otherwise it floats up. The good thing is that the suction cups are only on one end of the filter, the other end sort of floats in the water (not heavy & easy to move, even by the baby since I have seen him push it out of the way).

Thanks Steve, I will keep an eye on those glass pebbles.

For now, he fits nicely thru all the holes of his basking area, but I do foresee having to block the middle swim-thru hole soon so as he grows he doesn't get stuck in there. I'll prolly just plug it with a rock, stick it in there with aquarium silicone.

I never realized how scary it is to be the momma of a baby hatchling!!!

[N4784N R4613]

Lol, join the club. (well it is not all mommas I am scared to, but ahh you know what I mean...)

[d0eb0y]

yea on the basking dock i just flipped the brace upside down so the cross bar was up where my res would be basking. he was making me nervous sticking himself between it and the tank when it was sumberged.