Habitat - Indoor :: Filter vs. Nesting Place

[Apollo&Scampi]

I do infact have a female slider -- and a few days ago my husband and I witnessed her ontop of her basking area kicking with her hind legs as if she were digging. I'm afriad she's wanting to expel unused eggs. The problem is that I don't have a "nesting area."

I tried taking her out of the tank and putting her in a deep box filled with nothing but soft dirt -- but all she wanted to do was jump out of the box.

I'm worried. She's comfortable in her tank so I'd like to build her a little nesting area in it, but I'm afriad about the combination of sand and my filter. I have a Rena XP1. I'm a college student, so every penny counts to me. If that filter chockes, I can't just go out and buy a new one.

She's currently in a 55 gallon filled up a little less than half way. Her age is unknown seeing that she was a gift and was already pretty big (but not THAT big).

So now that you read my long explaination-- anyone else know if sand is okay for the Rena XP1 filter and have any good nesting area ideas?

[Daniel3507]

can you take her outside for awhile. dont let her out of your sight though

[Apollo&Scampi]

can you take her outside for awhile. dont let her out of your sight though

She's so uncomfortable outside her tank. If I take her out, all she'll do is run away from me... or run under my leg.. lol.

[Apollo&Scampi]

Okay. I'm beginning to think that putting sand at the bottom of the tank would be a better idea, that is if the sand won't kill my filter.

Anyone have the same filter as me and has sand (RENA XP1)? Any problems?

[Daniel3507]

im going to put sand in my tank as a substrate today. as long as you clean the sand really well and keep it away from the intake it shouldnt kill your filter. i dont think ive ever heard of having a turtle lay eggs in water though. you might want to wait for someone that knows more about egg laying and ask them. i have a male soim not sure what to do.

[Daniel3507]

have you read the articles on this website?

http://www.redearslider.com/reproduction.html

[Apollo&Scampi]

As funny as this may sound... how do you clean the sand? Just rinse it off?

Darn. You're right. I can't think of a turtle laying eggs in the water either. Dag-nabbit. Now I need to go back to the idea of going walmart and getting creative on how to make an above water nesting area again.

[Daniel3507]

i plan on just putting it in a pillow case and rinse it untill clean water comes out.

you may have no other choice but to take her out of the tank

[meltedspork]

She's currently in a 55 gallon filled up a little less than half way.

Sorry, this has nothing to do with the question you asked, but you should fill that tank up almost to the top to give her max swimming room.

[Apollo&Scampi]

She's currently in a 55 gallon filled up a little less than half way.

Sorry, this has nothing to do with the question you asked, but you should fill that tank up almost to the top to give her max swimming room.

I'd love to but I'm in student housing (And on the second floor). When I move out I definately will.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Apollo&Scampi - There are some unconventional ways to entice the turtle to lay eggs. You have tried the soft soil in a plastic box, try adding some sand to the mix. Try taking her outside, sometimes near a plant is very desirable, you just have to make sure she doesn't escape. I know she seems scared, but if she doesn't get those eggs out, she'll die, so you just need to be patient with her. Other options, sometimes bean bag chairs seem to work well, the turtle may dig under the bean bag chair and lay there. Pillows may work. If you are buying sand for your aquarium, put her in the sand before you put it in. Get the sand slightly moist so she can dig in it and let her in there for a bit.

If she hasn't laid the eggs in the next couple days, you need to take her to a vet to have her induced. Otherwise, it will be life-threatening.

[Chrisbarnett]

I have an XP1 in a 55 gal with sand.

Just put the sand in a 10-15 quart rubbermaid tub or similar, then stick the hose, or shower stream into the sand until the water runs clear. Make sure you rinse through all the sand, and for about 15 min.

Then turn your filter off and put the sand in. You'll notice cloudiness which will clear up.
Also, Move your filter intake to about 4" above the sand to prevent any sand getting sucked up. Then turn your filter on.

It would take a considerable amount of sand to grind up you filter. a few grains every once and a while is not going to have a devastating effect.

[PcBuilder14]

Well this is the kind of filter I have.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752295
Will sand get sucked up into it since it isn't a canister The intake is exactly 4 and a half inches from the bottom.

[PcBuilder14]

And it sucks water in from side slots in the intake tube. There isn't a hole in the bottom of the tube.

[Chrisbarnett]

No it won't suck up the sand.