Habitat - Indoor :: More Cleaning questions!!!!

[pavelgype]

Hello,

I'm a new RES Owner. On October 13, I was digging a hole in my yard
to fix a huge water leak, when I saw some mud moving, needless to say, I picked it up and it was a baby RES. Still digging, more mudd moving,
another baby RES, finished digging, something swimming in water of hole,
another baby RES, covering up hole, more mudd moving, another baby RES. I took one to a local petshop and they said the RES was only about 2 or 3 days old because something on their nose. Well, I will get to my question. I got them in a 10 gallon tank with rocks on bottom, and a platform for basking. I fill the tank about 3/4 full. I have a 10 gallon filter, I use some chemicals that is supposed to help with smell and waste. I usually feed them the pellets, krill, or shrimp. I cleaned the tank December 26th, replaced the filter, and the water is already getting merky, where you can barely see the turtles. I usually clean the tank every other weekend. Do I need to get a better filter and probably a bigger tank????

Thanks for looking!!!!
pavelgype

[Daniel3507]

you will for sure need a bigger tank or tanks. the rule of thumb is 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle and since a turtle will grow to around 4 inches in the first year, you are looking at a very big tank or tanks. since turtles are pretty messy your filter should be rated larger than your tank and should cycle the water at least 3 times an hour

[marisa]

Welcome. Yes, they do need a much bigger tank (they'll grow fast) and better filter appropriate to the size of the tank. The general guide is to allow 10 gallons of tank per inch of shell length (the length of the shell down the spine from behind the head to above the tail, not including the curve of the shell). Go as big as you can. At some point don't be surprised if bullying/dominance issues arise, especially if the tank is inadequate size-wise . And, this is likely even if space is adequate especially if they're males (they can't be sexed accuately until they're about 4 inches in length)

The "something" on the nose was an egg tooth, which they used to break out of their shells. The egg tooth generally falls off on it's own after a week or two (depends on the turtle). So, you did find some young ones.

[steve]

Welcome to the site! There is a good deal involved at first, but will be much easier once you have everything in place. Here are some tips: www.redearslider.com/hatchling_tips.html

[ilcapo21]

A minor note I'm surprised no one mentioned, take out the gravel, if they accidentally swallow a pebble it could become stuck in the intestines, and cause impaction, eventually leading to death if the stone isn't passed in the bowels.

[papoopeepoo]

keep your babies warm, and read the care section on this site in its entirety! have fun along the way!

[marisa]

Does "rocks on the bottom" absolutely mean gravel?