Habitat - Indoor :: Turtle growing up: Tank size question

[ashipyor]

My hatchling Tilly is growing quickly and seems to be very happy and healthy! Tilly is currently 3 inches in a 30 gallon tank so I know an updgrade is in her near future. This summer I will be moving and I will be buying Tilly a new tank when we get to her new home. Is it better that I buy a tank that she can spend the rest of her life in...and if so, what's the biggest she will get? I'm not sure if it's even a she...

80 gallons?
90 gallons?
100 gallons?

[Raphulk]

the bigger the better, most of us would agree.

in my opinion, living up to par with the 10 gallons per inch on the shell is really a luxury. but if one could afford it, I think it would be great to get as close as possible.

I would believe that the 80g, 90g, and 100g are all suitable for permanent homes, definitely better than many turtle owners in fact.

[Daniel3507]

its best to buy a tank that will last the life of the turtle. that way you arent constantly buying tanks. go with 100 gallons or even bigger. an adult female can grow to 10 or 12 inches so thats something to keep in mind (probably wont be able to tell the sex for sure till it is about 4 inches)

[ashipyor]

Thanks everyone!

[moldygrape]

oh yea ive been through a 10g 20g 30g and im getting tired of it and am going through tanks soooooo ima get a 90g btw ashipyor dont forget to see if the part of the house your putting it in can handle all the weight of a 90g tank REMEMBER ONE GAL OF WATER WEIGHS 8.2 LBS!!!!!!

[mackadocious]

and moving an empty 100 gallon tank....the glass (if that's what you choose) will weigh in the neighborhood of 100 lbs...bigger for sure tho--you have more options with things like basking areas (like not having to build above tank if you don't wanna) and plus they look a lot cooler too

and yeah females can get that big, but i don't think it's that typical...i've only seen one in captivity 10" and that was mexico and not even actually red eared but green...i saw one 12-13" down the road from my house 6 months ago that i moved out of the road (i live on the tennessee river) and was so amazed i took it down the street to my house and took pics before i carried her down to the river....i think 6-9" is more typical, tho you never know...