Habitat - Indoor :: turtle tank problem PLEASE HELP!!

[slidin_sliders]

i have to 4 inch RES but they both live in a 20 gallon tank. right now they are botyh acutally very healthy no health problems, no pyramiding, just some marks from metabollic shell desease from when they were little. They are both very active , eat well, and bask regularly i just feel that they need a way bigger setup.

i was already on my way to the store to get them a new 80 gallon but then my parents suddenly refused to let me buy it.

right now we dont have the space to put an 80 gallon tank and my parents aren't wiling to let me spend the money to buy one.

my dad wont let me keeep them in a bigger rubber maid container because he said that it looks bad. but i personally think it is a good idea.

help me what should i do?

and also my dad said if he bought it, he might let me put it in the garage

but i dont think it is helthy for them to do that

PLEASE HEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!

[Kallistos]

Since you live in California, I don't think it's much of a problem to keep it in the garage. Just make sure it's very clean near the tank and that you get a hood that completely covers the tank. I don't reccomend a wire mesh in a garage because the dust can fall right into the tank. THis just happened to me, I went to the pet store to get the 125 gallon tank, I told my parents the dimensions, then they saw it and flipped. I bought a 120 gallon tank instead. If need be you can get an air filter to put near the tank, what are the temperatures like for every season in california?

[Spookster]

For two turtles you will need a tank much bigger than 80 gallons. They will continue to grow and depending on whether they are male or female they will grow to be anywhere from 7 - 12 inches. Using the general rule of thumb of 10 gallons per inch of turtle you would need at least 7 inches x 2 turtles x 10 gallons = 140 gallon tank.

[slidin_sliders]

but the garage will still have car exhaust comming in and out of it.

is it still a good idea?

i also have a balcony next to my room but the rain could get on all the wires and electricute my turts...

[steve]

There has to be another room... you have to make a lot of compromises when you keep turtles.

[Kallistos]

Okay I just went through the EXACT same thing with my parents. Go around the house with a tape measure and show your parents all the places the tank will fit. After that, bug them constantly and eventually they'll give in. It took me about a full year of constant buggin on and off, and walla today I have an empty 110 gallon tank sitting downstairs.

[Kallistos]

Oh yea, another thing that worked was, I threatened to give them away to CORHS and send them the $700 I set aside for the turtles. That scared them too.

[slidin_sliders]

lol

okay ill do that

my my dad is very very stubborn

[slidin_sliders]

actually there is a guest bedroom with enough room but there is probably no way that will happen

[Kallistos]

Did you do the tape measure thing? Stay persistent, be annoying, and be twice as stubborn as your dad.

[slidin_sliders]

lol isweaar this gonna get me grounded

[CApears4u2]

I love this.

I'm a "parent"... only to a 3 and 5 year old. Good to know what's in store for me when they get older!

Anyway, my advice is to do your 'homework' i.e. gather (print if you can) legitmate information from the 'net about the specific needs of your turtles. When you talk to them, use this info as backup to show them you are serious about their care and you are responsible enough to do whats best for them.

I don't know how old you are but here's another hint which would help: Try to show the same enthusiasm you have for your turtles with other things in your life. Like school, chores at home, etc. They will take you much more seriously and realize you're maturing!!

Fun eh?? Good luck.

Oh, annoying the he11 out of them and bugging them into submission is not a good idea. They will resent it.

Be clever about it, show them you are smarter than that (and responsible, HUGE in a parent's world) and they will be impressed and proud of you.

TT

[CApears4u2]

Oh, what's CORHS? And I also live in CA.

[JuelisKaylee]

I heard that the turtles grow according to the size of their habitat....My husband had a turtle from college (like 4 years ago) and right now the turtles we got in april are about one inch away from being the size of the four year old turtle. We've got 2 RES and the other turtle, well i dont know what it is exactly. But what I'm saying is that his parents had it in a terribly small container and we assumed that halted his growth....since my babies are almost his size.

[JuelisKaylee]

How big are yoru turtles....

I also agree with CApears...annoy them, maybe yo might get it. Or try asking for it as an early christmas gift.