Equipment Review and Discussion :: Size and Pricing (tank)

[tarrish]

I desperately want to get a new tank for my two new turtles, but I want to do it right the first time. I've already spent so much money just to research everything I have needs to be bigger and better.

I want to get a new filter to go along with a new tank. My jobs don't pay me well, and the price of living in CA isn't so great lately.

So I want to hear sizes from the pros.

For two RES turtles, what size tank do you suggest? For the size of the tank what brand and kind of filter would you get?

How much do you think the new tank will cost?

Thanks for the help guys!

[sonyj]

I don't have specific info for you, but I can pass on a suggestion that I picked up from here. Classifieds/garage sales have tanks usually at much cheaper rates. That's what I'm fixing to do... I'm just going to keep my eye out for a good used tank. Then I'll be in the same boat as you needing to find a better filter.

[cam722]

The best suggestion I can make is go for the largest tank you can possibly afford the first time. It will save you a LOT of money in the long run. You won't be going through the 20,40,60 .. every few months. I had 3 turtles to start with and when I realized how much it was going to cost to properly house them, I gave one to my daughter so that they could all have proper care and housing.

I paid about $150 for my 75 gallon tank. I also shopped online for the filter, lights, heater etc. The second largest cost to upgrade is your filter. Many here suggest the Filstar XP3 or the Fluval 404. Both of which run between $90-100 online, in pet stores you'll pay near double that.

I personally love visi-therm stealth heaters. They come with a protective covering already and you can get them online for about the same as you can the cheap over the side heaters you'd find in a pet store. They currently are on special at http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12060&Ntt=stealth&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

I know this is getting long.. sorry. An alternative would be to buy a plastic/rubbermaid/stock tank, they are a lot less expensive than a glass aquarium. There are so many options and variables when it comes to your turtles home.. My best advice is... research.. research.. research.. and buy once so you don't have to keep spending money on upgrades.

[sonyj]

Last night at Sam's Club I saw a 44 gallon rectangle storage container on wheels. It was only $14. I almost walked out of there with it but couldn't figure out where I would put it. Just research your options because there are some good stuff out there.

[marisa]

For the size tank you need for your turtles, how big are they (shell lengths of each, not including the curve in the shell). Ideally, add them together and multiply by 10 (ten gallons of tank per inch of shell length). But go bigger if you can. A canister filter rated for 3X the size of the tank will help keep the water clean.

Try classifieds/garage sales/flea markets. Also check Goodwill and the Salvation Army if you have any near you. Try also www.craigslist.org and www.freecycle.org -- maybe something will turn up there. I do like stock tanks, though, so if you happen to find one reasonably priced, don't overlook it. Good luck.

[tarrish]

Sounds like some great info. Thanks for the links cam and marisa. I'll be looking into them ASAP.

In your opinion how long do you think a 75 G tank would last for my turtles? The price you listed didn't seem to bad including the filter.

I'm not sure how long the turtles are because I can't find a ruler anywhere. They are pretty small though.

[marisa]

Depends on how big they are and how fast they grow. Growth depends in part on the diet and environmental influences like warmth. You want them to grow slowly, but steadily.