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Are tiny fish gravel rocks better to put in the tank or regular rocks? Also, what is a good cleaning method? Trying to figure out how to keep the tank cleaner.

Rocks should be larger than the size of the head. If they're really small and your turtle eats them, there's a chance he could become impacted. Try larger smooth river rocks.

Gravel is no good. Turts can eat it and become impacted, resulting in death or surgery.

I use large river rocks. Anything bigger than the turtles head is fine. I get mine for $1 a bag at the dollar store. I think walmart carries them too. I just rinsed them off before putting them in the tank.

yeah, large river rocks makes for easier cleaning too. I just got rid of my gravel (now used for bamboo) and large rocks you can just soak and scrub.... sooooo much easier than gravel

Great--gunna go rock hunting tomorrow? Also, is it okay if the entire bottom on tank isn't covered in rocks. Do they like the glass on their feet? I've noticed some people's pictures of tank setups don't have rocks covering the entire bottom of tank.

rocks or no rocks I think is more your preference for cleaning .. no rocks is a lot easier but not quite as pretty and well the turtles like shoving them around and rooting for leftover food..

it doesn't much matter if it's not completely covered. From what I understand, there's more grip for the turts to walk around if there's rocks all over. Just be careful not to have gaps where the turt may get stuck--it could end up drowning

I only have rocks in certain areas of the tank. Just enough to make it more interesting and so that my RES can push them around and do some foraging. You don't need to cover the bottom.

what about sand?

You should NEVER use sand for the bottom of a tank for RES or anything smaller than their heads.

Actually, I know of several people who use sand. I can't imagine how they're able to clean the tank that way, but I've never heard any warnings about it. Anyone know anything about this? Anyone here use sand?

Sand is more likely to clog your filter... and you don't want to do anything to affect its efficiency.

I have read once, and only once, that ingested sand can build up to cause an impaction. I do not remember if it was specifically about RES but I'd guess that it is possible but not likely. Either way I would avoid it.

I've heard of sand causing impaction in snakes and lizards but that's because they ingest it while eating, which isn't really an issue for res. It's always better to be safe than sorry tho.

I know of some really experienced turtle keepers who use sand without any problems. I don't know what kind of filters they're using, but I can't imagine it not eventually causing problems with a filter.

They make turtle safe sand they sell it at Petco. Incase they eat the sand has vitamins and is easy to digest.
The day I brought my RES home I had medium fish rocks in the tank and I read that the rocks should be bigger than their head. But when I took the rocks out my RES got really depressed and wouldn't play or eat.
Just watch your RES to see how he reacts.

~tini