General Care Discussion :: red ear slider new owner

[blulite]

i would buy a heater first. it will be easier and less time consuming to change all of the water every other day with fresh clean water then to change it every hour or two to keep it warm. after all im sure solo has survived dirtier waters than what he can cause in just a day.

[myboyblue]

Yes, this is true.

He is in room temp water now, I thought this equipment was a lot more expensive. I just priced some of it and Im going to pick up a heater, thermometer and filter when I get paid tomorrow.

I got some food sticks, Wardley premium reptile sticks and hes eating them pretty good.

He really likes to swim and seems to be happy about the bigger tank. Im gonna hook em up and post a pic of his new set up this weekend.

thanks all

[blulite]

cool cant wait to see it when its done. if you aint at the rich end of your budget you could always try freecycle and see what you can get. i did and got almost everything i needed for a 120gal setup. :):):)

check it out

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... highlight=

[marisa]

To discourage him from jumping off the basking area when someone approaches, you could more the tank to a less active area or you could try putting a barrier around the end of the tank where the basking area is to give him more privacy. As he gets used to you and recognizes you, he'll probably become more comfortable with you walking by or getting near him (this may not be true with everyone, though).

Depending on how cool it is where you are, I'd get a submersible heater. The heater will work better if the warmth is being circulated with a filter (and the water will be cleaner as well) so if you can, get both. A UVB light should not be far behind. The bulb you're using is not a UVB bulb (they're flourescent and don't give off any real heat), but it's fine for a heat source. A basking area temp in the range of 88-90F is good. Water temp should be 10 degrees cooler.

Getting some anachris (aquatic plant) for the tank would be good. He'll rest on it, probably sleep in it and eventually nibble on it (a good intro to plant matter, which should be offered early, even if he's not into it yet).

[mikee]

Boy-blue -- Make sure you get a filter large enough for your tank. Fish people don't have a clue. Use a filter that pumps at least 5 times the volume. Size the pump by gph and not gallon size. Most sizing is done for fish and not turtles. Good Luck with you new pet. Your learning curve will be long but worth it. Most folks on this forum know what they are doing and are active turtles owners -- m.

[myboyblue]

Im wondering what to do, Im puchasing the filter tomorrow and I currently have a 20 gall. long. However I plan on going bigger eventually and these cannister filters aint cheap. If I purchase a cannister for say a 55 gall. Can I use it with the 20 gallon till I go bigger. I dont want to have to buy it twice. Even more I dont want to hurt my new friend with a filter thats too big.

[chrisinva]

Bigger is always better...You want to look at the GPH...Gallons per hour...

You want 5X the tank size in GPH

So for a 20 gallon get one that rates 100 GPH or more and then it will grow with your turtle

Remember turtles are more messy than fishes

[myboyblue]

Yeah, i hear ya. But, what if in say a month or 2 I wanna go with the 55 gallon, then would the 100 gph still be efficient. If not, am I better off and is it safe to go with something that would accomodate the 55 gallon now and use it in the 20 gallon?

[chrisinva]

I would go bigger than 100 gph in a 55 gallon...

I have a Rena XP-3 in my 55 gallon and it's rated at 350 GPH but I wouldn't put it in a 20 gallon

Check out the Rena XP1 it's rated at 250 gph

I got the XP 3 so Iwould be good for 75 and up tanks in the future...It's good you are thinking ahead

[myboyblue]

UPDATE

Ok the appropriate cannister heater was more than I thought. I had to nix it for now. I picked up a filter 79 gph and a Uv lamp. ( he already has a basking lamp) and a little white turtle - reptoguard?. recommended by employee at reptile store.

Should i definitely use the reptoguard ?

And im a little concerned about the water temp. Would a towel underneath the tank (its sitting on a stainless steel table) help keep it a little warmer, and also will the new UV provide some heat.

It wont be more than a couple of weeks before I invest in the good heater.

[chrisinva]

UPDATE

Ok the appropriate cannister heater was more than I thought. I had to nix it for now. I picked up a filter 79 gph and a Uv lamp. ( he already has a basking lamp) and a little white turtle - reptoguard?. recommended by employee at reptile store.

Should i definitely use the reptoguard ?

And im a little concerned about the water temp. Would a towel underneath the tank (its sitting on a stainless steel table) help keep it a little warmer, and also will the new UV provide some heat.

It wont be more than a couple of weeks before I invest in the good heater.

The reptoguard sulfa blocks should only be used if your turtle is sick...It has really no effect otherwise and if you use it when he is healthy he can become immune to it...I asked this same question before...I just saved mine

[myboyblue]

Ok I broke the freebie 20 gallon tank donated to me off of craiglist.

But hes all set up

1 20 gall.long $27.99
1 filter $47.99
1 submersible heater $34.99
1 uv lamp w/ hood 19.99

Going out to trick or treat with the kids knowing he's gonna be ok

...Priceless

Thank You all so much
Ill post pics soon !!!

[chrisinva]

Great news...bring him some candy