Other Turtle Discussion :: I think these DBT's need help

[BiteyBits]

Awesome! You may have helped some future turtle owners by getting some more info out into the public! I'm glad you seem to have had a great time getting it all together. You did two of my favorite things, doing something constructive and giving info, LOL.

Sounds like the turtles and the museum are lucky to have you to help.

[Spike 7.62]

Ah yes, I forgot to mention the protein skimmer. From what I understand, proteins in the water made from waste, food, etc attach themselves to oxygen. Oxygen rises to the surface and becomes a film or layer of grossness. A protein skimmer will trap this gunk in a compartment so it isn't in your tank. Sea foam washing up on the beach is nature's way of protein skimming.

I didn't install the protein skimmer because I'm not sure if I need it. Does anyone who has a brackish set up use a skimmer?

**Edited to add...
Biteybits, yes I too am a big public speaker. I love public events and educating/orating. If you're ever in south jersey, stop by the seaport museum, I'm a lifetime member and volunteer now, so I could give you the grand tour Also while I was there, I became well versed with horseshoe crabs and I was switching between them, the fish tanks and the turtles. I really had a lot of fun.

-Spike

[BiteyBits]

I used to keep guppies in a brackish tank, but I never used a skimmer. I know that people who did full saltwater tanks practically HAD to have one, something about salinity makes it more of a problem. I would say maybe watch it for a while and see if a film develops. Also, if you have something that agitates the surface of the water- like a bubbler or flow from a filter or powerhead- this will reduce the film that develops.

Edit- Saw your edit, yeah me too. Weirdly, I'm a quiet and reserved person but if I feel I know enough about a topic to be helpful and have an opportunity, I'm a great public speaker. I will remember that and you know if I can ever have an actual vacation, that isn't full of family duties and insanity.

[BiteyBits]

Does your museum have sea turtles?????? I love to visit them, they dance with me.

[Spike 7.62]

I wish! Maybe I could sneak in a fly river turtle and claim it's native to New Jersey

The water surface definitely moves, you can see the rippling from the filter. Hopefully I won't need the skimmer (one more thing to do) but if it comes down to it, I have it on hand.

-Spike

[BiteyBits]

LOL, if you did I'm certain it would have a great habitat!

Always good to have extra supplies on hand. I'm just now getting my tank in 'adequate' condition with some old fish stuff. Aquatic hobbies take a LOT of equipment.


Also, just noticed your new signature. Love it.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Would a protein skimmer be needed in my tank?
Allot of stuff gets to the surface and makes it look foggy and nasty.

[jozzep]

Looking good Mike, very good
Only thing i can add to the shopping list is crushed coral as substrate. it maintains an adequate PH level that is great for DBT.Also the DBT will keep their beaks trim by chomping on it.I have river rocks cause that's what i had and never remember to pick up some crushed coral to switch it.

I was in Point Pleasant today with my girl....If i would have gotten the message, would have stopped by and check the place and the tank out.
Next time for sure.Email me your number and i'll give you a call to see if you're around when i do

As per the protein skimmer, i never thought of it, but it may work on ALL turtle tanks to get rid of the oily film that form on the surface of the water.Right now i use my python to skim it, but if my thoughts are correct, the protein skimmer might just work.
*This is just a theory guys and gals....I'll have to look into it before it's a fact.

Once again....Great job bro!

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Yeah im goingto do some research on the skimmer it would do great my tank since there's allot of junk on the surface.

[untsmurf]

Wow your hard work is really paying off!! Keep up the good work

[Spike 7.62]

Thanks everybody

Jozzep, how large should the pieces of coral be? The coral they sell at Petsmart is in "large" rocks, but I suppose some bashing would make them smaller. I have PH level test strips, what PH is best for diamondback terrapins?

-Spike

[jozzep]

Thanks everybody

Jozzep, how large should the pieces of coral be? The coral they sell at Petsmart is in "large" rocks, but I suppose some bashing would make them smaller. I have PH level test strips, what PH is best for diamondback terrapins?

-Spike

they sell #5 coral at saltwater aquarium stores.
The ph should be slightly acidic in the 6.5-7.5 range.

[Spike 7.62]

Here are some pics...


They both enjoy the basking area. There is a screen that goes over the tank to prevent escape, but the lamp is at an angle so the UV rays get to the turtles.


Something I noticed is that when either of the turtles is on the basking dock, they will put their head underwater and look around. I guess after so much time in smaller conditions, they are curious to have a top view of their environment.

I'm going over later to put a lamp stand so that the bulb has greater distance from the dock, as I feel it is too close. Jozzep, I haven't found any stores that carry crushed coral in my area, so I'll order online.

-Spike

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

They are looking great! Keep up the good work Spike

[Spike 7.62]

I think the female DBT has become pregnant. I spoke to the museum staff about this happening, and about the possibility of keeping two same-sex turtles or just one turtle instead of a male-female pair, but nothing got done. Anyway, the female has really puffed up over the past week and a half or so. I felt her in the back and if those aren't eggs they must be marbles! I told them if she releases them in the water, just to scoop them out and throw them away. They aren't interested in breeding and there isn't a suitable habitat for it.





These were taken 3 days ago. They both are fed the same amount of raw tilapia.

My only concern is that she will hold her eggs in. I know most turtles will lay them in the water, but I also know binding can be a fatal issue. How long should I wait before she should go to a herp vet? For all we know, she could be laying eggs in the night time and eating them before anyone sees.. I assume turtles in a tank would try to eat their eggs, but then again, maybe not. Anyway, how does her puffyness look, and is there anything special I should know?

- Spike