Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Hello from Mexico!

[Masfar]

Hi there - first time RES owner here. I rescued my 2 RES from the local market where they were about 20 hatchlings stacked in a tiny tupperware in the direct sun. This forum and website has been a lifesaver for me! I realised that the instructions the man at the market gave me were totally wrong (plastic death bowl and 30 min of sun once every 3 days!).

After doing a lot of research my two (Biggie and Smalls) have a 10 gallon aquarium (the next one we buy will be their final one!) with UVB, a basking lamp during the day, infra red heat at night and a HOB filter that is for 3 times the volume (hard to get much stuff here in Mexico) as well as a submersible heater. We had a little ATBA built and they have a plastic ladder going up to it right from the bottom of the tank. The tank is pretty bare but they enjoy their calcium block and zooming around (and it's easier to clean).

Smalls has had a hard time of it - the more I read about keeping RES the more I realised I was doing things wrong. He ended up with swollen eyes and from this forum, I realised that if I didn't get help I would end up with a RES with an RI. Luckily, I found an excellent herp vet here. Smalls is now on his second week of Vitamin A baths, has put on weight and is lively and doing well.

Both RES get a piece of lettuce floated in their tank daily (I swap between lollo rosso, romaine and red leaf). Biggie gets 5 Reptomin pellets in the evening and Smalls gets some morning and evening on the vet's reccomendation because he is so small. They both get krill or mini shrimp as a treat about 3 times a week. They were both far too small to be sold as pets when I got them but hopefully, as I learn more, they will continue being happy and healthy.

So anyway, here they are:

Smalls


Biggie




Some pictures of my tank setup - I know it's a bit dodgy but it's the best I can do at the moment and at least they have everything they need(if not attractively)

[dumbork14]

welcome! good thing you found a vet early on!

[Masfar]

Yes I know - thank goodness for Google!!

[steve]

Welcome to the forum!

[Masfar]

Thanks for all the help so far Steve - your information page have been invaluable in helping me keep my RES healthy!

[vear]

Welcome! OMG, they're so cute!!!

[waterloo]

wow cool D ,how did you build the basking wooden box and how is it hold into place? what's that Nivea cap's function?

[Masfar]

There is a guy with no fingers that has a little stall across the road for me. He seems to be a bit of an oddjob man and for 100 pesos put together the box. The nivea tin lid (and an empty biro casing) are holding the box in place on the aquarium lid shelf so it is balanced and doesn't fall in.

[RosesNKeeks]

Welcome, the little guys are so cute!

[simplehiccup]

There is a guy with no fingers that has a little stall across the road for me. He seems to be a bit of an oddjob man and for 100 pesos put together the box.

Sounds like a bargain!

[waterloo]

that's so good )
where did you buy the ramp material? and what is it?

[Masfar]

I cut up the aquarium lid (that the tank came with) and just wedged it down in the bottom of the tank up to the ramp. They love it as they swim to the bottom and climb up, slide down it and can hide under it too!

[apondfortimmy]

This rocks. There's a lot of effort and caring in this setup and I like it. Also, REALLY CUTE BABIES.

[Masfar]

Thanks!