Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Hi Im knew here need advice

[Turtle Cutties]

Hello I'm new here and I'm also new at taking care for turtles , I have been searching about red ears sliders since last week and I found this forum so I thought you guys could give me some advice since some of you are really experienced . I also want to know what kind of food I should give to my red ear slider to keep it healthy and I also was wandering if I could put him/her in a 30 gallon Rubbermaid pot that I have in my storage he/she is about 2 inches my friend gave it to me because she didn't have enough space he/she was in a 5 gallon tank with 2 other turtles , the tank was covered in eagle and the turtles didn't seem really happy . she/he was the smallest one and seemed really unhappy and shy she/he is also missing her/his front claws is that a problem ?
Anyway thank you .

[steve]

Welcome to the forum! How many turtles do you have? MIssing nail could be a problem, depending on the cause of it.

[Turtle Cutties]

I only have one

[steve]

Can you post a picture of the nail area? 30 gallon will do for now. I would probably think about a 55 gallon (there are sometimes $1 per gallon sale, and you can nab one for $55). How long have you had it? Is there a basking area, lighting, UVB? Has it been eating yet, and what have you offered it?

[Turtle Cutties]

We'll I can do anything if it comes to my pets
I bought a heater and a UVB light already I also bought a filter and a basking area for now
I'm probably going to pet smart tomorrow so I could see the vet and buy this little one some treatments
Ived had him/her for about 2 days now and yes he has been eating and he seems to be doing well
I'm going to buy him/her a 100 gallon tank in a few months I hope I'm taking good care for my little one and hope he/she will get better
If I need anything else just tell me

[steve]

We can help guide you into making the best choices for your turtle. Just give the forum a search or feel free to ask questions. Try to avoid most turtle-specific products as they are either overpriced or not useful. I'd keep an eye out for used 90 or 100 gallon tanks... they usually just need a little clean up and will save you a lot of money.

[Turtle Cutties]

Thanks for your help
Ok I wanted to ask something I went to pet smart today and they told me that turtles need water conditioner so I bought reptoSafe it makes tap water safe for reptiles like aquatic turtles, aquatic frogs, hermit crab ect. It also helps with pH and ammonia is this safe for my turtle?

[steve]

To condition the water, use some activated carbon instead. It's much safer for your turtle. Most filters can utilize bagged carbon or carbon in a cartridge.