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new here!

PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2008 11:21 pm
by frog
hi, my name is Sara. I found my way here because i was doing research on the web about red ear sliders because my dads friend has one and he cant keep it anymore and (since i love all reptiles and own 3 leopard geckos and a bearded dragon already) asked me if i wanted it. i dont know yet if i will get it because i dont know what he will give me supply wise. depending on what he gives me i may or may not take the turtle, but i am coming here now to prepare me before hand in case i do get the turtle, which i hope i do. money is the only problem. (im not poor, just allowance isnt enough to go buy a bunch of supplies when i already have four other reptiles you know?) so i may be asking a lot of questions. i hope you dont mind.

thanks for reading!

Sara

PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2008 11:48 pm
by megcornell
Welcome! You're wise to research what keeping a turtle entails before diving in and adopting one. The initial set up and upgrades can be expensive, but after that turtles are very inexpensive. Take a look around the main site to see what a healthy RES requires. Here's a link to their basic care: http://redearslider.com/index_basic_care.html
It includes a list of start up items which is a great place to start deciding if you have the funds to support a turtle. Don't forget that there are ways to do a set up on a budget as well- things like tupperware storage bins can be used until you can find a used (or new) tank.
If you can't take the turtle here is a link of reptile rescues maybe one of them will be useful in re-homing the turtle. http://redearslider.com/links_adoptions_rescues.html

Good luck!

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:41 pm
by frog
thank you!

i have decided to take the turtle because i have had experience with different reptiles and amphibians for four years (im only 13, thats not bad) and can probably give it a better home than he can, seeing as though he is keeping it in a box right now, and i have a spare 20 gallon tank. it is only a baby, so a 20 gallon will be fine for now. i have my dad to back me up also. he says we can put it in the 20 gallon for now and worry about a bigger tank as it grows bigger. its funny, i have a different reptile forum for a bunch of different things, one for my bearded dragon, one for my leopard geckos, one for my corn snake when i had it and for when i get a new one, and one for my soon to be turtle!

well, im going to go post some questions!

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 7:54 pm
by mikee
Frog -- You will do fine. You will just have to pay attention to clean water, temps, lighting, filter and heater. That is all. You will that the turtles are a little more expensive but a lot more fun. There is a lot experience here. You just have to ask.

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:35 pm
by frog
thank you. i am very excited as this is my first turtle, and glad to say that i am not totally new at filter and water temp stuff, as my mom owns a saltwater tank that i help her with and learn a bit from. i know how to test water, and my mom has an old freshwater test kit. ( can i use that for turtles? i am not sure if there is a special or or not. sory for asking a question if im not supposed to here).

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:53 pm
by RES4ever
Welcome!!!

PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 6:13 am
by jacqui
Welcome. I can tell you will be a super turtle owner already!!

PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 11:01 am
by RESnTX
Welcome Sara. You will definately be able to use the freshwater test kit for your new turtle tank. Good luck!