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so, hello. :)
i just got a little RES today... and this is my first time caring for any reptile, so i've been wandering around the interwebben looking for tips and etc.

he was given to me randomly this morning in this tiny home:




..but i quickly decided that couldn't be any good for him, so the girlfriend and i ran out and got a 10 gallon tank, some pebbles, some food, and a floating styrofoam basking area:



here he is wandering around in it:




...i realize there is a LOT more to be done to this setup before it would be considered a nice and stable environment for him to thrive in.. [as far as a filter, lamps, heater, etc.] so i'll continue browsing through the site. i'm open to going out any getting whatever is necessary for him as soon as possible.

he also doesn't seem to be eating any of the 'ReptoMin floating food sticks' that were recommended to me, but i'm looking into other options for food at the moment.

*ALSO - i don't mean to flood the forum with a bunch of questions that have been answered over and over again.. but ANY helpful comments are welcome and much appreciated. let me know if this post belongs in a different section. :)


thanks

Welcome! Everyone here will give you great advice. I'm in the process of getting a turtle soon and this site has been very helpful.

Most people have commented that turtles they have just brought home may not eat the first few days while they get used to their new environment. Others can give you more information on this.

Read through the stickies at the beginning of each topic - they will give you ALL the information you will need to make sure your setup is correct.

Good luck with your new turtles.

Welcome to the forum.

Be sure to read through the main site. There's a lot of info there and on the forum. Then if you still have questions just post under the correct section.

Lighting (both a UVB bulb and a heat bulb), filter(rated 3x's the tank size), heater, correct basking area, correct basking temp(88-90F) and water temps(78F for hatchlings) all play a part in getting you turtle used to the habitat and thriving in a healthy environment. If you haven't done so already, I suggest getting these essentials ASAP.

One thing I'll recommend now is removing the gravel from the bottom of the tank. It's unhealthy for a turtle for a number of reasons, one being that as he grows he will try to eat it. If it doesn't pass from his system, he could get really ill. Also, substrate at the bottom of the tank traps debris that pollutes the water. You need to have very clean/ good water quality for a healthy turtle.

Keep reading and good luck!