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Hello everybody.
I am new to the turtle community. I have been living alone for the past two years and my 16 year old son decided that his Dad needed company. So for Christmas he had Santa deliver a RES to my apartment. Over that weekend, I built a new habitat inside a 30 gallon tank. Bought 3 bulb lighting and have been doing my best to make "Lucy" comfortable. So far so good.
George

Congratulations and welcome to the turtle community! Sounds like you are off to a good start with little Lucy.

Welcome to the forum! Hope Lucy and you get along well!

welcome to the forum!

thanks! just got done cleaning the tank....

So exciting! I'm kinda new, too. I have had such fun getting to know my turts. Very different personalities, as odd as that sounds!! Welcome!

It's funny, i am forever getting stuff for the tank. Yesterday bought and found more decorative rocks. She loves them. Prob is, she is very timid and shy. Are you co mingling any fish with H and L? Where is Long Beach in relation to Manhatten?

Long beach is in Nassau County--Long Island. It's a great little secret. All the neighbors know each other, everyone is friendly--and you're never the craziest on your block We have a great, lovely beach that is never ever crowded... oh wait. I better shush. I want to keep the secret!! Are you near New Hope?

I cannot stop getting tank stuff! I have mentioned on the forum, my fiance and I have actually had ... well, not arguments but... "differences" about my turtle care. I spend WAY too much time, too much money... etc. etc. but then on the other hand, I go food shopping and come home to find him crouched on the floor near the tank, leaning out the door and whispering "shh! Look! They're basking--together!" I guess I spent about $500 at first, on many things I didn't wind up needing but, also on different ramps, etc. till I found what they liked.

We bought feeder fish when we got our turts--that's what the pet store fed them exclusively (not very good). They never touched them! So we bought a few nicer ones, and slowly but surely, we have two guaramis, some dalmataion... um, fish, some mickey mouse platys, and a pleco (algae eater--yay!) We had four tetras that disappeared--while I was cleanign the tank (one of my fish is a "tetra"eater?? All the fish were in a bowl together during cleaning--NO TURTS. WEIRD.). Other than that, one goldfish on the first day I had it went, um, MIA; and the second was a bit mauled the third day (fins cut short). I'm okay with the feeder fish thing. I don't have to worry about my turt's health, as they have proven very unlikely to gorge and have too much protien via fish. But I'm SO NOT okay with buying a fish (feeder or otherwise) and putting it in a living hell each night. When that fin was shorter on day 2, and then another fin on day 3? I felt HORRIBLE. So I asked the neighbor to take the (apparently unlikable) goldfish. Other than that... I've had the others about 3-4 months, and no fish gone! I would recommend starting with feeder fish like rosie minnows. If your turt doesn't eat them, he may not be into that. Then you can try others. But really nothing too big and nothing that isn't called "tropical" and fresh. (Turned out goldfish actually preferred colder water. I had ours for a total of 3 days. I sure hope I don't die and see a giant goldfish in the sky!)

Also? The very same fiance was the one in favor of getting all these fish in the first place. And getting a second turtle. And a bigger tank. And I still get scolded for taking three hours to clean the tank on a weekend! Haw haw haw! Kinda just makes me giggle--I tell him he's jealous of turtles.

And since I am kinda new, if I'm off on the whole fish thing... anyone feel free to say so!

I did not want to put fish in there for her to eat! I was just thinking like a pleco and maybe some snails to eat the alge. I am 2 minutes from New Hope. I live on a 30 acre farm in a 2 family house where I rent. I have a house that I pay for, an X and 3 children near Doylestown PA. I originally came from Northern Jersey. Grew up in Hawthorne. Moved down here for work. My kids are older. 19, 16 and 14. I am 45 going on 15, maybe 16. I have been living here for ~ 2 yrs now. My GF wanted to get fish eventually ( when she decides to move in, not sure if and when that will happen ) but my middle son decided it was time for me to have a turtle. He has a ball python, a lizard and collects exotic bugs. He is really into biology, entomology, football and his girlfriend. My other son 14 has a pit bull mix and my just shares all our pets. My turtle is cool. In the pond where I live there are tons of them always popping their heads up. Very cool. So you know where New Hope is?

Putting fish in the turtle's tank makes the turtle very happy.

will give it a try. thanks very much.

he means it as... she is gonna eat it. Anything live you put in your tank, your turt will try to eat it.

Exactly--even if you don't want the turts to eat it, you may want to expect them to, get feeders so you aren't disappointed. If they don't eat them, maybe they won't. So far so good with me.

I went to a wedding in New Hope a few years ago, and then we went back for a weekend. Love that place! Lucky you.

A bit late but, anyway, Welcome trex!

Thanks for the welcome words CG...