Urgent Care :: Adult RES sparingly using his back legs

[PridgNYC]

As far as the sex goes, I think you might have a "she" based on the claw size in "neck fuzz" pic, and how close the cloaca is to the body in the first pic. Post some better shots of the front claws and the tail (the bottom part), and I am sure the experts here can verify male or female. If female you will eventually need a bigger tank, male, you are good to go with this one but I think you might want to upgrade your filtration for a more maintenance free living.

[leftysmoke]

I use a Fluval FX5 for my 75 gallon which is about 3/4 full (it is rated for up to 400 gallon tanks with fish) and filters about 600 gallons per hour with media. So far I haven't done any water changes as it is still cycling, but the water is still crystal clear. (it's been almost a month) Once the cycle is complete, I'll probably do 10-15% water changes once a week and filter cleanings once a month (or two or three, depending on how nasty this first one is). I have one of those python style siphons to assist with the changes, and it works well (did a few fills and changes while I was setting up the tank to get rid of fine sediment from the sand substrate)

For the top of the tank I used a standard glass aquarium top on one side and on the side with the basking platform, one of the light diffuser plastic grids (commonly called egg crate, although I have no idea why) most hardware stores should have them in the lighting section.

That's an awesome filter. I'll invest in one of those eventually. Can you post a pic of your setup? I'm intrigued to see it! Sounds like the direction I'd like to go in.

As far as the sex goes, I think you might have a "she" based on the claw size in "neck fuzz" pic, and how close the cloaca is to the body in the first pic. Post some better shots of the front claws and the tail (the bottom part), and I am sure the experts here can verify male or female. If female you will eventually need a bigger tank, male, you are good to go with this one but I think you might want to upgrade your filtration for a more maintenance free living.

Will do. Better filter is a must.

[Love of Animals]

I do 10% weekly water changes in my 55 gallon filled to the top with an ATBA. But I have a Rena XP 3 filter which is rated for a 175 gallon FISH tank. I would suggest 20% for your filter. I've never done a complete water change except when I moved and even then I kept the water in the canister so I didn't have to recycle the tank. I also use a siphon and 5 gallon buckets. It's not so bad, I get good exercise once a week. When I do the water changes I use the siphon to vacuum the sand.

[PridgNYC]

Lots of pics in my build thread http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30478, and even more in my photo gallery... http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30693

And if yours turns out to be a female, it is better to go with the bigger filter earlier rather than have to upgrade later. The nice thing about the really big filters is that they work on any size tank (flow control) and have huge media capacity and adjustable flow rates, so the work well even on smaller tanks and you can go longer between cleaning filters.

The other thing that is nice about the FX5, is that you can use whatever media you want, this is true about most canisters, but some make you buy certain precut media to fit the tray, and in some filters that is a very good idea. I am using the fluval blue medium floss and the coarse sponges that came with the filter, along with carbon, purigen and 2.5 liters of biomedia.

[leftysmoke]

Lots of pics in my build thread http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30478, and even more in my photo gallery... http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30693

And if yours turns out to be a female, it is better to go with the bigger filter earlier rather than have to upgrade later. The nice thing about the really big filters is that they work on any size tank (flow control) and have huge media capacity and adjustable flow rates, so the work well even on smaller tanks and you can go longer between cleaning filters.

The other thing that is nice about the FX5, is that you can use whatever media you want, this is true about most canisters, but some make you buy certain precut media to fit the tray, and in some filters that is a very good idea. I am using the fluval blue medium floss and the coarse sponges that came with the filter, along with carbon, purigen and 2.5 liters of biomedia.

That setup looks to be way out of my league. I wouldn't know even know where to START with all of those decorations. Charger would be in RES heaven. What are the best sands to use? What plants should I be feeding him now that he is older?

[PridgNYC]

I used pool filter sand, it is about $10 per 50 lb bag, you can get it at pool supply stores or home depot or lowes should also carry it. Many have also used play sand which is a couple dollars cheaper, but IMO it requires way too much cleaning before you can use it.

As far as the decoration, I started simple, 2 pieces of driftwood and 1 plant, over the course of the past month, I have been adding a piece at a time if I see something at the pet store that I think will look good, I buy it and try it out. The trick is to build up the decorations slowly, one or two pieces at a time, the turtle will move them around anyway, so this way you can get a good idea of what the tank looks like after he has done his rearranging before you buy something else.

So far I have just been giving him redleaf lettuce, I tried Kale, but he just spits it back out. There is a good list of suggested plants and veggies over in the feeding section. (no spinach)

[leftysmoke]

Great news to report, guys!

Charger is finally swimming properly and using his back legs! He also got up on his dock, but got right back off. Just the fact that he is being so active is a huge relief. He even has been pooping normally. It was funny, because when he started swimming today, it was almost like he had to re-learn to use his back legs. They were stationary for a moment, and then all of a sudden he's flapping them around like he should. My girlfriend was like, "YAY!!!" when he got on the dock.

Thanks again for all of the help and I plan to do a little decorating to his tank this week. Water is still crystal clear, thankfully.

[steve]

Great to hear it!

[leftysmoke]

Here's a pic of the dude on his dock (I filled the tank 3/4 of the way):

[happycamper]

Glad to hear Charger is doing better!

[leftysmoke]

Glad to hear Charger is doing better!

Thanks! Here's another pic of Charge chillin' outside: