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So my daughter has been BEGGING me for a turtle for months, I've always wanted a turtle myself so I finally said, okay why not (especially with convincing my fiances parents of allowing it since we're living here until we're on our feet again) . My original plan was to get a land turtle , but we found a deal that we just couldn't pass and when I saw these pitiful looking turtles I knew that they would be perfect. This woman sold us two RES , with the tank and the filter/basking stand for $100 I thought it was a steal, little did I know what I was up against. The tank is 60 gallons, one turtle is a heffer, now I know before I get jumped on that she will require a bigger tank, I've already discussed this with my fiances parents , the other turtle is still kind of small not really a baby not but huge. The tank was in HORRIBLE condition when I received it, I scrubbed and scrubbed it clean and added new water and cleaned it all, they seemed so happy but my concerns aren't over yet. They're both shedding, they can't get to their dock to bask and no matter how hard I try it just wont work, I have the aqueon rock basking filter thing? I hate it, with my entire heart. It's garbage , the stairs are so narrow and it's not even filtering the tank right, the tank is already cloudy, now I have a filter for 75 gallons when I had a piranha but it's 3 hours away at my mothers , so I'm trying to best I can with what I have, I live an hour away from pet stores and walmart (it's a struggle) . So if anyone has any suggestions on how to make my own filter until I can get mine I'm up to hear it, also on how to make a basking log because they NEED to bask I feel so horrible and they look so sad cos they sit there and try to climb that stupid rock thing and just fall, if I set them up they fly down . Now when I first got them the woman said that the big one (who I've named Belle) will open her mouth but wont bite, she did for the first few days, but I sat by the tank all day long and talked to them and when I picked her up I had no issues at all she let me hold her and let me check her out, the little one (who I've named Troy) is just too adorable for words he lets me handle him when I move him or look at him but tonight was the worst of them all, I looked at saw Belle had ahold of Troy's foot and wouldn't let go, I quickly reacted and grabbed her , I know I probably scared her but I didn't know what else to do, she RIPPED troy's nail off, he was bleeding. I know I'll have to separate them but I have only 1 basking light & 1 UVB bulb. I have another tank but it's a 10 gallon, I mean would it be fine for Troy for now ? I plan on getting my 20 gallon hexagon tank from my mother and set it up for him. My next question (sorry this is so long but I'm so clueless when it comes to RES, these are my first) . I have pond rocks in the tank. I hate them , I don't like them at ALL , can I use sand ? I have play sand from walmart, can I rinse it and use that instead ? I just can't see how that's comfortable on their little legs, also Belle has like , kind of saggy skin on where her legs go into her shell ? It scares me because I don't know this is normal or not , and their shedding worries me . Belle has seemed so sluggish today she kind of sleeps a lot towards the evening/night ? She eats really good , I give them grapes as treats & she seems to get so excited they don't even hide in their shell when I go to set the grapes on their log. Their shells also concern me with some goldish spots? I'd really love some help from some experts, I'll just be honest it's pretty clear these turtles were neglected and I want to make sure they have the best life possible. I adore them to pieces and my daughter is beyond thrilled that she has turtles , I don't want to see them suffering so I want to make sure I can try everything possible to make them happy.

Welcome to the forum!

Seems like the hardest part now is that you have to keep them separated, you can skip the UVB for a few days. You might have to consider stock tanks, preformed ponds, storage containers, etc instead of a glass aquarium. Can you post a picture of the basking area? I'm not sure you can make your own filter easily without having an aquarium pump or powerhead. If the turtles poop right after eating, you might be able to feed them out of the tank or scoop up their waste right after. Do they have a heater?

They seem to poop when no one is watching lol , I've tried looking up ways to make some type of filter but my mom is going to send me my old one I had and try to bring the aquarium , today there hasn't seem to be any aggression which I know won't last too long , they do have a heater

http://i62.tinypic.com/2hf86xt.jpg here is a picture of their basking area , as I said before they can't get to it , I've tried everything . the filter has a fill line and they woman said not to pass it or it'll break , IMO the junk is already broke

Check out this thread for an example of a very inexpensive basking platform: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=34081&hilit=pvc
If your in wine country you can also use a round of raw cork bark wedged in the tank.

The best deals on filter/media/heaters are found online. Check out ebay for SUN SUN or Odyssea branded filters in the 250+gph range.

I will have to get back with you as I'm not done reading your post yet! lol This might take some time. Omg! That's the longest post in 2 years. Sorry I was working outside in 100+ heat today. And I'm beat. I just thought that's one heck of a thread! Your in good hands here. So listen to the ones that replied. They know!!

LOL sorry ! I wanted to be sure I got everything I could think of down ! I should add that today my heater caught on fire so I had to do a Walmart run and I got a new heater , and the 3 in one food . I redid their tank today so I will try to get some pictures to show , it took 3 hours since I have no vacuum right now , I'm so unprepared lol , I added a bubbler since they seem to love to play in it and its helping some of their skin off ? I also read where some say a soft tooth brush will help , but their skin shedding concerns me so much , I scrubbed the tank and its already filled with skin , I felt like throwing myself down my stairs . hoping to have my filter soon maybe it'll help with the skin flaking to keep it clear , I read where you can take your RES outside for a bit ? Wanted to be sure on that , maybe tomorrow if its sunny I'll take them out to get some sun .

Sun is great for turtles. Just not too long if its real hot. And keep an eye on it.

I was going to try to build a pen , since fall is rapidly coming where I live the weather has been near the 70s sometimes 80s if mother nature loves us

That's nice weather. 100 and humid here. Not looking forward to work today but it is Friday!

Whoa, what happened to the heater?

I'm an idiot and forgot to unplug it and the entire bottom half busted and the wires got wet causing the cotton to fire up ;__; , I felt stupid after realizing what happened thankfully the turtles were out of the tank and I got it in time , 70 is nice but its so rainy now , I can barely handle 85 I would probably die at 100 degree humid weather .

I came in my den this morning and saw the turtles finally basking ! Was excited , will this help their skin problems ? My biggins neck seems just hopeless with peeling , my little ones legs are peeling bad . I can't find much info on the peeling matter

What is the water temp?

Between 78-82 , I'm watching them now my little one doesn't seem to be peeling as much but my big one is peeling a ton and that saggy skin by her but still worries me

The saggy skin might be from being a bit hefty.