General Care Discussion :: turtle growth relative to tank size?

[ellman605]

enough fighting, everyone needs to stop, we are here to help people, not to fight

[Tatakiran]

I'm just using a 1 gallon tank for my two sliders ,is it ok for them

[litefoot]

What size are they?
This is just me and what I do. I'm on a very fixed income ,retired! I can not keep up with all the upgrades that will happen in time , the cost! I have found it cheaper to setup one tank for the adult size it will get. That is if you can bite the bullet today. Turtles are not a cheap pet. There are ways to save money on a correct habitat. I use 150 gallon Rubbermaid horse tubs even for ONE baby RES just with 2"-3" of water and as it grows add water. A good 150 gallon glass tank can cost $500 compared to a Rubbermaid horse tub at $80 and will last a life time. Sliders are great swimmers and love it as much as basking. By the time it would be 2"-3" I have them in 25" of water and they love it. I have plenty of resting areas if ever needed. I know I would not be happy living in a small closet. The way sliders grow ... fast! I am in this for the long haul , my Piggley is in my will but My daughter already said she will care for him when I'm gone. They live a long time when happy and healthy! If very small babies I would at least to me have them in 10 gallon with 2" of water and that would give you some time until next upgrade. Today a 20 gallon long would buy you more time and only cost a little more than a 10 gallon when on sale. Could always buy used. Adjust the water as they grow. A final upgrade will not come until you know there sex's. This is my way that works for me! Doing this since 1961 and love it ! Could work for others , it's your call.
You are making an animal live in a captive environment , it's your reasonability to make it happy and healthy.

[SeaTurtleGirl72]

I'm only going to respond to the facts that I know due to having to Res turtles both from the same hatch but growing totally two different speeds, I had named him Harold and Gabby not knowing the sex ( i'm pretty sure now that Harold is Gabby and Gabby is Harold ). Harold ended up growing triple the size of Gabby did by six months old, I had them both in a 10 gallon aquarium together unfortunately Harold continued to grow fast so he was adopted out to a wonderful family with a great Pond and Gabby is still remaining at about 2-2 1/2 inches in shell length and seems to be holding that size now that she's seven months .. in my opinion I don't think the size of the tank matters, I think it's true when they say all turtles grow different sizes' just like we as humans grow to be different heights and weights. Just my thoughts of course