General Care Discussion :: New Tank setup questions & pictures

[marisa]

How long does rainy season last where you are? There's absolutely no sun at all during that time?

[the_mushroom]

Marisa, during the rains (for about 3 months) there is sun (the temps around 25-30 degrees celcius..and in the summer jumps upto a frying 35 to 40 degrees.

Now that you mention so many concerns about UVB lighting, i'm going to get one for me as soon as i can. and if it's $20, then it's a little too expensive for me and i don't really have a job

I asked about the filters at the local pet store..I'm afraid the bio filters are too expensive for me to buy, but again, i'm saving up. The water seems to stay clean enough for 4 to 5 days right now.

These scutes that you talk about..tell me more.

[adam85491]

Repti-glo 5.0 compact is only $13 or less in Petsmart usually...otherwise you might have to order online- if you don't order online they are quite costly except fot the Repti glo 5.0. The only thing you can do until you get a bulb is offer real sunshine but not through a window. If there is no sunshine I'de suggest a vitamin D3 supplement...though someone may correct me if I'm wrong.

[marisa]

Look at the last pic of your two turtles, the one where one turtle is above the other. From what I see of the carapaces (the top shells) the top scutes (plates) are smaller and the seam (line between the scutes) is quite wide. Those scutes should have come off, and from the pic it's difficult to see if they will come off or have become part of the newer scute below. Can you post a closer picture of the shells dry?

As for the biofilter, if you're handy, it is possible to make your own. Do a search on DYI filters. A design that's often mentioned is the Skippy Filter www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm but you'd have to make it smaller for the tank you have (and it's not for really small tanks).

If there is sun during the rains, can you take your turtle out some of those times?

[Tenodera]

it's hard to tell from the pics but it looks like your turts may have some pyramiding going on. what and how much are you feeding them?

The're fed twice daily, turtle pellets, coriander leaves, lettuce, and occasionally fish eggs, boiled chicken etc. Thanks for pointing that out, i didn't know what pyramiding was. I'm going to keep a check on their diets from now on.

And about the filter, i'm just waiting for some money to come in, after which i'll enquire about the charcoal filters. The thing is, Turtles are illegal in the county, and people normall only have fish..I kind of rescued these turtles from somewhere and so most of the things required are not readily available too. I had to make the ramp from scratch using sheet metal and bathroom tiles.

Thanks for all that advice, shall keep you posted. I also want to thank you for the advice given during Napoleon's R.I, he's well now (He's a fighter)

Feeding twice a day is too much, even for growing hatchlings! Turtles generally should be fed once every other day. But you could feed them veggies everyday. Remember, turtles are reptiles, not mammals, they don't require a constant supply of energy to keep them going.