General Care Discussion :: More Turtles = Bigger Tank. . . Right?

[Peat-a-peat]

Hi all, Peat-a-peat here!

I have the opportunity to get either one or two more turtles to go with my current red eared slider, Speck. I have posted all about him and his current tank setup in the Welcome forum under the title of "New here!", so please read that description before continuing in reading this.

These new turtles would be about 1", while Speck is nearly 2.5". I was wondering several things about this matchup.

a) Size. Speck would be about twice as big as these, as an inch longer. Although they are still very small. I'm am trying to decide if he will bother them or not, especially if I. . .

b) Get a larger tank. Since the current one is 20 gallons long I will need to be upgrading soon anyways, particularly by the 26th of January as Petco is having their great deal of $1 for 1 gallon. I have compared the 29 gal, 40, and 55 gallon tanks to purchase and decided that the 40 gallon is best in the way of a lot more room, but not too much like the 55 gal (which is actually the same length, just taller and maybe wider). I don't REALLY want to get a new, bigger tank just yet unless it is absolutely mandatory. Along with a new tank though I would also supply more hiding spots, such as a plastic cup or another plant perhaps.

c) I am hesitant to get this 40 gallon glass aquarium because I am trying to consider long-term. I have an outdoor preformed pond of approximately 90 gallons, but I do not want to keep another turtle outside ever again if necessary, due to the fact that I have had some that. . . disappeared, out there. So I have looked in to indoor ponds. The only thing is they require a lot of hard word, and a lot of floor space - which is something I really don't have right now. I do have a 46" desk space which I was going to plsce the 48" new 40 gal tank should I decide to buy it and just let the 2" overhang be.

So please share your thoughts and suggestions with me here, preferably by Saturday - the day I have to decide. Even more preferably sometime today/early tomorrow.

Thanks!


Peat

[steve]

The size difference isn't too bad. Any additional turtle you get might eventually need to be separated. So it's possible 3 turtles will need 3 tanks (and their own filters, heaters, lighting, etc). Adult males especially might be aggressive and there is little choice but separation. If you're thinking long-term, then you will need space to deal with them. If that's something you don't have, then I would pass.

[Peat-a-peat]

The size difference isn't too bad. Any additional turtle you get might eventually need to be separated. So it's possible 3 turtles will need 3 tanks (and their own filters, heaters, lighting, etc). Adult males especially might be aggressive and there is little choice but separation. If you're thinking long-term, then you will need space to deal with them. If that's something you don't have, then I would pass.

Okay. I know an inch really isn't a difference between a 7 and 6inch pair but I was a bit leary of putting one half the size of Speck in the same tank. Thank you for pointing the details out about long-term - I completely understand.

I have decided that I will most-likely look into getting the 40 gallon aquarium from Petco tomorrow. Along with that, I will be trying to keep as much original stuff as possible: the lights, the basking log, the plant. . . probably add either another plant or a plastic cup or something. . . probably buy a backdrop and a thermometer while I am there. . . what I am concerned about is the filter, the Tetra Decorative ReptoFilter, which states on the box it is suitable for up to 55 gallons. Since I have a 20 gal. tank now and plan on doubling that and purchasing the 40 gal., this filter will still be okay, just not AS efficient, correct? Maybe even still just as efficient? Also I was concerned more about the water heater. I did check the package and it is the Tetra HT-30, which is suitable for 10-30 gallons, per the instructions. Since I do not plan on filling the new tank much more than half full, this will be okay still, correct?


Thanks,
Peat

[steve]

I'd figure the hatchling will grow a bit more quickly than the other and probably catch up but you will still need to keep a close eye on everything. You will need a much better filter however. Do you currently have the ReptoFilter?

[Peat-a-peat]

I'd figure the hatchling will grow a bit more quickly than the other and probably catch up but you will still need to keep a close eye on everything. You will need a much better filter however. Do you currently have the ReptoFilter?

Will do.

Yes, this is the filter I just got for Christmas:
http://m.petco.com/product/102525/Tetra ... rtles.aspx

It says it will clean up to 55 gallons. If I keep the water level halfway and continue to do my 50% weekly water changes, will I still be in the green?


Thanks,
Peat

[devilduck]

I don't think that filter will be good long term for one turtle much less two. When shopping for filters I usually look for something at least 3 times larger than the printed gallon rating. Those gallon rating are more gears toward fish and don't account for the waste produced by turtles.

[Peat-a-peat]

I don't think that filter will be good long term for one turtle much less two. When shopping for filters I usually look for something at least 3 times larger than the printed gallon rating. Those gallon rating are more gears toward fish and don't account for the waste produced by turtles.

True that it is printed 55 gal and turtles create more waste than fish, it states that it's for turtles and other animals such as it, so wouldn't that be more geared towards efficiency in cleaning after turtles? Plus it is not a completely full 40 gallons, it's about a quarter/half inch over half full.

Also I did decide to go ahead and get a 40 gal. breeder. My Petco has never heard of a 40 long, unfortunately, so I now own a 40B. Speck is happy in it now! I did have to elevate the filter and log using carefully-cleaned rocks, however, so that I could fill the water level higher. It looks so huge compared to the 20L!

Peat