General Care Discussion :: Lots of questions from a New Parent

[Turtle Love]

I have lots of questions and I'm not too sure where they all fall. So I’m going to list them and I know you all will be able to shed some light for me!

First about our babies:

How big is your turtle? Just over a 1"

How long have you had it? 2 weeks

What is the water temperature? Around 75

Are you using a water heater? No

How much water is in there? About 4" - 5" (which I know isn't high enough, I nee to get a floating basking rock.)

Are you using a water conditioner? I will purchase on pay day. But I'm currently changing the water every four days or so.

Are you using any filtration? Yes, submersible from All Living Things

What is the basking temperature? About 88

Is there a basking light? Yes I think it’s a 75 watt, can’t remember right now (I’m at work and it’s at home)

Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes

What kind is it or what is it made out of? It’s a ceramic aquarium rock thing from all living things.

Is there a UVB light? No, but I put them by the window during the day until I can purchase one.

What have you been trying to feed it? Yes, ReptoMin Floating Food Sticks

When was the last time your turtle ate? Yesterday (I feed them on my lunch break)

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 10 gallon

Is the tank near a window? Across the room

Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Nope, my room, just me



Ok my questions are as follows:

1. Do you always keep the lights on (UVB and Basking)? I read only in one place about 12 hrs on and 12 hrs off.

2. My turtles seem slightly squishy. I don’t recall if they were like this previously. The mid section of their shell is still strong but the sides and under seem soft. And last night they seemed kind of wrinkled. I haven’t noticed any white spots, but instead a brown shade (their not a green as they were when we first got them). Is that normal? I’m getting a calcium dissolving thing today. I read that may help.


3. The lady at PetsSmart told me they are too little for feeder fish, but I’ve read, here, people offer them. (she also continued to tell us how she tries to talk people out of owning RES *Turtle Hater BOOOO*) So would a couple feeder fish be ok?

4. Is it ok to handle the turtles? I read one post that they were like fish (not to be touched).

5. I’ve noticed my roommates turtles (same set-up) seem to have sores of something on their skin. One is on the head and the other is on the front legs, like around the back of the elbow, both where the shell rubs. Is that from their shell or something else?

I know I had more questions, but as I’m sitting here trying to put them down, I forget. When I think of the rest, I’ll ask.

THANKS for your time!!

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[Kallistos]

First off, putting your turtle by the window provides very little to no UVB.

I'll just list off the answers so it's easier for you to keep track.

1. The lights shouldn't be on always. 12 hours is acceptable, but I feel 8-10 hours is a little more natural.

2. Soft spots are usually a sign of no UVB or calcium. Your turtle can be fully healed if you provide them w/ the proper necessities. As turtles age they lose that vibrant green and start to get darker. Note, it shouldn't be squishy or smelly.

3. You can offer feeder fish, try rosy reds or other "bony fish" that are low in fat and high in calcium. Stay away from goldfish, they are very high in fat. The lady at Petsmart isn't a turtle hater, she just realizes that most people are not capable of properly caring for a RES. I applaude her for that.

4. Turtles aren't cuddly pets, and shouldn't be handled frequenly. That doesn't meen you can't socialize with them and let them roam with you.

5. You said your roomates turtleS have sores. This could be from aggressive bites. Or, the turtles could be overfed and their skin is rubbing on the shell.

[Turtle Love]

Oh I remember one more!!

6. When you feed them veggies, do you put that in the water as well?

[Kallistos]

6. Turtle can only eat in water. Some people, including me use cheap veggie clips, it's easier for the turtles to eat and a little cleaner (I mean less messy)

[mkoby]

You can either drop the veggies into the water or use a veggie clip. A veggie clip can be found in the fish section of the pet store. It's basically a very small chip clip or clothes pin on a suction cup. It works very will and makes it easier for your turtle to grab the veggies.

[sneakyburrito]

i agree with RESowner34, the lady at Petsmart did the right thing when she tried to convince people to not buy RES cuz these turtles arnt your everyday walk in the park like owning fish, or hamsters and other various small animals.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Make sure your next purchase is a UVB bulb because it helps the turtle's body use calcium, building a healthy shell, bright eyes, and aids in healthy shell growth. If you push your tank next to your roommate's tank, you may be able to split the cost of the UVB bulb! Make sure the basking areas are under the UVB bulb & allow 12 inches distance to your turtle so they don't get burned from too much UVB.

[Turtle Love]

Good news, payday came earlier than expected!! I went out last night and purchased the UVB bulb, calcium thingy, water treatmeant, better basking area, a veggie clip, and a couple other things! Woo Hoo!! Now my boyfriend and I are going to start plans for a better and improved home we want to set up by the summer (their home now is more to hold them over, its not very pretty). Any suggestions on the tank. I've seen there are glass and acrylic tanks. Where is the best place to purchase them? My boss has a 100 gallon tank her family used to use, we are thinking about asking her if we can buy it off of her. Seems like a whole lot for 2 babies, but eventually we will need something of that size.