Habitat - Indoor :: Jamal got a new house!

[kmichael55]

I'm considering getting another baby turtle (I can get them from China Town in NYC, which is where Jamal is from) and putting another in the mix.

I would reconsider that, two is a lot more to take care of than one, especially since they probably will not get along as they get older, and you would have to separate them, and when they are fully grown, that's 2 90-120 gallon tanks, 2 UVB lights, 2 basking lamps, 2 heaters, 2 basking areas, 2 filters (large expensive filters for 120 gallon tanks!)... that's quite a lot of money

[spot_skater]

Yeah, you're right.

I read in the paper that the most recent batch of them had salmonella, or something.

James

[spot_skater]

Some new pics!
I picked up a new dock, a smaller mid-tank (height) platform, and some extra plants! What do you guys think?

[SpotsMama]

Nice! The aquarium looks like a garden! Your turtle must like it a lot.

What kind of light bulb is that?

Is there a water heater in there? I can't see it but it might be hidden.

[spot_skater]

Thanks! I think he is still getting used to it, but he seems to be having a good time hiding in the plants and stuff.

The bulb is a Zoo Med 100w Basking Spot Lamp. Only does UVA. I know I'll need to get a UVB bulb eventually, but Jamal is very healthy and has been growing at a good rate. He's barely a year old and his carapice is probably between 3.0 - 3.5." Or is that an average rate of growth?

And yes, there's a 25w stealth heater in the tank. In the second and third pics you can see it in the back right, semi-hidden by the plant.

[SpotsMama]

Jamal seems to be a pretty normal size for a one year old pet RES.

On the light, you need to get that turtle some UVB. He needs UVB to metabolize the calcium in his diet. Without it, he can eat calcium all day and it won't process and his bones and shell will become weak and deformed. This is especially important for a growing young turtle.

Until you are able to get the bulb, can you take him outside to get some sun? The sun, of course, is the world's greatest UVB producer.

[DavidY]

Gorgeous tank setup!

On a side note, please stay away from those cheap vendors selling baby turtles on the sidewalk! Do not support them in any way. What they are doing is inhumane and most of their turtles will die from the unhealthy conditions they are being raised in. Plus they do not provide the new owners with correct information so they are sending those poor babies to a slow and miserable death.

[spot_skater]

I'll take Jamal for a walk tomorrow, and let him party outside. As long as it is warm and sunny... which it probably will be! Eventually I will get a UVB bulb and deally to put above his basking spot, probably within the next month.

Also, I got him as a pet from my step-dad one random day last year. I'll keep what you said in mind, though, DavidY.

Thanks for the compliments. I'm thinking about putting one of those bubble makers in there one day, and maybe one of those cool blue light LED things for night time... What do you guys think?

James

[DavidY]

Yea, the turtles seem to enjoy playing in the bubbles. A blue LED light would probably look cool too. You probably should make sure it's not too bright though, or turn it off when you go to sleep so that it doesn't disturb the turtle's sleep.

[SpotsMama]

Yes, I think most turtles like playing in the bubbles.