Habitat - Indoor :: Can some1 post a pic of a habitat and tank for a baby RES?

[raykaielle]

I have a 15 gallon tank, I just don't know how to set it up for a baby RES.
And also, last time my RES died because it got overheated, even though the light was very moderate.

Should I switch to using a different heat source?

Please and thank you!

[Safdar]

Just put some plastic plants in there
So it can rest

Put a basking platform that is easily accesible to the baby

The water heat source should be a water heater
The basking heat source can be a regular house bulb(soft white)

Use thermometers to check the water and basking temps

[SpotsMama]

Check this out for some example of very nice setups. Most of the turtles in these habitats are little ones. Read through the habitat section, too. All the things that should be there for a grown turtle should also be there for a little one - just scaled down.

http://www.redearslider.com/habitat_gallery.html

[SpotsMama]

also, here's some info a basic setup, along with some typical costs:

http://www.redearslider.com/startup.html

[raykaielle]

holy cheese!!!!!!

thanks so much spotsmama, it's amazing information = )

[myrtletheturtle]

deleted

[Tenodera]

Whoa you might wanna fix yours up, too.

You need a UVB light, the water's gotta be higher, and you might wanna take out the gravel.

[myrtletheturtle]

I kno all this..

[xsavingsaturdayx]

RES (even hatchlings) are PERFECT swimmers and enjoy deep water. You should fill your tank all the way (without giving them a way of escape, common sense will have to do here) and provide a basking area with two lights (a UVB and UVA light) both aiming at the basking area.

Gravel is not good because turtles dont know better and end up swallowing the gravel which may cause impaction, which leads to expensive vet bills and possible death. A better substrate is a few river rocks, or sand (though it's a pain in the butt and you can end up killing your filter if you dont know what you are doing) is fine, but what I have had success with is a bare bottom tank, meaning no rocks, sand, nothing..it's easier to clean and pick up debri/poop and all other things, my turtles dont mind it and the water stays a hell of a lot cleaner.

You will have to use a water heater to maintain a water temperature of 75 - 80 degrees and have a good filter (i'd reccomend a 30 gallon filter for your tank) and purchase a thermometer to check the water and basking temperatue (the basking temp should be around 88 - 90 degrees)

However, this 15 gallon setup isnt going to last very long. I'd give it a few months until you have to get something bigger. RES, in the end require atleast a 100 gallon tank. For the next upgrade, go as big as you can

myrtletheturtle, you should look at this BTW it would be good if you were to take that picture out of your post since new people who skim through posts might get the idea that this is a correct setup, which is not but I am sure you are working on fixing that Be sure to read as much as you can and dont be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help..

[untsmurf]

Great advice xsavingsaturdayx!! I second.

[steve]

I would gradually increase the water levels and make sure there are areas where your turtle can rest.

Raykaielle, can you explain what happened to the other turtle? Was it from a basking light?

[myrtletheturtle]

how long can my hatching stay under water before coming up for air??? I raises his water level alot and I dunno he wont get on the basking thing i dont want him to run out of energy and drown!!!

[DavidY]

The turtle should be able to rest on top of the plastic plants that you have in the tank and stay under water but lift his head up to breath. That way he can rest in the water but still have his head above water if he doesn't feel like basking. Other than that, a RES can usually stay under water for 20 to 30 minutes at a time without much problem.

[myrtletheturtle]

can they fall asleep underwater>? looks like thats what might be happening

[Tenodera]

Yup! My Serra sometimes like to sleep on the heater, it keeps her warm while asleep. Every hour or so they'll swim to the surface to take a deep breath and go back to sleep.

These days Serra likes to sleep on the ramp of her basking dock with the tip of her nose sticking out.