Habitat - Indoor :: Turtle care

[emma]

I currently just got 3 baby 1 inch red ear slider turtles. I had them in a 10 gallon tank and I just upgraded to a 20 gallon. Do you think that is enough? I have a filter, basking dock, fake weeds for them to go in, rocks for them to climb on, little minnows in the tank for them to chase after, and i am considering getting a heater. Do you think that this is a good home for them? And for the winter in MN do you think that I should get a heater? It will be warm in my house but i don't know?.?.?.Please help!!

[untsmurf]

Okay, the general rule for turtles is 10 gallons per inch of shell. So if you have three one inch turtles, you need at least 30 gallons for them. Plus, the rule for fish is one gallon per inch of fish, so you'll have to factor that in. Make sure your rocks are not gravel. Turts can eat it and get impacted, this could lead to death if not properly handled. River rocks are okay, but not necessary (they just take up more room that the turts need to swim in). You will need a heater for the winter. Right now it is still summer, so you should be okay for right now. Get a thermometer and check the temps of the water and the basking spot. Hatchlings need their water to be 78-80 degrees and their basking spot should be about 10 degrees warmer. When they get older the water can drop 3-5 degrees. You should have both UVA and UVB light for their basking spot. If it doesn't say UVB on the box of the bulb, then it doesn't have it. Your filter should be rated for two to three times the size of the tank. So for your twenty gallon, you should have at least a forty gallon filter. Probably more since you are housing three turts together.

Keep in mind that three full grown turtles, collectively, will eventually need a tank anywhere from 300-360 gallons in size. Also, keep in mind, that most turtles as they age will start becoming territorial and showing aggression towards other turtles. So be prepared to have three separate 100-120 gallon tanks.

I think that's everything...

[SpotsMama]

Untsmurf covered it all very well. Do you have a picture of your setup? It sounds nice though a bit small for so many turtles. You're providing for exercise and cover. One of the things you'll want to do since you have so many turtles in the tank is be careful not to clutter it up with too many decorations that will take away from their swimming space. If you want feedback go ahead and post a pic.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Welcome to the group!

Wow, 3 baby turtles??? You do know how big they get, right (9-12 inches long as adults)? In the *first YEAR*, each of them can grow 3 more inches, bringing the grand total up to three FOUR INCH-long turtles. Unfortunately they don't stay small very long.

I would stick to 1-2 turtle TOPS, especially if you don't want to upgrade immediately to a minimum 50 gallon tank for the 3 of them. Once they grow bigger, and if the container is too small, they can start getting territorial & start fighting with each other for space in the tank. Yes, they can get hurt when this happens & I have witnessed it personally which is why I only have ONE turtle now (Sheba's shell is 9 inches long and she lives in a 90-gallon tank). I have my hands full with just ONE adult RES.

The territorial fighting behavior can start happening WITHIN the first year. Just be forewarned.