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We have a 48 X 18 X 20 inch tank and our turtle is only 2 inches. Would it be bad for him/her if we filled it up most of the way? I mean what do they do when not captive when they live in ponds and lakes, do they swim in deep water or do they instinctively stay in a shallow area? I don't want to cause it to die of exhaustion or anything.

He'll be fine. You might want to add a platform where he can rest, I recall people using an upside down soap dish w/suction cups.

I have the large turtle log that floats, do you mean something that goes down in the water so he can climb up instead of swim up sometimes?

Probably some kind of platform where he doesn't have to get out of the water, but can rest his feet on and stick his nose out of the water when he's tired of swimming. My turtle will rest, his feet on the water heater, or on the log sculpture in his tank and stick his nose out. Most of the time when he's tired he will just float.

Yup, that's what I was thinking Tinky'sMom. Even my big girl has an easy time staying afloat when she wants too.

Plastic plants with weighted bottoms work as well. As long as they have something they can anchor themselves to near the surface, and a basking area that is climbable, they'll be fine. Mine has no problem getting onto floating basking areas when he wants as long as it is big enough. (it needs to be at least twice his size, otherwise he sinks it)

You can buy floating docks at pet stores they work just fine for small turtles.

My turt was 2.5" when I got him a floating dock (medium size) and he still has plenty of room at 3.5". Sometimes they need a step up, but usually they're perfectly capable of figuring out how to pull themselves up regardless of water level. These guys are great swimmers, so I don't think the water is too deep. Smart of you to buy a larger tank with room to grow.