Habitat - Indoor :: First Turtle Preperation!

[jespenguin]

Hello Everyone,

So I have not bought anything yet, just doing my research. The boyfriend wants turtles, and I currently have a empty 38 gallon aquarium. He really liked the tiny yellow bellied sliders(pretty sure thats what i read), and he wants 2. I realize that once they are huge, they are going to need a HUGE tank. But my question is when would this upgrade be necessary. I can't seem to find anything that says how quickly they grow. Are we talking months, years, I just can't seem to find much. The original plan for the tank got pitched when he discovered the turtles, but it currently has sand as it's substrate, which most of my fish tanks do so I'm prepared for the cleaning. I think I understand the basics of what I'll need, basking area (90 degrees), heated water (80ish), places to rest and poke head out, EXCELLENT filtration, specific lighting. I basically need all the advise I can get. I've read some conflicting things about fake plants, real plants. I'm still researching and it will be a couple weeks before this takes place but again, all advise is welcomed!

[sflemin2]

I only know about Red Eared Sliders but quite a few people on here seem to be turtle experts. You will hear over and over that you need 10 gallons of water for every inch of shell. The thing is with these guys is you can't tell the sex until they are bigger (like 2 years old I think). The reason I am bringing this up is because the females can get huge. I got two little cute turtles at the beach ...10 years later, one is 8 inches and the other is 9. I am buying them a 150 gallon tank today (I was assured that this was adequate by a mod). Seems like a lot of the males RES are around 5 inches or so. I swear my largest female is still growing. Everyone will tell you to only get one because they can be aggressive (and again with the size of the tank). One thing I wish I had done was hand feeding.. now mine will bite the blood out of me but I've seen plenty of posts where the RES that had been hand fed don't bite. For the plants, fake plants seem to be OK (not the fabric ones). Gravel is a No No (it can kill them if they eat it). Read up on the Sand FAQ. Hope that helps a little

[Jaysea]

It's hard to say how long any tank will last any turtle because depending on sex of the turtle (females grow much larger and faster), breed of the turtle and feeding (feeding alot of proteins will cause the turtle to grow larger faster also) each turtle grows at different rates.

The general rule for a turtle is 10 gallons per shell length. Your 38 gallon will be good til the turtle is a little over 3 inches. It's illegal to sell turtles in pet stores in the US until they are 4" shell length, so it seems your tank will be a wee bit to small to start with.

Sand is also an awesome substrate for a turtle, they like to play and dig in it and even munch on it a bit. I'd never go without sand in another turtle tank i have, mine just loves it to much to take away from her.

You might also consider just getting 1 turtle instead of 2. I bought 2 at once thinking the one would be lonely if i only got 1, but ended up having to return one of the turtles a week later because they fought. Turtles are pretty solitary animals, and once aggression starts towards eachother it wont stop and the only way to fix it is to permanently separate them. It's cute to see them as a pair but it doesn't work out very often that way. My little girl is so much happier alone.

It's great to see you doing research before you bought them, not a lot of people do. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. And welcome to the turtle community

[jespenguin]

I'm pretty sure they were labeled as yellow belly sliders? If that sounds about right, and I have read a lot about aggression so I think I'll have to convice him that one is best. As for the under 4inches, I wish I would have taken a pictures because these guys seemed tiny. I would say if I put my middle and thumb together that was about the size they were. This store must be an illegal beagle. Would it be adviseable to not buy them if they are under the 4inch mark, I didnt have a ruler on me or anything, but they did seem to be wee little things.

[UpTheStox]

I know it's illegal, but I've seen quarter sized YBS at a lot of pet stores in my area.

[Jaysea]

If they are selling them that small there is nothing saying you can't buy them. The 4" rule came about after the salmonella scares in the 70s when people were letting their children play with quarter sized turtles and then the kids would put their hands in their mouths and sometimes the turtles in there, because kids do strange things. So they made the law that they had to be 4" to sell. You can't get in trouble for purchasing them if that's what your worried about.

I've also seen a few in my area that were definitely smaller then that, and i've seen eastern painted turtles being sold in my area, which is illegal in the state of PA since they are native species. Pet stores will try to get away with whatever they can.

And yes, there is a species known as yellow belly sliders (scientific name Trachemys scripta scripta)...they are just like red eared sliders, without the red ears. They have the same habitat and health needs as red eared sliders, so everything you read on this site will be true for yellow bellied sliders as well.

[UpTheStox]

I've read that RES and YES can cross-breed and cohabitate.

[jespenguin]

So he really likes the idea of 2. But I'm afraid of the possible aggression, could it be lessened by providing adequate space like with fish, or would 2 tanks be optimal. Also, I've read different species are more docile, would going that route be safer.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

So he really likes the idea of 2. But I'm afraid of the possible aggression, could it be lessened by providing adequate space like with fish, or would 2 tanks be optimal. Also, I've read different species are more docile, would going that route be safer.

Oh yes going witha different turtle species is a much better idea, less agressive, and going with a species that stays smaller meaning you wont need to spend the big $ for a big tank in the future or spend the big money on a big tank and then you can get more then just 2 turtles.

[jespenguin]

And those species would be:) lol

[Diamondbacks4Life]

And those species would be:) lol

Hmm, you will have to google what they look like but here is a list of some that are smaller species, with average size 6inches or smaller. My personal pick is a southern painted turtle, they stall at 4-5inches and are nice and colorful and price is low.

Southern Painted Turtle
Eastern Painted Turtle
Pretty much any mud and musk turtle species
Spotted Turtles(expensive though)
Also there is map turtle, forget which one but it stays small too, but again up there in price I believe.

[jespenguin]

I did google it, oddly enough RES and YBS came up, so they must be small in comparison to say 3ft long turtles? lol I'm pretty limited on access to species, but I think painted turtles are an option, and someone was craigslisting their mississippi mud turtle so they have to be around somewhere. I also have been reading a lot about stock ponds, and found I can get a 110 gallon for 49.99. So indoor pond here I come, it's a good thing I live in some hood apartments that don't give a s***, cause the 1 dog, 3 cats, rabbit, 55,38&5 gallon tanks might come to a shock for them. So now I'm on to indoor pond research:) I dont think my animals would intentially harm the turtles, but the pond may be seen as a potential drinking fountain.

[richieboy]

I don't know if it's good to have cats and dogs being able to drink from the water. My turtle makes big poops that and they might cross contaminate each other. I'm not sure about this. I would just be careful if they have easy access to it.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

I did google it, oddly enough RES and YBS came up, so they must be small in comparison to say 3ft long turtles? lol I'm pretty limited on access to species.

Res are a medium size turtle yes they would be smaller in comparison to larger turtle but still they are about double the size of the turtles i listed. Hmm you ever consider ordering a turtle offline? Shipping costs about $25-$50 though but then you can buy any turtle.

[richieboy]

Aren't DB's smaller than RES's and less aggressive? Expensive and more specialized care though..