Habitat - Indoor :: Filter/heater

[adam85491]

Hi, I just joined this site. Anyway, here is some background information. I have two small turtles, which I believe are red eared sliders. I have had one for two years and one for a year or so. They are both small and less than 2 inches wide. Now please do not tell me I am a horrible owner and discourage me because I am only fifteen and I do as much as I can for my turtles. I have never used a heater or a filter simply because I do not have a turtle tank with a side window for the filter. My tank looks like this http://www.mypetmarket.us/1-12926701-B0 ... Haven.html I have some gravel in it and a floating dock so they can get out of the water. I change the water weekly so it remains clean. I give them pellets and treats, and I recently got a mix of dried shrimp,crickets, and pellets. I also have these pudding like things and two large turtle bones that I have yet to use. The water is about three inches high and they have room to swim.

Now on to my questions. It would help if you clicked the link above to get an idea of my tank. I was looking at a little filter, but I had the impression it had to be in the water completly. The guy said it didn't at Petco, but I was at ease buying it because I didn't have 5 inches of water to set it in, remember, my turtles are small. The same problem relates to the heater. I only have three inches of water because of their size and I don't know of a turtle heater, but I do know fish heaters have to be placed in the water from the top fully. I need help with what to do because I have been upgrading their environment. I want to get a full size tank with a side window, but thats a year away.

[adam85491]

I don't have a light either because the tank is only 6 inches high and I don't have a lot of money. I just bought the floating dock and turtle bones. I would appreciate any help.

[adam85491]

I should also mention that I don't see how you can have a huge 100 gallon tank. Fish tanks are really high and I have only seen medium sized turtle tanks where you can stick the filter on the side.

[Kallistos]

You're going to want to at least move them into a 10 gallon tank. They only cost about $5 if you wait patiently. This will allow you to fill up the water almost all the way and provide them w/ a water heater and filter. A UVB light is required and can be purchased for around $20. For heat all you need is a regular house hold bulb which I'm sure you can find. Take the gravel out of the tank because the turtles can eat it and become impacted.

[adam85491]

Well, if I put them in a 20 gallon fish tank. How do I get a filter in there without having 10 inches of water for my little turtles? I have big gravel, they have small mouths, I think that might be fine. I just want to know what I can do with a fish tank, I can afford a 10 gallon tank, next year i will get at 40 gallon turtle tank, I am just confused as to how a fish tank works with the turtles. I can buy a light and a heater for fishes, my Mom and brother have it done. But the heaters and filters are in the water! they have it filled while I have only about 3 inches of water.

[adam85491]

What I have, shown here http://www.mypetmarket.us/1-12926701-B0 ... Haven.html, is the surface area of a 10 gallon tank. It is just not as high, and I don't need that much water. It is easier to set up a filter and a heater with a fish tank, but I don't see myself getting more space for my turtles.

[adam85491]

I just need help setting it up, how do you guys do it? theres no way a traditional hang over the side filter will reach my water.

[SpotsMama]

Good news!!! You really don't have to get a tank with a window in the side! People who work with aquatic turtles don't like them. The window prevents you from putting enough water in the tank and weakens the tank's structure. It's really not needed for a filter, either.

A variety of tank types are better than the ones with the side window. Glass aquariums, acrylic aquariums and plastic tubs like rubbermaid tubs are all better alternatives. The tubs like rubbermaid are great because they are inexpensive - you can get a huge one for very little cost.

There are decent filters that are completely submersible that would work in a larger setup - like a rubbermaid tub. Also, you are right on about needing to be able to submerge the water heater.

It's understandable if you can't get a big all glass aquarium setup right now but I strongly urge you to think about something larger. Your turtles love to swim and dive and they really can't if the container is too small. A bigger container is much healthier too since the toxic stuff doesn't build up so quickly. Like I said, turtles can live quite happily in a rubbermaid tub - it's cheap and sturdy and you can submerge a good filter and heater in it.

Something struck me in your description. You mentioned gravel in the tank. Gravel is very hazzardous to turtles because they eat it and it gets stuck in their stomachs and intestines and can even kill them. Also, when you take the gravel out, you'll find it ever so much easier to keep the tank clean. All sorts of yucky stuff gets trapped in the gravel and it's a real pain to try to clean.

[Kallistos]

Those specifically made turtle tanks are complete pieces of garbage, do not buy them no matter what the 2-week trained pet store employee tells you.

Your little turtles can easily withstand a full 10 gallon tank, actually, they'd love to be in one! Just put the filter on the tank just like you would with a regular tank w/ fish in it. Red Ear Sliders are semi-aquatic and can handle depths of more than 2 feet.


Basically, fill the tank up all the way and set it up like a regular fish tank. Your turtles will appreciate it greatly.

[adam85491]

Those specifically made turtle tanks are complete pieces of garbage, do not buy them no matter what the 2-week trained pet store employee tells you.

Your little turtles can easily withstand a full 10 gallon tank, actually, they'd love to be in one! Just put the filter on the tank just like you would with a regular tank w/ fish in it. Red Ear Sliders are semi-aquatic and can handle depths of more than 2 feet.


Basically, fill the tank up all the way and set it up like a regular fish tank. Your turtles will appreciate it greatly.

Haha, you made me laugh, but this was what I felt looked best. Anyway, an inch wide turtle can survive all that water, are you sure? I mean that s a long way up and I don't see how such a little guy can climb up onto the dock if he is in there. I always imagined set ups being half filled, with sticks and docks to get out of the water easily. You probably know more than me, but it just seems crazy, no offence at all.

[SpotsMama]

Adam, I saw some of your other posts after I posted mine. You really don't need to worry about the water being too deep for your little turtles. Just the opposite. In the wild they live in lakes and ponds where they love to swim and dive. The more water in the tank the better. All you need to be careful of is to make sure the turtles can't escape. Leave the water level low enough that there's no chance of them climbing out. They climb like monkeys!

Why don't you look at some of the photos in the Photo section of the forum. There are many beautiful setups there - some very large and expensive and some smaller and inexpensive. There are some very nice setups in rubbermaid tubs, too. After you've looked at the examples, then you'll make more specific questions about your setup that we can help with.

[adam85491]

It seems logical as to why a bigger turtle needs such a large tank, its just not what I have been accustomed too.

[adam85491]

Adam, I saw some of your other posts after I posted mine. You really don't need to worry about the water being too deep for your little turtles. Just the opposite. In the wild they live in lakes and ponds where they love to swim and dive. The more water in the tank the better. All you need to be careful of is to make sure the turtles can't escape. Leave the water level low enough that there's no chance of them climbing out. They climb like monkeys!

Why don't you look at some of the photos in the Photo section of the forum. There are many beautiful setups there - some very large and expensive and some smaller and inexpensive. There are some very nice setups in rubbermaid tubs, too. After you've looked at the examples, then you'll make more specific questions about your setup that we can help with.

Thanks, and I hope you guys continue to help me. It has been an experiementing thing for me over the past two years, from a rubbermaid container to a frog circular one to this reptile one. I have more water than ever before and they can swim, I just didn't know if they could survive in deep water. Can they sleep under the water, will the smaller one swim up and eat? Will a traditional heater in the corner work at 75 degrees? I will go look at the pictures now, thanks for the help.

[Biohazard]

I am also new to this forum but i have done alot of research. I strongly agree wiht what all these guys are saying. What you have to undertand is these turtles love the water. In their natural habitate the live in ponds. Ponds that are deep and vast. They are accustomed to it and prefer large amounts of water to swin in. When their born they have the instincts to swim. Its not good to have the turtles in too less of water than they need. Its cleaner and better living conditions for the turtles the bigger the tank. I understand the fact you cant afford a huge tank but as stated a rubbermaid container setup like some in the gallery are more than sufficient.

[Biohazard]

sorry for the double post but heres a nice setup in a rubber maid container wiht 2 small RES


http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4602