Reptile & Amphibian Forums

we are going to get 2 new juvenile turtles tomorrow. 2 days ago we bought a 40 gallon tank, and rocks and filters, basking area and lights......Filled it with about 20 gallons of water.
The water is sitting at about 75 degrees and we also added some of the special turtle water conditioner.
Today we added 7 guppy feeder fish to help condition the water (and make sure the water is fine before adding the turtles)
Tomorrow turtles come home.

Now, we would like to add some aquatic plants to the tank but we are not sure what kind to get. Most of what I have read says it is okay to add plants.

Are turtles really as messy as they say? Would feeding them in a seperate tank be advisable? What is the best way to drain 30 gallons of water every few weeks?

Also, I noticed that some people use the stock water tanks to house turtles. We just happen to have one, it is a black/gray rubbermaid-hardsided 100gallon tank with a narrower bottom and gets wider at the top. Would this be good for a summer tank for outside? Will I need a heater in this tank to maintain a 75 degree water temp? The summer temps here can get HOT but can be cold too and we dont want to freeze those babies.

Thanks for taking the time to help a newbie.

Tammy

Picture pre turltles....any advice??

What turtles you getting? Looks a nice start set up but them stones will hold a lot of dirt and after you seen how long it takes to clean them you might want to try a bare glass bottom but see how you go! By the way your new turtles will try and eat the guppies!!! I have 3 out of 5 guppies remaining!!! i have my temp at 79 for my map and yellow belly! try and put some fake plants in as mine love to hid and mess around in them. But another thing to clean.
Andy

Thanks, we are getting some red eared sliders.
I know they will eat the fish, we are okay with that. In fact they are snacking on some at the pet store so we go them as feeder fish.

the other poster is right - the big stones do make it harder to clean since they trap waste, excess food, etc..down there. But they make the tank look so much nicer and make it seem more natural that IMHO it's worth the little bit of extra work!

I highly recommened the Python hose system for cleaning. I use it on my 55g turtle tank as well as all my fish tanks. I would never go back!
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1.0.0 Thoroughbred
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Crested Gecko
1.2.0 German Shepherds
1.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Cockatiel and Conure)
1.1.0 Rabbits
0.0.2 Yellow bellied sliders
3 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

Thank you, I do like the natural look and I am stiving for that.
What is the Python Hose system? It sounds great. Where can I get it?

http://petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=3688&PC=productlist&Nav=225&N=24 135&sku=78115&familyID=2762&

They are WELL worth the price!
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1.0.0 Thoroughbred
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Crested Gecko
1.2.0 German Shepherds
1.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Cockatiel and Conure)
1.1.0 Rabbits
0.0.2 Yellow bellied sliders
3 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

you need to cut, copy, and then delete the space between the 4 and the number that follows it.

See how it's broken up into two lines in the post? When you cut/copy, it creates a gap. If you don't get rid of the gap, the link won't work.

Otherwise just google "Python No Spill Clean and Fill."
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1.0.0 Thoroughbred
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Crested Gecko
1.2.0 German Shepherds
1.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Cockatiel and Conure)
1.1.0 Rabbits
0.0.2 Yellow bellied sliders
3 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

I bought one, I love it!!! Thank you for the recommendation