Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I was thinking about getting perhaps a young painted turtle to accompany my other turtle (a red eared slider, about 4" from tail side of shell to head side).
I have a relatively large tank, about 20 or so gallons (I can't remember precisely). I run an Aquaclear filter and have a large cork basking spot. The tank is located right beside a window, so they get quite a lot of sunlight.

Now, under these conditions, would I be able to keep a young painted turtle with him? Of course, I would adapt the feeding habits and conditions to accomodate both.

But basically, would this turtle be happy? Thanks!

Im not opposed to keeping mixed species together, but Ive got to mention that a 20 gallon tank is not quite large. In fact it is quite small. I use a 20 gallon tank as the filter for my quite medium sized 120 gallon.
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It seems to be large enough for my turtle. It measures 24" x 12" x 12" which provides about 3456 cubed inches of volume for my 4 inch turtle to freely move around in.

Although, I do admire your largely built 120 gallon tank, it is built upon the resources that neither myself nor 99% of the rest of these forum members can afford.

Thanks for your help anyways, I have been able to keep 2 young sliders in this tank in the past, but will definitely upgrade once they start out growing it. My question in mind was whether or not I could keep them together without them tearing each other up.

*By the way, out of curiosity, what is it that you do for a living? You seem to have a lot of spare time, and I like your setups! Thanks

I work in a warehouse. I have no life whatsoever. I dont even have cable tv. All of my spare money for the past six months has been put into this turtle setup. I dont go to movies, I dont go to parties. My priorities are all screwed up. Thru shopping around, I found this 120 gallon tank for $220. I have built the stand and have been working on the hood for a few weeks now. If im not behind the computer, im working on my tank. I do find time to go fishing occasionally. That is my only leisure. At the end of my pay period, I have about $20 left over. Its not about being able to afford it, its about putting the comfort of those in your care above your own.

I guess my priorities are just all screwed up.

Im not saying youre not a good pet owner, I guess im just a little extreme. I havent always put so much into my turtles. I guess im just getting old.
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well, i for one am glad to hear of people trying to do the best for their animals.
I have enormous bills for my many animlas and could probbaly live a noticeably different lifestyle without them (i'd probbaly have softer hands and smell better too ; ) )
but cheap enclosures can be made. Is see no problem with that other guy getting another turtle he just needs to buy a bigger tank. Shopping around at small pet stores and looking in classifieds and garage sales often yeilds very good deals on big tanks.

I was actually considering a small stock tank until I found the good deal on this 120 gal. Those rubbermaid stock tanks arent too unattractive either. I was thinking of getting a 3x6 long tank. My DIY filter would still work on that too. But I do have some pretty cool fish in my tank, and all glass really accents them as well as the underwater environment. And then theres rubbermaid tubs which offer much more room without much cost. I will probly get another turtle someday too, but probly just another painted. After I find a home for this snapper anyway.
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you are looking to re home a snapper?
how big is it?

its about 3.5" shell length. If anyone wants it, I would be happy to give it up if I felt they could care for it. Thing is, im not shipping it, so youd have to be kansas city. Otherwise I will be putting it in one of my survey ponds. I really dont want to put it back in the polluted stream it came from.
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I don't think your priorities are screwed up (or does that mean I'm screwed up too?). When I first moved out on my own there were days I didn't eat supper cause I spent my money on snake food. And no, I didn't buy the snake not thinking about the cost of food. My best friend's brother had the apartment I moved into before me. He moved in with his girlfriend who didn't like snakes, so he just left them. There were two, a five foot albino burmese, and an 11 foot burmese. So I had two extra mouths to feed, plus my baby burmese. So I don't think you're screwed up at all. Sounds like we both have a passion for the hobby and want the best for our animals.
By the way, its been about 7 years, and unfortunately the albino died several years ago, but I still have the big one.

A twenty is way too small for two turtles near 4 inches. Its really not enough room for one turtle of 4 inches. A good rule is something like a square foot per inch of turtle or maybe ten gallons (in rectangular enclosures) per inch of turtle. If you want to keep a pair of 4 inch turtles i'd get an 80 -100 gallon.

this is to say nothing of the fact that your slider will grow to twice hois/her current size.

A twenty is a small tank by an standard.

A twenty is way too small for two turtles near 4 inches. Its really not enough room for one turtle of 4 inches. A good rule is something like a square foot per inch of turtle or maybe ten gallons (in rectangular enclosures) per inch of turtle. If you want to keep a pair of 4 inch turtles i'd get an 80 -100 gallon.

this is to say nothing of the fact that your slider will grow to twice hois/her current size.

A twenty is a small tank by any standard.

Anywho, as long as your turtles are pretty close to the same size, and you meet eaches dietary requirements, they should get along ok. I catch both species in the same ponds all the time, and see them basking together in the wild, in fact ive seen a male painted turtle courting a female slider, but then ive also seen him court a sunfish, and a rock.
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