Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have 2 Res for about 7 months now, I got them when they were babies... Right now I have them in a 10 gallon tank, with a turtle ramp for their basing and some various things for them to hide under/play with. I am going to be getting them a larger tank within the next few days, so they have more room to move because they are growing by the second. My question is how high can I make the water level? I am afraid they wont be able to fully swim to the top. I have about 3 inches of water on the bottom of the tank is this too little? They are both about
2 1/2-3 inches long. No problems eating, I give them pellets and brocolli lettuces, lettuces and carrots. Should I give them meat? What other veggies? I love them so much, its amazing how they both have their own personalites!! Thanks everyone!

~ Jodi

You can make the water level as high as you want. RES are very strong swimmers, and they love doing it. All they need is a place to rest. When my two were seven months, They had at least eight inches. Just be careful that they have no way to get out. Those crazy turtles can do crazy things if they want to get out badly enough. I have my basking platform suspended with fishing line a little ways from all sides of the tank and several inches down (the tank is not full to the top). That way they can't stand up on their hind legs to reach the top. Some people build a frame that will sit on top the tank. Then you can fill the tank all the way because the the overhang from the frame will keep them from climbing out.

Reptomin is a great addition to any turtle diet. This provides them with protein and a small amount of calcium. In order to add a sufficient amount of calcium to your turtles' diet, break pieces of cuttlebone into the tank. You can get that at any pet store. Water plants you can add for them to nibble on are Anachris, Banna Plants, Water Lettuce, and Hianithes. Broccoli and cauliflower should be an occasional addition. Some of the best lettuce greens are collard greens, mustard greens, kale, fresh basil, and dandylion greens. Other things that can be added are green beans, cucumbers (mine didn't like them, but yours might), and snowpeas in the pod. Good occasional treats are melon, strawberries, grapes, bananas (very rare treat, but my turtles go nuts over them), and apples (also very rare).

Yep, turtles are awesome

As mentioned...just give them a place to get out of the water and rest.

My turtles had aboug 14 inches of water as hatchlings. Just remember that they live as hatchlings in the wild in rivers and ponds that are much deeper than any tank you will ever get.