Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My turtles love to swim. As much exercise as they get swimming I can't imagine that they will ever be over weight. They are the size of a quarter and have 50 some odd gallons and a waterfall to play in. I keep it just low enough so that they can't get out. When they aren't basking they are swimming and playing in the waterfall. At first the current surprised them, but now they love it. All the set-ups I have seen the water is half full or even less. Why? Thanks, Julene

This probably has to do with two factors, from what I gather. One is that some pet shops and people want to cut back on smell and odor. They don't use filters so the water in time reeks. The other is that they might like the aesthetics of it all. Some think shallow water is more appealing.

This is just my opinion. But I've seen petshops here in Korea where adult turtles are kept in two inches of water. Maybe this all just stemns from ignorance, albeit younger turtles, or hatchlings, should be kept in shallower water. Think to watch out for is if the turtle is too large and the water too shallow, it could flip over on its back land drown.

I think some people are concerned that young turtles will drown if the water is too deep and just gradually make it deeper. It's not really necessary, even hatchling turtles are excellent swimmers and enjoy very deep water. Looking at my tank, it is just about 3/4 full, can't make it any fuller or the turtles can climb off the basking area. If the basking area is in the tank, it has to be low enough that they can't escape.

That is how mine is also, just enough so that they can't climb out, but can still get on the basking spot. They are very good swimmers and fast, I try to sneak up on them, it's impossible.

o...hey, i wanna know how to get that waterfall type of scenery, i want to give my turtles that type of luxury once i get the money

I built them an indoor pond, it wasn't that expensive, the filter and pump where the most expensive. But there are people who make their own filters, so that is always an option. I bought a performed pond, like you would normally put in the ground, built a frame around it. I don't think I have $300 into everything, it was much cheaper then a big aquarium.

N/P

I don't have a picture right now, but I do have access to a digital camera. I will try to get it and post a picture.

Thanks. I am moving into a bigger home and am going to dedicate a room for my RES (THE TURTLE ROOM) and your picture will be very helpful. Thanks and God Bless.
Deejay

Im sure everyone has seen my tank by now, but I am a believer in filling it up all the way. This is my 120 gallon.

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Question, how often do you have to clean that aquarium completely? I'm looking for a cheap, easy to maintain closure for my turtle. He's almost 4 inches. What size would you recommend ? The one I have currently I have to clean out every 2 weeks. I wouldn't want to do that for a huge aquarium. My friend said he would build me one, but he also said it would probably be cheaper to buy an aquarium. But I might just get him to build something like you have for the lid, so there's as much water as possible. Thanks.

I wouldnt know much about cheap but easy to maintain is what I have. I have excellent mechanical and biological filtration, and only do partial water changes about once a month with the python. I built my own filter which was a lot of work and quite expensive, but it cycles the water 10 times per hour. The link below details the filter I made. It has gone thru some changes since then, but its basically the same idea.
My home built filter

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Maybe because they'll jump out the tank? LOL

I have adult RESs and I keep the tank water about 4-5 inches away from the max top.. I mean if I put it anyhigher I'd have to make something out of wood just so they wouldn't escape