Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does anyone have any helpful tips on whether i should get a map turtle or a res. also what is the minimum size tank that i would need for 2 turtles of the same species.

for 2 res you would need a huge pond. they are very big turtles and very active. maps are smaller and you can keep them in a 55gal tank or a big rubbermade type thing. maps are real picky about water quality. get a really good canister filter.

One more point that should be made is the MALE maps are very small turtles. females can get as big as medium to average sized female slider (10 inches). I have two male maps that 3.75 and 4 inches SCL. They are really cute and fun and get along very well with each other.

Sliders are and I really love all of mine BUT to be honest 55 gallon tank for a male is (which stays smaller than the females) is even pushing it. ONE could live in a tank that size but it really is better to go a bit larger.

i am pretty low on $ for a filter so what type and brand will give me alot of performance for cheap for a 55 gallon tank with 2 map turtles

just change the water twice a week until you can save up to buy an "Aquaclear 500" by Hagen.
drfosters and smith and big al's online have them for 27 - 35 dollars all the time. Don't buy one it a pet store where you can pay 55 - 95 dollars for it; and don't pay more than 40 online.

aquaclear for 30 bucks online

I have some that have been running for several years.
Great mechanical filtration.
when you get it, just fill it with sponges.
forgett the "bio media"
and rinse the filter media often.
Then do a 50 percent water change weekly and the water should be fine unless you seriously over-feed.
Water chnages are always better than filtration anyway unless you have an amazing biofilter (many people think they do, but usually they don't)

how would i get that to work in a tank filled halfway with water? also would i have to build a rock formation up to it so i dont have to deal with the noise of the falling water. wouldnt an internal of canister filter work better? they can be expensive but i dont see how a hang on filter is going to work.

I right now have two of those hang on the tank filters running - they are both made for a 40 gallon tank but I have a slightly smaller tank and have it half full.... the tubes that drop down in to the tank must be air tight so the filter can suck up water with out getting air and losing its prime.

I am currently trying to switch to a larger tank - maybe a 90-100 gallon - if I do this I am going to buy a Ehiem cannister filter

BTW - the hang on the side filters are noisy with water constantyl splashing... my walls near the tank are getting ruined by the drops of water that fly out

these issues are preventable.
you just need some creativity and a few bucks for some lucite and aquarium sealant.
you can make a back splash to reduce the noise and escape of water (though this redeuces oxygen into the tank)
and the extensions do NOT need to be air tight as long as the place whee the coupling occurs is covered by the water.

but again this shouldn't be a problem for anyone keeping maps as they will want the deepest water they can get.

Why the deepest water for a map?

they come with extension tubes and you can also go buy plastic tubing that fits (the intake tubes are all standard one inch)it reduces the power some but for maps you will want the tank almost filled anyway.
they are nervous and dive quickly and deeply so the deeper the water the less likely they are to get hurt crashing inot solid objects or the side/bottom of the tank

If you think your filter is noisy, you should hear mine.
Also, Im a firm believer that everyone should fill their tanks all the way up.

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what is that filter set up?????

i got the money and bought a aquaclear 50 gallon HOB power filter. btw the tank is a 3/4 filled 20 gallon long