Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 questions bout my RES:
1. is it ok to have sand on the tank bottom? in a book I have on keeping turtles it says that it's ok, but I have heard that turtles eat it and can get sick and even die. Should I take it out?
2. I've been feeding him mostly pelletes & gammarus. I plan to improve on this. I've noticed that his shell is a little bumpy compared to some pictures I've seen, nothing monstrous but still... Could it be due to poor diet and will it improve when I start to feed him better?

Thank you

I don't think they can get sick from eating the sand, but it does tend to get messy, I know my guys would be constantly stirring it up and getting the filter clogged. Your turtles shell problems are probably due to too much protein, he should get greens everyday and pellets every other day, a very small amount.
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