Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a RES and a 55 gallon aquarium...I need ideas of how to set up her tank so that shes happiest. Can you guys please post any pics your aquariums you got so I can get an idea of how to best fix it up. Also can a RES live with a different kind of turtle? If so what kind?

First of all, get some cork bark and use it as a basking place. You can squeeze it into the aquarium and it will stay put. Then you can raise your water level pretty high, high enough to put in a good fish filter. When looking at filters, it will say on the box, "good for aquariums up to 55 gallons" don't get that one, get one that is used for aquariums over 55 gallons. Turtles are very dirty. RES can live happily with other sliders, yellow belly, red belly etc. Mud and Musk turtles do well b/c they usually stay on the bottom of the aquarium. Just don't try to put a softshell or a snapper in there with your RES. Although, I have had softshells living peacefully with other sliders, it is better to be safe than sorry, they can be quite agressive.

Thank you, I fixed up my tank today...(before I got your messege.) I put a piece of "floating wood" in and some water, not all the way. I got a small filter for now, an under water filter. I also got a underwater heater to heat up the water. Soon I will get rocks and create a better basking area for my RES. I am hoping to put a baby in the tank soon. Thank you again.
~TriPs~

That sounds good, but I'm not sure that I would go with an underground filter. It collects a lot of dirt.
I just now noticed your name, 420. My hobbies are reptiles and doin the 420 thing
Good luck with your turtles!

Yea, I got the filter and it seems to clean the water but it still looks swampy. I think I need to replace it.