Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 3 yr. old RES, still not sure if it's a male or female. Just bought a 30 gallon tank for more living space. I have no other creatures in this tank, and whenever I walk by, Tommy the RES gets very excited. He paddles to the surface, sticks his head out, swims frantically, and follows my hand as I move it across the tank. Should I consider getting another RES or fish or snail or something to keep it occupied? I put a child's small "toy turtle" tank next to the tank that has other (fake) fish swimming around to give it something to look at, since there's really no one in the room until the evening. I know it sounds crazy, but at least it gives him something to look at during the day. Thanks!

Don't put anything in your turtles tank that you don't want it to eat. You could toss some guppies or rosie reds in the tank for your turtle to chase and he will liklely eat them. If not right away, eventually. I would not recommend getting another turtle just for a companion. Turtles do not need or desire companionship. In fact, they view other turtles as competition for food and will likely fight. You do not mention the size of your turtle but the general recommendation is that you provide at least 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle. So, if your turtle is larger than three inches you are already out of space and should not add another turtle to that tank.

Good luck! Nancy

ack..i just wrote this and my comp deleted it somehow...heres basically what i said, lol...
my res do the same thing and there are two in the tank. They are just natural born begger and probably associate you with food. You're tanks not big enough to get another turt and he would prob eat the fish but at least he would have fun chasing it. If you're really concerned about your little guy being bored...i got mine a bubble wall and they LOVE it. They dive through it and sit on it a lot letting the bubble hit them. My one dives off his dock and through the bubble wall repeatedly. SOunds funny but it's really adorable and fun to watch. He's having a grand time too from what i can tell...lol
walnut
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1 Dog- Mollianna Mae
1 Cat- Macey Montana
2 Red Eared Sliders- Gator and No-No
2 Beta- Swamp and Swims
4 Fish- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

What kind of bubble wall u got? I got a bubble tube and my turtle goes nuts trying to eat the whole thing. probably thinking its a worm. i cant even leave it unsupervised because i keep thinking shes gonna choke on it.

The bubble wand I have is a very narrow, slim tube. It comes in a variety of lengths, I have the short stick (like 4" long). It creates very tiny air bubbles, as opposed to some bubble wands that are wider and create larger bubbles. I really like this bubble wand, it's perfect for a 30 gallon tank and a 3" turtle, gives just enough air bubbles for the tank, and my turtle seems to enjoy it. I'll try and get the name of it for you.

I actually have a air stone...it's not the tube kind. It's heavier so you don't have to weigh it down as much and the turts don't try to attack it at all. You can cover it with stones and the air still comes through too. I have tried both and REALLY like the airstone a LOT better.
walnut
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1 Dog- Mollianna Mae
1 Cat- Macey Montana
2 Red Eared Sliders- Gator and No-No
2 Beta- Swamp and Swims
4 Fish- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Thats a great idea...to cover the air bubble thing with stones. My turtle would try to eat the stones too. Shes really nuts. I dont have any rocks in her tank now because last time she went straight to it and i thought she was gonna choke and die. I have a new problem with my tank at the moment. My tank leaks when I put a certain amount of water in it. I silliconed it twice already and when I fill it up a little more then half way it leaks. Do you think larger stones (that she cant swallow) would keep the water from leaking. I want to make her more room to swim.

~TriPs~

1 Chihuahua (M)
1 Parakeet (M)
1 Dwarf Hamster (F)
1 Wild Red eared Slider (F)
1 Emperor Scorpion (F)

if you have a leak i don't think putting stones in the tank will stop it...i think ideally you need to figure out what part is leaking...you can silicone all day but unless you silicone the right spot you're really just playing with plastic

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~walnut~
Turtle Pics
1 Dog- Mollianna Mae
1 Cat- Macey Montana
2 Red Eared Sliders- Gator and No-No
2 Beta- Swamp and Swims
4 Fish- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Tommy, my turtle, is almost 3 inches in length. I can't believe it, I think my next step is to get a 55 gallon tank! I do have a short bubble wand in the tank, it provides very small bubbles and I have it against the wall of the tank. Tommy does like to hang around it. Perhaps I can secure it to the bottom of the tank and see if he enjoys it better. I also built a resting area by securely piling a few rocks on top of a porcelain bowl, turned over. It's secure, and the spot light rests about 8" from the rock, which is half in water, half dry. Plenty big for the little guy to rest and walk around on (and dive off). I got a great deal on a 30 gallon tank and wrought iron decorative tank stand at a garage sale, all for $30. Perhaps I'll try a longer bubble wand (this one is only about 4" long). Thanks!!!