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Can someone list the basic setup for two RES?

TwoFemaleRES Nov 02, 2004 04:15 PM

Hi - I want to do better for my RES turtles. They are both female and the larger attacks the smaller. I would like a tank they can share but be separated from each other. Can someone list for me what the basics are that are needed? Right now they are in plastic tubs (separate tubs) with a rock and brick each and water and that's it.

1. What size tank (gallon wise) do I need minimum for 6" and 8" sliders? How do I create a divider for them in the tank so they can't attack each other?
2. What should be in the tank so they can bask? (Please be specific -- I have gone to the pet store many times and walk away totally confused). If they are divided in the same tank how do I create something so that they can both bask yet are separated from each other?
3. How high should the water be in the tank (in inches)?
4. What goes on top of the tank? (Please be specific -- I have gone to the pet store many times and walk away totally confused). If a light is needed (where the tank is there is no direct sunlight ever) what kind of light? Where does it go?
5. Which brand and model filter will work best for my situation (Please be specific -- I have gone to the pet store many times and walk away totally confused).
6. Which brand and model heater will work best for my situation (Please be specific -- I have gone to the pet store many times and walk away totally confused).
7. What temp should heater be set to in general? 75?
8. I have been feeding them those Reptomin or something food sticks. Is this ok? Should I be adding other food? How often do you feed them? The Reptomin can says several times wach day but this can't be right...

Any info at all would be appreciated. My head is spinning . I have searched online, looked in books and asked at the petstore and I just end up all overwhelmed and confused. If there is someone here who has through trial and error found a great setup and is willing to share the knowledge that would be great!

Thanks!

--Abby

Replies (4)

boogernsnot Nov 02, 2004 05:11 PM

Hello Abby,
First i want to start off by saying that you may not actually need to separate them. they may have been fighting because they were in a 'crammed' situation. *i am not sure what their living arrangement was before the plastic tubs.* but if they were crammed, that may have been their reason to fight. turtles are pretty territorial and if one thought that the other one was cutting into her/his territory, he/she would attack the other one.
If you really feel you need to separate them... the cheapest would be the tub idea. but a more expensive route includes LARGE tanks. the 'rule of thumb' is 10 gallons of water per INCH of turtle, which would mean that you would need 60 gallons for one turtle and 80 for the other. (this doesnt mean that they can't survive in a smaller amount of water) but you do want to make sure that they have PLENTY of room to move around, and they love to swim, so you also want to make sure they have enough water to swim their little hearts out!
Depending on what the sex of your trutles is... the males get about 10 inches (i believe.. not too sure on this) and the females can get up to about 15 inches... so if you plan on keeping these, you will eventually either need a VERY LARGE tank... or a pond!
about the divider: i would say that you could use a piece of plexiglass (though im not sure this would hold that large amount of water back)... i would say probably not if it were up to me. You could always cut holes into the plexiglass so that water can get from side to side (this means u would only need one filter), but make the holes small enough that the turtles cant reach each other... you could probably connect it to the glass by using the stuff they used to put the tank together... i think it's called aquarium glue or something.
The easiest thing that i have heard of for turtles to bask is a turtle dock. but if you're turtles are 6 and 8 inches, im not sure one of these would hold your turtle up out of the water. of course, if you do go this route, u will need 2 docks (one for each side of the tank and turtle).
the water should be as high as you can get it without the turtles getting out... they LOVE to swim, and they love having room to swim. the more water you can give them, the happier they will be!
if you want to keep the water pretty high, you will need a cover for the tank, u can either buy one of these or make it *not sure about buying directions*...
You also need a basking light(this can be a regular light bulb), and it should be directly over the area they bask on. this should reach temperatures in the mid 80's. you will also need a UVB light. and you may need a water heater, depending on where you live. the water temps should be in the mid 70's. I hear that the heaters with the glass covers are best so that your turtle can not get burned if he/she would happen to rub against it!
as far as filters, all i know is that you will need a BIG ONE for such a large amount of water. i know that people on here make their own, so that might be best in your situation, i am sure if you ask they would gladly give you directions for making your own canister filter!
your turtle (at this age and size) should be eating MOSTLY greens, which can include anything from veggies to fruits (especially dandelion greens, collard greens, red lettuce, broccoli, carrots), and it definitely should be a VARIETY of food... your turtles should only be given the pellets like two or 3 times a week. this is protein, and considering they are supposed to be mostly vegetarian, they should only eat it a few times a week. you can offer greens at ANY time. also, to cut down on waste for your filter it is A LOT (speaking from experience) easier to feed the turtles in separate containers so that most of the waste is NOT in the tank.
if you do feed your turtles mostly reptomin, you are probably overfeeding them, which could cause them MAJOR health problems later on in life! which i am sure you do not want. i hope this information helps

-----
~ Evie

Pets:
RIP 0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger & Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.2 Snail {Gary & Larry}

dsgngrl Nov 02, 2004 05:30 PM

The other poster summed it up pretty well, I just wanted to add that they actually sell tank dividers, you would just have to find the one that fits whatever your tank size is. They are basically just plastic mesh that lets the water circulate but keeps the turtles apart.
-----
Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 2001
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

AlteredMind99 Nov 02, 2004 08:39 PM

Again, the first post was awesome. I just wanted to add that they sell turtle docks in an xtra large size. My friend has a 13inch female RES and she can climb out completely on her dock and bask to her hearts content.

oh, and also, the stuff to secure the plexi glass is Aquarium Silicone, its very cheap and availble at most pet stores.
-----
1.0 green iguana-Deitrich
1.1 Common Boa-Un-Named, Ursula
1.0 Ball Python-Anabell (go figure!)
1.0 Red Tegu-Uteg
1.0 Albino Cal King-Pig
0.1 Mexican Black King-Morticia
1.1 Bearded Dragons-Unnamed, Hanabil
1.0 Albino San Diego Gopher-Unnamed
0.1 Hermans tort-Esio
1.1 JCP-Milton, Medusa
1.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Snow Corn-Unnamed
1.0 Hypo Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Motley Okeetee-Unnamed
1.0 Western Hoggie-Wyrm
0.0.1 Rose Hair Taruntla-Unnamed
2.0 Leopard Geckos-Reptar, Pogo
4.1 cats-Tucker,Poe,Abhib,Emerald, Felicity
0.1 Bullmastiff-Asha

TwoFemaleRES Nov 05, 2004 10:26 AM

All of your suggestions really helped (esp. the first really detailed post - thank you!) I am going to look into getting a used aquarium that is at least 80 gallons. Also, I am going to check on the Fluval filters, buy two turtle docks, get a uv light for the aquarium top, and get a heater that has glass over it. That should about do it, correct? The vet told me to keep it simple with them and not put in fake plants, gravel, or anything else -- just water, way to get out and bask, and UV light source.

It seems they need a diet change too so I will switch over to a *real* food diet with floating food sticks as a supplement.

Thank you everyone!

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