Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's Bicho in his tank with some of his new room mates.
3 Tiger Barbs,
10 Guppies (Only 4 left)
1 Pretty big Pleco
3 Live Plants
1 Fake Plant

Here are a few questions for the pros...

- I am wondering if I should add more water? Any comments??

- What do you guys recommend I do to clear up the water?.. seems a little muggy in there. Chemicals? More plecos?

Let me know what you guys think? Thanks.

Just chillin!

I'd recommend upgrading the tank size by a lot. If you have no plans for an outdoor pond, you might go ahead and start saving for the inevitable 120 gallon tank (or larger) and watch out for bargains on them.

Is that light bulb a normal household bulb? Your turtle should have a uvb light of some sort.

Yea that light bulb looks awfully bright like a house bulb.. be sure to get a heating one

Your tank size looks ok for now but yea its good to save up to upgrade in maybe months or years depending on what you want. I think your set up is very good but think about raising the water a bit since it looks like your filter (I have a similar one) is splashing everywhere. Maybe add 2-3 inches of water height, as long as the basking spot isn't drenched. Plus I think your turtle will enjoy the new swimming space

Just a suggestion Good set-up

I echo the recommendation about water depth. My 2 turtles are only 2 inches long and are in 8-inch-deep water in a 20-gallon long tank. I also use a similar type of filter (is that aquaclear 300?). If the filter is new, I would give it sometime for the bacterial colony to build up. You'll see an improvement of water quality in a couple of weeks. Nice looking turtle!

Thanks... I thought it might be too shallow. I'll add two or three inches of water and add a brick under each of the ones there. I read that the turtle should be able to peak its head out of the water with one foot touching the ground. Is that false? (must be if you are telling me to add water)

My wife just told me he was trying to munch on the Pleco. Is that normal? That pleco is bigger than he is! Has anyone experienced this? Seems like his leaving the Tiger Barbs alone for now, but like I said, there were 10 Guppies last night and this morning there were 4.

That IS an AquaClear 300. So the water quality wiil get better?.. I was already doing research on water clarifying chemicals and stuff. I should just sit tight and wait for the filter to do its thing?

Do you guys feed the turtles every day or every other day? I have read conflicting stuff. Let me know.

As for the light, it is a heat light; lloks bright because of the camera angle. As for UVB, I have a Reptilite 5.0 on standby, but he is infront of a south facing window which gets direct sunlight all day, so I am holding out on it to see how he does.

Keep in mind I have only had him for 2 days.

I would hold out and wait to see if the natural bateria colony forms to clear the water before trying to put in chemicals...many of the chemicals just don't work that great anyway, especially anything that promises to break down and reduce organic waste.

Many people feed hatchlings daily, and then once they hit juv. size start transitioning to every other day. Once they are an adult, definitely every other day. Many that feed adults on that schedule do chose to offer some veggies on a daily basis, and restrict the Reptomin (or similar protein sources) to just every other day, or a touch less.

You might want to break out that Reptilite bulb...to the best of my understanding, UVB light doesn't pass through glass and acrylic surfaces like windows and tank walls. Meaning that you either have to use a bulb that specifically produces UVB (not just UV) rays or provide some outdoor time in the real sunshine. (A nice Rubbermaid with a shaded corner and a basking spot should do it, and keep it cheap.) 15-30 mins. 1-2 times a week should do it. I personally sprung for the bulb (one reptile heat bulb for his basking spot, and the uvb bulb which is a tube-style.) I live in an apartment so getting the bulb was easier that carting him down the stairs to the yard.

And yes, your tank size is ok for now, but you'll want to start saving up for the great big "rest of his lifetime" tank. The thing about having a foot still touch the bottom with the head out of water is completely false. RES are strong swimmers, and I can't imagine a wild one would limit what ponds and streams he lived in because he didn't have a foot touching when he stuck his head out to breath. When you think of it in the terms of what a wild RES would do, such a guideline sounds very silly.

You've got a cute little squirt...best of luck!

Sun coming through the window is useless to your turt
for UVB. I would begin using the Reptisun to ensure that
he his getting this much needed element for proper growth
and utilization of food. This is one area that is probably
the most important next to a healthy diet.

Good job though!
Linda and slave to:
2 RES
2 Painted turtles
1 Redfoot tortoise
1 Iguana

If this is a new tank set up the water is not cycled so it will be cloudy because of waste given off by he turtle and fish and no benefical bacteria to convert the ammonia.

As far as the pleco thing goes. If he is picking on it he will eventually chew down the fins and probably kill it so I would advise removing the poor thing before it dies.

Interesting name you have chosen for him

- The water clarity thing is good news.
- The Pleco thing sucks... I'll have to keep an eye on it.
- The name was given by my 9month old daughter, who called it "bug" in spanish.

Thanks for getting back to me.

Here is a site I found that explains the bacteria cycle pretty nicely.

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/bcycling.htm

new pic

Check it out!

no it has enough water

ur water is fine I read that when ur turtle touches the bottom of the tank it should be able to strecth its head up and get some air and so ur turtle looks fine