Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is such a great palce!! I have some concerns about the temperature in the 10 gallon tank which I'm housing my hatchling. What should the temperature be in the "hot" zone and in the "cool" zone. How much and how often should I offer Opuntia/prickly pear? How much and how often should I offer vitamins? Should I use the calciun supplement with vitamin D every day or how often and how much?

>>This is such a great palce!! I have some concerns about the temperature in the 10 gallon tank which I'm housing my hatchling. What should the temperature be in the "hot" zone and in the "cool" zone.

81 in the hot zone & for a baby, I wouldn't go any lower than 70F in the cool zone but frankly a 10 gallon tank is so small it's hard to get a gradient perfected. Have you thought about using a Rubbermaid type storage box? They make great homes for small turtles & tortoises.

>How much and how often should I offer Opuntia/prickly pear? How much and how often should I offer vitamins? Should I use the calciun supplement with vitamin D every day or how often and how much?

I let my adult have opuntia 2-3 times a week. It's good for them but since the diet should be about 70% grasses, too much of a good thing might cause diarrhea. The supplements should be given more like a couple of times a week not daily. Too much of a good thing again can cause problems.
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PHRatz

Great! Thanks for the advice. We were keeping the temps correct. The suggestion for a Rubbermaid box is a good one, but keeps the viewing to a minimum.

>>The suggestion for a Rubbermaid box is a good one, but keeps the viewing to a minimum.

ahhh but not if you buy a big 28 gallon clear box!
With the holidays coming this is the best time of year to find very large clear storage boxes!
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PHRatz