Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was recently given a baby yellow slider as a pet for my dorm room. I have a 10 gallon tank with pebbles and a big rock. I have pebbles build up so he has a place to rest and then a place to swim. I went out a bought a Exo Terra 60W bulb and a Exo Terra 75W Night Glo bulb. I haven't started using the Night Glo bulb yet because I'm using my desk lamp and it can't hold anything more than a 60W. I was also told that the Night Glo light really wasn't needed until winter but I wasn't sure. I leave the light on all day and then turn it off at night. I feed him Zoo Med's Hatchling Aquatic Turtle Food (6 pellets in the morning and then 6 at night). He's seems to be doing ok but I think he's bored. I was wondering if there was something I could get for the tank. Also, the water is a little colder than room temp. and I was wondering if that was a bad thing or not? Thanks, Morgan

water should be room temp, even if it feels cooler(which it will). no night lamp is needed. in the winter if it is too cold you will need a submersible heater. do you have a filter? filters are a must. he needs the heat bulb and a full spectrum UV bulb(these are cheapest as fluorescent fixture/bulb). the heat bulb may say it is full spectrum, but it is not in terms of turtles. try a variety of pellets to ensure a truly balanced and complete diet. you should also get him his own heat lamp fixture, that way you can have your desklamp back. do you have a screen top? how deep is your water? he does have a place to get out of the water and completely dry off, right?

I don't have a filter. what kind of filter do I need? so are you saying I need two different bulbs and if so do I put both on him at the same time or do I switch them? And can I turn the light off at night? I was planning on getting a different fixture but he was given to me so quickly I really haven't had time to get one. I don't have a screen top, is that a must? The water isn't very deep. There is enough to cover him but he can still stick his head out. I do have a place for him to get completely dry. He spends sometime there and sometime in the water. Also, how often should I clean his tank and when I do so should I dump all the water out and put need pebbles in?

a screen is a good place to set lights on. it also prevents a whole lot of college crap from falling into the tank. i have had baby turtles like yours in a foot of water without any problems. so you can fill it up about halfway, he will like swimming. after all he is a water turtle. for a filter you should get a whisper 10i. it is also known as a microfilter and a reptofilter. the reptofilter has green plastic and a cover over the filter cartridge, but it is still effectively the same filter. if higher water means his land area is now underwater, get a small turtle dock. they are floating platforms that rise and fall with the water level, and have these 2 plastic guides that keep the platform in one spot in the tank. for lighting: yes you need two different lights and fixtures. yes both stay on at the same time during the day, and both get turned off at night. you need an incandescent(screw in) heat lamp and bulb. you also need a fluorescent(long skinny bulb) for full spectrum UV lighting. both are a must for your turtle to be healthy. cleaning can be done as needed, but the filter will definitely help minimize it. usually gravel vacuuming is enough. you can do this with a small bucket and an aquarium gravel vacuum/siphon hose. gravel is easily cleaned and therefore should never need to be replaced.