Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just had two red ear slider dumped on us. We rescue box turtles so these guys are have different requirements. One is 7" and the other is 5" long. They have been living is a 10 gal (jail) for almost 10 years. The jailers just decided to get rid of them so we took them. First is a Aquarium 65 gallon 48" x 18" x 17" tall a good size to move them to? They will now have uva/uvb lighting and a different diet and one needs addressing of minor shell rot. Question 2 Should they be separated until the shell rot is cured?and 3 are the little colored rocks on the bottom ok or should I get rid of them.
Thanks Peeps

How about one of those plastic pond forms? I bought one for my 12 yr old female slider, one side is built up with rocks and a sandbox (only because I found out she has eggs)and she has plenty of room to swim around one end, stroll around the other. They're very light weight and easy to move around when empty. I used it on my patio this summer and now it's in the basement. I spent $125 for my size but there are plenty of selections. If they've been together for years they might be ok, but they might be more active apart. I had a 5 yr old little stinkpot living with my slider before I got them, and when she started snapping at the little guy I seperated them, and he's been much more active since. I think it would be tough to find a tank big enough to have a decent sunning spot for them both, and good swimming room. Mine had a 40 gal. and she had a hard time getting herself up to bask, since she's so heavy. So with the pond I can have a longer more gradual incline for her to use. Good luck!

That tank sounds just superb. I wouldn't worry about the shell rot either, as it's not contagious, but due to poor water quality and lack of good lighting. There's no need to separate them, therefore, providing they're compatible. In the spring buy them a farm pond and give them direct sunlight, which is a sure cure for shell rot. For now, use a betadine solution and dry dock it for hours at a time. Don't pick away its scute either, but use a soft toothbrush to scrub away the fungus.

Good luck.

One more thing. Get rid of those rocks if they the tiny, grainy type. A high cause of death amongst water turtles is due to impaction, or from swallowing small gravel. Get them bigger gravel that they can't swallow.

A great "tank" is one of those blue, plastic kiddie wading pools! I have used thses for years. They are very cheap, you can get a 60 -75 gallon one for about $10.00! The down side is the stores only sell them in the summer!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch(rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband