Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I went their and found so many. I didn't look hard enough at some of the larger individuals but we're talking easy 30-40 lbers. These turtles seriously had heads about the size of a fist/ apple. The one I got turned out to be a 10" by 9" female spiny- not bad for $43. She seems to be doing really good, fairly good shell shape(minor scratches), nice underneath, very inquisitive. I have a 125 waiting for her, but it wont be ready for 2 days(i'm in the process of moving) - will she be fine for a while without food(she weighed 4.31 lbs)? I've kept snappers(alligator and common), maps, and painteds but this is my 1st softie. My plan was to have 80% water of 7-10"(sand bottom) and 20% sandy/sandstone bank, feeder goldfish, commercial turtle food, heat radiant basking light over water, anything else?

Instead of goldfish which are rather fatty, get minnows or guppies instead.

also the tank temp right now is 74-78 during the day and around 72ish at night - (she has eaten yet) should i add some heat?

I would bump the water temperature up to 80. What is the basking area temperature? According to www.chelonia.org/Articles/softshellcare.htm the basking area should be around 90°.