New Turtle

Piranha86

Piranha86

AC Members
Dec 26, 2009
1,309
0
36
Harford County Maryland
Real Name
Will
So today, my little brother caught a baby painted turtle (silver dollar shell size) and insisted we take it home. I have been looking into turtles anyway so I said yes. I have it in a 36g, filled about half way. The filter is a tetra 20i (no 40i's in stock). The light is a flourescent light, and I have a turtle dock in there. I also have a rock that pokes out of the water a little that he likes to sit on. I have a few rosy reds in there just for fun and if he eats them, that's all good.

I put some thawed bloodworms near him, and he didn't show interest. When I put fish food in for the rosy reds, he ate 1 or 2 pieces. Should I buy commercial turtle food?

Also, will he outgrow this tank? I am OK buying a 55g for him in a year or two, but would it be necessary? During the summer, I might let him stay in our pond (I'd fence it in).

Thanks :)


PS: I'll upload a picture later.
 
Hi, I'm not going to get into the whole captive breeding vs wild caught. For the sake of the turtle, it needs to be able to COMPLETELY crawl out of the water and dry off. I would use a spot light/ uvb on a flat rock to give him the ability to thermo regulate. I would also use a full spectrum light to light the tank. Calcium is important and D3 comes from sun light. I would give him earth worms and a freshly killed rosey to eat. He may only eat at night until he is acclimated to a tank. Good luck.
 
I had a 5 inch RES in a 55 and he used every inch of the tank. Be prepared to upgrade. Iirc the "rule" is 10 gal per inch of shell
 
thesixis said:
Hi, I'm not going to get into the whole captive breeding vs wild caught. For the sake of the turtle, it needs to be able to COMPLETELY crawl out of the water and dry off. I would use a spot light/ uvb on a flat rock to give him the ability to thermo regulate. I would also use a full spectrum light to light the tank. Calcium is important and D3 comes from sun light. I would give him earth worms and a freshly killed rosey to eat. He may only eat at night until he is acclimated to a tank. Good luck.
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Thanks. The turtle dock allows him to get completely out of water. I'm pretty sure my light is full-specrum, and I'm going to get him a heat lamp soon. Also, the roseys are a little big for him, would a freshly killed guppy be better?
Ballyhoo said:
I had a 5 inch RES in a 55 and he used every inch of the tank. Be prepared to upgrade. Iirc the "rule" is 10 gal per inch of shell
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Thanks, Bally. I'm pretty sure that painteds don't get as big as RES's, but I'll keep that in mind.
YourOtherLeft said:
Great source of information

Austin's Turtle Page http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/

Care sheets http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheets.htm
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Thanks for the links :)
 
I Also use chopped talpia filet. I have 5 res in a couple of tanks/
 
Nice turtle, I want to get one to, but need another tank, and my parents will kill me:)
 
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