Turtle for a 29 gal?

[BoCoMo]

Thanks guys.

I'm more of a fish person myself, so don't know a whole lot about turtles.

Now, I'll ask a question that I normally will berate people for on the fish side.

If I were to buy a juvenile turtle, could I put him in a 29 temporarily without causing damage or stressing him/her? And if so, for how long? And be 100% honest, I don't want to be "that guy" that stresses the crap out of his pets by not caring what size of a tank I put him in, like that guy on Craigslist with the Arrowana in a 55 Gallon tank. Honestly, it would be convenient for now. I'm hoping to set up my 55 tank for my fish, and it would be a real cash hit all at once if I had to buy all new stuff for everything right now. Even if it was just 6 months or so, a new tank would be no problem at all.

And I'll definitely do the research. I was just hoping to narrow down the species to do the research on if I could get one in the tank I've got.

be careful - after your first turtle you will probably be hooked!

 

[Gerdass]

Thought of another question already.

What type of plants would work in the aquarium with a Stinkpot? With not having a substrate, it kind of limits it, unless potted plants could work? Would a sand type substrate work? Or would that not be good for the turtle?

Oh, and since I'll probably have the turtle in there before the fish, I know I need massive filtration, but how much do I need to worry about ammonia, nitrates, nitrites in the tank when it's just the turtle in there?

 

[thesixis]

It's nice to see another turtle person here. All of the advice given so far is all good, BUT remember that turtles are very long lived. Be prepared to care for them for a long time. I have RES and I think they are great. Good Luck...

 

[kyryah]

Good plants would be frogbit, anachris, guppy grass, and anything that can grow free floating and is fast growing and easy to replace if the turtle eats it, lol.

The ammonia and nitrates are not as detrimental to the turtles as they are to the fish. It is still important to keep the tank very clean, but if the ammonia builds a little during the cycle, it is not going to kill the turtle. In fact the turtle's waste will contirbute to the bioload, which in turn will help you do a fishless cycle.

Kristina

 

[Gerdass]

Good plants would be frogbit, anachris, guppy grass, and anything that can grow free floating and is fast growing and easy to replace if the turtle eats it, lol.

The ammonia and nitrates are not as detrimental to the turtles as they are to the fish. It is still important to keep the tank very clean, but if the ammonia builds a little during the cycle, it is not going to kill the turtle. In fact the turtle's waste will contirbute to the bioload, which in turn will help you do a fishless cycle.

Kristina

You kind of answered my next question. I figured that the turtles waste would in sense be a fishless cycle, but I wasn't sure how much would be safe for the turtle.

I am thinking of using two filters for the 29 to start with. A internal filter rated for around 70 gallons, mainly for larger debri and waste and then a HOB with a bio-wheel rated for 30 gallons to add more biological filtration, and then incorporate the waterfall into the habitat somehow. You think this would work?

 

[kyryah]

Yes I do! I used both an internal filter and a HOB on my baby tank. I think making the water fall fit in would be great

Kristina

 

[kyryah]

Okay, this is my above tank basking platform that I built for a whopping $7

I needed a temporary above tank basking area. I was in the middle of moving, and hadn't been able to haul my big tank in to my new house yet, so I had three of my turtles temporarily in a 30 tall and one in a 20. I was looking for something I could do fast.

Materials -

Sterilite storage container, I don't remember how may gallons but the bottom measures 12 X 18" and it is 12" tall. $4.99 at Walmart
Textured shelf liner, $1 at Dollar Tree
Epoxy, $1 at Dollar Tree
Sand paper
stainless steel rack out of an old Boekel box style incubator that I have
packing tape


Method -


I cut the bottom of the tub so that half was open, and cut a notch out of the back for the filter. I drilled three holes in the edge near the cut with a knife and zip tied the stainless steel rack to it, so that it hung down as a ramp. Then I used the sand paper to rough up the surface of the basking area, and epoxyed the shelf liner in place. Once all the fumes were gone, I placed it over the tank and taped it in place with clear packing tape.


It wasn't fancy, but it certainly worked.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Maybe some zebras or something would work. I could try it and if necessary, I could put them in my 10 gallon if the turtle gets too nippy with them. But your stinkpot doesn't bother your pleco? You can't get a much easier target than that. I guess it will be a try and see kind of a thing.

Danios are a good choice of fish. They're fast, hardy and pretty inexpensive if they happen to get eaten.

My turtles totally ignore the pleco. In fact, they climb all over him like he's a piece of driftwood and the pleco doesn't seem to mind at all.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Good plants would be frogbit, anachris, guppy grass, and anything that can grow free floating and is fast growing and easy to replace if the turtle eats it, lol.

All are excellent choices of plants to try. I also keep water lettuce with my turtles. It multiplies fast and the turtles like to nibble on it.

My Red Cheek Mud Turtle and some Water Lettuce.

 

[Gerdass]

Sweet pics everyone.

Another quick question. How much tank height should be left above the basking platform in ensure the turtle can't climb out?