Turtle Kit?
I am going to buy a southern painted turtle for my boyfriend and I want a tank that will be a good size for a baby turtle. I plan to get a bigger habitat next fall when we get our house. I need some links for some turtle habitat kits that include what I need, or links to each thing I need. Since we'll be buying something better when we move I odn't want to spend a ton of money now, just what I need to get by, liek the lamps, the cage, the thermometer, food etc. Let me know what I need and show me some decent ones to buy. How much should all my stuff cost?
Thanks!
Any info on the southern painted turtle would be nice too!
Turtle kits are a wast of money. This is what you need, I will * what can wait till next fall.
Here is what he needs:
1.You need the biggest tank you can afford upfront. A good rule of thumb is 10g per inch of shell, so no a 10g would not be fine unless you have a 1in hatchling, but it won't last you long so it doesn't make sense to buy small. If you can't afford a large tank, there are other options, a kiddie pool, a preformed pond liner, a rubber maid tote etc. Turtle tanks / the side cut out is a waste of money. Also Sliders like deep water so fill the tank! * bigger is better but buying the biggest you need can wait if your turtle is not an adult.*
2. You need a UVA/UVB light the box must say UVB and it must emit at least 5% UVB but 10% is best.
3. You need a Heat/Basking lamp, this can be a clamp lamp from a hardware store for 5 bucks and a household bulb.
4. You need a Basking spot. This needs to be a place for the turtle to come completly out of the water to dry off and sun himself. You can use a log, a platform, a dock, a ramp, etc as long as the turtle can fit on it comfortably.
5. You need good filtration. Turtles are messy. Shoot for 2x the gallon size but more is good too. For example if you have a 40g get a filter made for an 80g or bigger. *(You can get by on a smaller cheaper filter and frequent water changes until then*
6. Submersible heater. Depending on where you live, you may need a heater, the water temps should be mid to high 70's if you cannot achieve this w/out a heater, then get one.
7. A thermometer so you can accurately monitor the temps.
8. Substrate, you may use substrate but do not buy gravel!! Turtles can and will eat it. Usually with dire consequences. A good alternative is river rock bigger than the turtles head upgrading if needed. *
9. Decorations/plants (llive or real as long as not toxic see safe plants under food below) a place to hide. This are not absolutly needed but plants and other hiding places reduces stress. *
10. A good herp vet. If you want to be a responsible pet owner, you need a good vet BEFORE trouble happens. http://www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html
11. Varied diet must eat in the water! Mazuri and ReptoMin, Reptile/Pond 10, Cichlid Sticks, aquatic plants, fish, veggies, snails, crickets and assorted worms and insects.
Aquatic plants you can feed * Anacharis
* Duckweed
* Water Hyacinth
* Water Lettuce
* Water Lily
Hatchlings should be fed everyday for the first year of their lives. They should be given as much as they can eat in 10 to 15 mins time or as much as you could fit into their head if hollow. You can feed them all of it at once or you can slit it up into 2 feedings.
Hatchlings tend to be more Carnivorous than adults, so make sure to check out the suggestions of live and protein-rich foods below for how to supplement accordingly. (Make sure you still give fruits and veggies at this stage!)
Juveniles/Adults
Once your turtle reaches the 4" mark, we recommend that you change their feeding schedule to every other day. Giving them greens or live plants in between.
For a Southern Painted Care sheet see here http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs -spaint.htm
