beginner

[austinSOLO]

hey so i saw an ad on craigslist for a RES with a tank, a canister filter, a container of food, a basking dock, and the lights for $100. i am very interested and know how to take care of them to a extent. i know water temperature, lighting, and size, but i need some more tips about there care in general. like maintaining the filter, i have to change something monthly right? and water changes and cleaning. i also need some help on food. what should i be feeding an adult? any help would be great!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Austin:

I guess I'm going to try to discourage you from getting the RES with the aquarium. RES get pretty big and the water gets pretty messy. Its a lot of work to keep a RES in the house. Its much, much easier to set them up outside.

As for the filter, it all depends upon how quickly it gets dirty...maybe once a week...maybe once a month.

RES will eat either live food (worms, crickets, etc.) or vegetation. You can also supplement with pellets.

 

[ascott]

Yup, they are the goldfish of the turtle world...lol....however, I have to say that they have the biggest and funniest personalities....eventually a really large stock tup or outdoor pond should be in the plans if you do adopt one into your life.....

I have two (that I kinda ended up with when they were tiny) and I just adore them....they are messy and I have to do complete water changes at about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks ...the girls here will eat fish (frozen kind, freeze dried crickets, shrimp and other bug parts along with more greens now as they are getting older)

It is absolutely a commitment on your part, but I don't regret it---sometimes I totally DO NOT enjoy the water change outs, but do it and once it is done I am over it...

 

[austinSOLO]

oh okay yeah im still unsure about a turtle since i spent so much time learning about tortoises and the care i think is easier