Meet squirtle

[tortmommy]

I’m excited to announce I got a turtle I finally found a store near me that had her and I’m so happy. This enclosure is temporary. If anyone has any helpful advice for her new enclosure how to set it up what to use what not to use I would appreciate it.

 

[south12_9]

Looks great.... but the gravel is kinda a No no... If they can put it in their mouth they can also swallow it and block their intestines... I don't use any substrate I just have a glass bottom in my opinion it's easier to clean.

 

[Reptilony]

Me too, never used any substrate for my map. It's not safe.

 

[Reptilony]

Me too, never used any substrate for my map. It's not safe.

Also, what's the species?

 

[south12_9]

Pretty sure It looks like an African Sideneck...

 

[Reptilony]

Pretty sure It looks like an African Sideneck...

Thanks, sidenecks are good swimmers and you don't have to be afraid of them drowning so I would suggest adding water to let it have more space. Putting only half water is good for not so good swimmers but for good swimmers there is no reason to do so. You just need to make sure there is enough space so your tort can't escape and the basking spot should not be too close to the light. Also (I don't know if you already have one) but it's good to have a dimmer on the heating light to adjust as the water level changes.

 

[south12_9]

Dimmer 4 the heating light??? This is New to me.. tell me more.. is it 4 a clip on or do I have 2 cut into the cord???

 

[Reptilony]

It's an adapter, just plug your current light in this normal plug that goes in the wall and change the heat level with your thumb. It's sold in hardware store's or amazon.

 

[Reptilony]

https://www.amazon.ca/Lutron-TT-300...rds=dimmer&dpPl=1&dpID=41a-UD1USVL&ref=plSrch

 

[south12_9]

It's an adapter, just plug your current light in this normal plug that goes in the wall and change the heat level with your thumb. It's sold in hardware store's or amazon.

Sweet thanks

 

[Reptilony]

Sweet thanks

Saw your RES setup...Very nice : )

 

[south12_9]

Thanks... What's your Map setup look like...

 

[tortmommy]

Ok thank you for the advice some people say gravel is ok just watch your turtle some will eat it some won’t and I like the look with a substrate on the bottom especially since they live with rocks in the wild I will look into something natural that won’t potential harm him I will be getting a bigger tank soon that’s why I don’t have much I like to give my shell baby’s the best I can also are plants a good idea and do I need something to put oxygen in the water my friend mentioned it but I forgot what it is called

 

[Reptilony]

Ok thank you for the advice some people say gravel is ok just watch your turtle some will eat it some won’t and I like the look with a substrate on the bottom especially since they live with rocks in the wild I will look into something natural that won’t potential harm him I will be getting a bigger tank soon that’s why I don’t have much I like to give my shell baby’s the best I can also are plants a good idea and do I need something to put oxygen in the water my friend mentioned it but I forgot what it is called

Putting oxygen in the water will help but it's not necessary. Most aquatic plants are fine but most tort will eat anything! I tried anubias because it's safe and supposed to taste bad but guess what he ate it...If you want a natural look I would suggest putting big river pebbles as the turtle won't be able to eat it, however if you choose this, debris will get in there very easily and you will need to clean it often.

 

[south12_9]

For the Oxygen just get a cheep Air pump from Wally World aka Wall Mart...

 

[tortmommy]

Ok thank you guys

 

[Moozillion]

View attachment 248042View attachment 248043

I’m excited to announce I got a turtle I finally found a store near me that had her and I’m so happy. This enclosure is temporary. If anyone has any helpful advice for her new enclosure how to set it up what to use what not to use I would appreciate it.

You need a REALLY POWERFUL filter for turtle tanks!!!! What kind do you have?

 

[Moozillion]

View attachment 248042View attachment 248043

I’m excited to announce I got a turtle I finally found a store near me that had her and I’m so happy. This enclosure is temporary. If anyone has any helpful advice for her new enclosure how to set it up what to use what not to use I would appreciate it.

Do you have a heater in the water? What is your water temperature?

 

[tortmommy]

I don’t have a water heater the tank without a heat light stays 78 with a heat light in the 80’s

 

[tortmommy]

You need a REALLY POWERFUL filter for turtle tanks!!!! What kind do you have?

I have a reptile filter that will filter 20 gallons of water I have about 7 in the tank now and it seems to be working really well so far