help with turtle tank

[stylEmon]

i'm not trying to offend anyone,
The fact is, MOST people in aquatics get a turtle thinking they are tough, sturdy pets that dont require a lot of attention. And MOST people do little research about their growth and habits. MOST of these people also dump the turtle some where or on someone.

I've had a few turtles dumped on me, and while I enjoy taking care of them, and usually find a home for them, I have had a couple turtles die on me.

Two comments in particular made me think that you are not the right candidate to care for a turtle.

i would like to get a turtle that can live in a 20 gallon long aquarium for the span of its whole life

and

my max price for this turtle is going to be 50$

No one goes to the pound saying that they can only get a dog that can stay in a 2' kennel it's entire life. So my bad if I misunderstood. I was just trying to get you to think about these things.

What part of SA are you from? I grew up in Schertz

 

[bmxdannyo]

i guess i phrased that wrong, my max price for the turtle is 50$, i wasnt including the rest of the supplies, just the turtle, because i know some reptiles get expensive very quikly

 

[paul112]

You should have 10G per inch of turtle, a 20G isn't big enough for any commonly available species, go for a 40G tank minimum. Mud and musk turtles are your best bet for somthing that stays small.

You will also need a UVB light of 5% or more UVB.

Personally it sounds like you're just trying to find something to fit in a spare 20G and thought a turtle would be a cool pet to have. This isn't the right approach to keeping turtles and you need to research a certain species thoroughly, and build the environment around the species you want.

I hope this makes sense.

Paul

 

[bmxdannyo]

ok well then nvm, i have a spare ten gallon aquarium, i was thingking of doing a couple fire belly toads (i think thats the right name) and they only get 2 inches, i have all the supplies from a shallow water filter, the gravel/water divider etc...

 

[stylEmon]

sounds like a good idea. Also, red eyed tree frogs are FREAKING COOL..

 

[love4turtles]

Don't let their small size full you, one of the tanks I had to invest in is 150 gallons. I have my musk in a 10 but he is moving up too.

 

[coura]

i believe there is a reeves species that doesnt get very large, but I would think even a Reeves wouldnt be extremely happy in anything smaller than a 40G. All turltes need UVA/UVB lamps. Or direct sunlight (no glass in between)

To be blunt, I think you are the wrong person to care for a turtle . This is only based on your questions above, but you seem to be looking at what YOU want from a turtle.

These animals require much care and attention when they are young. Even when they get more stable, they require sulfa-baths, constant water changes and a highly varied diet. They live VERY long lives and can make tanks messy. Futhermore, it is illiegal and unethical to dump turtles in a lake, river or pond when you are no longer able to care for them.

Just some things to think about

Unless you have sick turtles you dont need sulfa baths But yes is the kind of thing that is good to have just in case.

 

[coura]

Your tank is on the smallish side and is insuficient for most tutles. I would defenetly go for a hachling if you plan on upgrading in the near future. But if you are thinking for life then the chice of animals decrease a lot. You need a turtle that stays small and you need a male because a female will sooner or later need a place to lay her eggs wich you will not be able to suply in such a small tank. Also most male turts stay smaller. Are you able to build a above ground basking platform? That would realy help in duplicating the avaible space to your turt. Besides musk and mud turts a good bet for you would be a male map turtle(specialy texas maps wich are some of the smallest maps) or a male southern painted.

 

[coura]

Your tank is on the smallish side and is insuficient for most tutles. I would defenetly go for a hachling if you plan on upgrading in the near future. But if you are thinking for life then the chice of animals decrease a lot. You need a turtle that stays small and you need a male because a female will sooner or later need a place to lay her eggs wich you will not be able to suply in such a small tank. Also most male turts stay smaller. Are you able to build a above ground basking platform? That would realy help in duplicating the avaible space to your turt. Besides musk and mud turts a good bet for you would be a male map turtle(specialy texas maps wich are some of the smallest maps) or a male southern painted.