My Texas Diamondback Terrapin!

[mshill90]

I have been looking for a Northern DBT for a good while after seeing one on craigslist- I posted an ad, and a woman emails me and tells me she has a Texas DBT. So I went and picked him up yesterday. He's adorable! But I have some questions, as there is really not much info on the web about care for these guys.. She said it's a male.. full grown... he's 3 years old, and about 6-7" (I've read this is correct for his age)

1. How long should I leave his lights on or? I've read 12 hours; OR when you get up turn them on, and when you go to bed turn them off. The second option poses an issue, as I get up at 7am, and go to be around 1am. I'm thinking just use a timer.

2. I've read they like water temp in the cool 70's= 72/73 F area (I have the water set at 73, and he's pretty happy with it.

3. I have a filter made specifically for turtles, but I am thinking that maybe he should have move... I can use a HOB filter, I am thinking he would like the waterfall/movement. Should I add anything to move the water around.. do they like current? Previous owner only changed his water once a month- yuck! Should I change his water like I change my fish tanks- every other day? I added some ceramic rings in bags inside the filter (left side of the tank/rock looking thing)- I am actually going to prop it up higher to I can raise the water level.

4. What all can I feed him? I know they are mostly carnivores- I fed him some krill, and he loved it! I have pellets for him which she fed him, and she said to use dried krill, but the frozen is healthier (at least for fish it is).... I've been reading he can have clams, mussels, worms... Does he need anything to keep his beak filed down? And can he have beefheart? And I know not to feed him more than he can eat in 5 minutes. Do they eat any vegetation? And what kind?

5. I've heard they are solitary as babies, would he do ok with another type of terrapin if I got a male?

6. My temps plans for him is a 40 gallon long tank, which is 18" wide x 3' long. Is this large enough for 1 turtle for a month or 2? I am in the process of building him a turtle paradise with a preform pond, and some nice warm spots to bask.. he's got a rock right now..

And, here's pics! (these are from prev owner)

The last pic is his semi permanent setup that I have for him right now.

 

[wayne the pain]

Cool Terrapin

 

[Kanta]

Adorable Turtle sir

 

[mshill90]

Lol. Im a ma'am. But thanks!

 

[krichardson]

Really nice.Terrapins are my favorite turtles,sorry I can't offer any help to your questions as I don't know much about this species.

 

[reptech]

Nice pick up but id go for a bigger tank with more swimming room

 

[mshill90]

Nice pick up but id go for a bigger tank with more swimming room

As I said in my post, this is only temporary for at the most 2 months.

I definitely don't need the "bigger tank" lecture. haha.

 

[Natalie]

He's really cute. For the time being, you could increase the water level as deep as possible without him being able to climb out of the tank. He'll really appreciate the water.

 

[mshill90]

Well, the rock type thing on the left of the tank is the filter... there's a sub pump, and those stupid carbon filter pads on each side.. it has a min and max water line- so I could only fill it so far. This filter is JUNK- it came with him- so until everything comes for my canister filter, I have to use this.

I have a fluval 104 (haha) that I am also going to add to the tank if I can get the parts.

I propped a flat rock underneath of it, so he has about 4 more inches to swim in now.

He's only 5-6" so for right now it's enough.

I was going to use a preformed pond, but I have a 180 gallon drop in liner that I might use. It's 2 ft deep, 3 wide, and 4 long.

 

[Toby_H]

It sounds like you’ve done a fair bit of homework… Here are a few thoughts on your original questions above…
　
1. 12 on / 12 off is fine… and yes I highly suggest using a timer. Regulation is beneficial for “wild animals” kept indoors. Another option is to use a timer to replicate outdoor light times. Thus giving him more hours of light in the summer and less in the winter…
　
2. Low 70’s work great. In the winter months you may want to let it cool a bit.
　
3. There are a thousand ways to filter the tank… More filtration is better than less, power heads make a great source of moving water for the turtle to “play” in… Also clean the filters more often than you would fish tank filters, simply because turtles are messier therefore they will be collecting more physical waste (mechanical filtration).
　
5. They do not “need” companionship… but they do well in pairs or groups… just make sure you have the space and other conditions for whatever size group you plan to keep together.
　
6. Simply put, the 40 gal is too small for him. So getting the larger environment ready for him sooner rather than later is very important. Rubbermaid Stock Tanks work great for turtles. They come in 110, 150 and 300 gal sizes.
　
The “rule of thumb” for turtles is 10 gal of water for every 1” diameter… You are currently supplying half of that. So while I understand the 40 gal is temporary, please understand your temporary enclosure is inadequate.