Hello all! My name is Chris, and it's nice to find an interactive pet community. If I may give a little introduction about myself and why I'm joining; My wife and I decided to get our son a turtle for his birthday. So while I was at work, she went to a pet store and they sold her two red eared slider turtles, a 20 gallon tank (which only has a 10 gal capacity for water), and a crappy filtration system.
I haven't had any fish or aquatic pets since I was about 9 years old (I'm 29 now) and had to get rid of my fish because we were moving 400 miles away. I know you need about a gallon of water for every inch of fish in the tank. So, I was looking around and I found a used 90 gallon tank and oak stand for sale for cheap. I'm picking it up in a few days. I've done the appropriate research and got all the temperatures, water levels, and other conditions in mind. I'm going to set it up with two UVB's, two raised areas for basking, two filters (one mechanical, one submersible) rated for 100-125 gallon tanks, a few male snails (if I can't find males, than I'll get just one, as I hear they breed quickly), a pleco (about twice as large as the turtles, so they won't attack it), and some feeder fish. I was also thinking about getting some other larger fish (maybe 2 or three larger angel fish or carp). Does this setup seem like it will work and clean mostly on its own? I would like to stick to half water changes once a month if possible.
The previous owner said he has a protein skimmer, and I'm not sure if they'll work with a fresh water tank, but he's including it with the purchase so I can, I'll use it. Is there anything else anyone could recommend to help keep this a health, safe, and happy environment for all species included?
I am very upset at the store that sold us the turtles. One has a soft shell and isn't eating very often. I've begun coaxing him to eat pellets by hand (I dip them in tuna juice and hold it in the water in front of him). We've had them about a week and a half, so they're "out of warranty"....and I'd rather try and nurse him back to health then give up on him so the store can throw him out. If there is anything anyone can recommend, please let me know. I want this turtle to survive for my son, as well as so our other turtle has a companion....as they are always laying next to each other while basking....they also swim together, but the sick one swims far less. He's getting better since the nursing.
Thanks in advance,
New guy!
I haven't had any fish or aquatic pets since I was about 9 years old (I'm 29 now) and had to get rid of my fish because we were moving 400 miles away. I know you need about a gallon of water for every inch of fish in the tank. So, I was looking around and I found a used 90 gallon tank and oak stand for sale for cheap. I'm picking it up in a few days. I've done the appropriate research and got all the temperatures, water levels, and other conditions in mind. I'm going to set it up with two UVB's, two raised areas for basking, two filters (one mechanical, one submersible) rated for 100-125 gallon tanks, a few male snails (if I can't find males, than I'll get just one, as I hear they breed quickly), a pleco (about twice as large as the turtles, so they won't attack it), and some feeder fish. I was also thinking about getting some other larger fish (maybe 2 or three larger angel fish or carp). Does this setup seem like it will work and clean mostly on its own? I would like to stick to half water changes once a month if possible.
The previous owner said he has a protein skimmer, and I'm not sure if they'll work with a fresh water tank, but he's including it with the purchase so I can, I'll use it. Is there anything else anyone could recommend to help keep this a health, safe, and happy environment for all species included?
I am very upset at the store that sold us the turtles. One has a soft shell and isn't eating very often. I've begun coaxing him to eat pellets by hand (I dip them in tuna juice and hold it in the water in front of him). We've had them about a week and a half, so they're "out of warranty"....and I'd rather try and nurse him back to health then give up on him so the store can throw him out. If there is anything anyone can recommend, please let me know. I want this turtle to survive for my son, as well as so our other turtle has a companion....as they are always laying next to each other while basking....they also swim together, but the sick one swims far less. He's getting better since the nursing.
Thanks in advance,
New guy!
to MFK!