Newbie need advice

[ab positive bulldogs]

Hey Guys I just got a Hold of a Common snapping turtle from a friend...it is cold right now so I bought a 50 Gallon tank set up on Craiglist with some rocks filter and heater....but I am realizing that the full tank might be too much for the turtle to swim up and catch air...so I have been researching on different filter systems and heater set ups...anyone here have a 50 gallon set up that can point me in the right direction please? i found this on CL and might pick it up (minus the turtle)

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/for/3544188278.html

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[ab positive bulldogs]

The reason I am asking is because I have him in a regular Fish type set up and I noticed that he doesn't swim up very well or at all and needs to get on a rock to reach the top for air...I am worried that one day he won't be able to or that he will be too stressed out because of this...here is a pic so you guys can see what I am talking about

 

[Metriacliman]

You see in the CL ad that there's a basking area and light? Get one of those.

 

[virgil2090]

i am not sure how fast they grow,but they get huge! i have hooked them while fresh-water fishing,easily 3-4 foot head to tail.i would research this more with the "natives section"

 

[ab positive bulldogs]

Thanks for the help guys! I did this quick set up in one day...This weekend I will get some gravel for the bottom and a shallow filter so he doesn't struggle so much to breathe

King Koopa!

 

[livebearerfreak]

empty out half the water, get a gravel pit going so that he can reach the surface or atleast get out of the water. also need basking light to.

 

[ab positive bulldogs]

Thanks! Thats the plan for the weekend!