I am beginning to think that I would like to set up a turtle tank. I have a 55 that is the planned tank. The turtles would have access to dry land and a basking lamp in the tank. I would like to have a red-eared slider and a common musk turtle as the inhabitants (both males). I might also have some goldfish in there to help keep the tank clean. I know turtles need sunlight to stay healthy but I would like to avoid spending the extra money on a fixture with UV lighting. If I were to place the tank near a window that recieves indirect sunlight about 5 hours during the day. Is this enouph to keep them healthy?
Turtle tank placement
- Thread starter Plantedtank12
- Start date
Well for starters that tank will be too small to house both those turtles for life. Second, glass/windows filter out UVB/UVA light so you will have to have some type of basking light AND UV lighting on this aquarium if you want healthy turtles. But just know that Musk/Mud Turtles don't need UV lighting but it never hurts. Basking Turtles such as RES on the other hand definitely need UV lighting.
A RES is a terrible idea for that setup; they grow too large, gladly tear up fish and plants, and have a larger UVB requirement than Musks.
If there is any glass or plastic between light (sun or UVB lamp), then the UV rays are filtered out, making it inefficient.
A single Musk turtle would maybe do okay in the setup, but should have easy access to the basking area, and would honestly do better in a setup by themselves, without goldfish.
Best,
Paul
If there is any glass or plastic between light (sun or UVB lamp), then the UV rays are filtered out, making it inefficient.
A single Musk turtle would maybe do okay in the setup, but should have easy access to the basking area, and would honestly do better in a setup by themselves, without goldfish.
Best,
Paul
Instead of a slider, look for a map, or maybe a southern painted, they stay way smaller. The fish will be killed either way though, and goldfish would make more of a mess than they would clean.
And as others have said, you are going to need a lamp. Not just for the UV, but for the heat these turtles need to regulate body temp.
And as others have said, you are going to need a lamp. Not just for the UV, but for the heat these turtles need to regulate body temp.
Goldfish are pretty dirty! Not really cleaner fish. And as everyone said already, u gotta have UV for basking turtles.