Other Turtle Discussion :: Help! Brand New RES Turtle Owner.

[myeeyore174]

I am an owner to a i want to say 5 years old or younger RES turtle. i have a 24 gallon tank with a basking area, lights, etc. i just want to know since i only have one RES is a 24 gallon tank enough space including basking area? i know the minimum is 10 but i just want to know from other RES turtle owners. thanks so much![/b]

[ellman605]

The minimum space is 10 per shell inch. I say upgrade to a larger tank, preferably a 90-120 gallon depending on the sex.

[missibsu]

I'd stick as close to the 10 gallon rule as possible. I kind of look at it like this...you have a whole house, but you are only allowed to live in one room. Everything you do is in that room, eat, bathroom, etc. It's going to get pretty nasty. Also, the larger the tank, the easier it is to keep clean, the less frequent the water changes.

[industrial_girl_2000]

10 gallons per inch.....for your 5 inch turtle that is 5x10 = 50 gallons tank size minimum, and this little turt is only going to grow bigger from there! So the bigger the tank you can get, the better.