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New Guy

PostPosted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 1:42 pm
by Steveg
Hi all

I'm new to the forum also new to turtles, we have re-homed a three year old turtle from a friend of my wife's as her daughter whose turt it was is going to college

We think its a he but were told he was female Murt or Mertyl depending on gender is about six inches, he was kept in a 3' x 1' tank with about 4 1/2" of water, with a hai yang florescent light as his only lighting and the basking area a 4" tall artifical rock

We have bought him a zoo med doc which he is a bit heavy for as he sinks into the water a bit, also got him a heat lamp which he loves finally, were increasing the water depth slowly as we filled it a bit to much when we got him two weeks ago and he freaked out,

Any suggestions would be appreciated im sure i will have a ton of questions

Cheers Steve

Re: New Guy

PostPosted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 11:23 am
by steve
Welcome Steve! Congrats on the rescue, I wish more take your path. He does sound like a she, and gradual changes are usually a good way to introduce new thing.

How big is the tank currently?

Re: New Guy

PostPosted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 11:53 am
by Steveg
Hi Steve

The current tank is 3' long 1' wide and 15" high, were looking for bigger one as i think he needs more room thinking of 4' long 16" wide and 15" high,

Hope he's not a she as i understand they get really big

Re: New Guy

PostPosted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 12:15 pm
by steve
So that's approximately 22 gallons, the other size would be 50 gallons. Females need more space, you can look at 55 gallons (for $55 new when on sale here in the US) but you can get good deals on used tanks 55-100 gallons. You can also get something unconventional like a stock tank. It won't look as good as an aquarium, but it has its advantages (cost and durability).

Can you post pics if you need help sexing him/her?