Habitat - Indoor :: new tank

[starfish26]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I got my RES almost 6 months ago. It was a hatchling when we got it. We have it in a 20 gallon turtle kit that we purchased from Petsmart. Now we are looking to upgrade to a larger sized tank next month. I want this to be a lifetime tank for it so we are going big.

I was looking at the rule of thumb for turtles which said that we would need a 90-120 gallon tank. I'm not sure how large the turtle will get, nor can I tell if it's a male or a female. We found a 100 gallon tank that we are interested in purchasing from someone. Will that be large enough for the turtle? Should we hold out for a 120 gallon tank?

Also, when should we be able to tell if it's a male or a female? I have heard when they are at least 4 inches?

Thanks for the help

[ljapa]

Welcome! And it's great that you want to get the right sized tank now.

I also started with a 20 gallon kit. I opted to go with a 55 gallon as my next step while waiting to determine sex.

What are the dimensions on the 100 gallon? If it is a long tank and you plan on an ATBA and filling the tank fully and it is a long and not a high tank, a 100 gallon may work for a female, unless she grows to the extreme edge of the size range. It should certainly be fine for a male.

4" is the guide for definitive sexing. My RES wasn't a hatchling, but was very small when we got her. I had suspicions at 3" and was pretty sure at 3.5". I don't know that that would be true of all RES.

I say, if you have a good deal on a 100 gallon, go for it. If,in fact, you have a female that turns out to be big for that tank, you are so many years away from that worry that it's not worth thinking about. I suspect that if you do need a larger tank, your are looking at over a decade away, and by then you'll be willing to do it for a turtle you care for.

I've personally been watching Craigslist for a 180+ and the wife for the mood that would let me get it.

I figure I have some time.

[Kansasslider]

I agree with ljapa. Get the tank your looking at.