First of all, I want to thank all of you that run and participate in redslider.com and Turtle Talk. Because of the information I have received on this site, my RES, Squirt, is doing GREAT. I should say, great now as the information I received from 3 different pet stores in my area where DEAD wrong.
As for the rant, I am VERY annoyed that the information that these pet stores provided could have cost me the life of my little swimming friend. How many people have lost turtles because of such outright incompetence or greed? I am not sure which.
A few things I was told:
RES don't really need a basking area
A simple incadesent like was plenty for a RES
A little internal filter (designed for 5-15 gallon tank) was all the filteration I needed for my 30 gallon tank(because they don't actually breath the water like fish) and filteration is not that important.
RES are a low maintaince pet
ETC, ETC, ETC
If Pet stores are going to provide information such as this, I will NEVER again feel guilty educating myself on-line and buying equipment and food on-line for the best possible price.
I would be quite interested in what so called information others have received.
END OF RANT
Again, thank you redslider.com !
Michael