steve wrote:Hi mangosoda, welcome to the forum! At their age, and possibly being females, they will require a lot of space, you might even be looking at a 300 gallon tank in the future. Since a glass aquarium that size is very expensive, many people use stock tanks and create a pond-like environment for them. They are probably already too small for a 40 gallon (I'm not sure of your budget, but a new 40 gallon should roughly cost about $40). So instead of incremental upgrades which will be a lot of work and more expensive, many people just jump ahead to a "forever" home. I'm not saying you have to do that but it's something to consider. A stock tank can also be used outdoors, so need for special lighting and heating (depending on your location).
litefoot wrote:Hello and welcome !
Look's like girls to me too. If both get to adult size 12" each you are looking at a big tank. For every inch of shell 10 gallons of water alone pulse basking area ! Both get 12" each that's 24" of turtle and a minimum of 240 gallons water alone. You are lucky two female can go in same tank whereas if one was male you would have to separate one day ! Then two large tanks. I use stock tanks and for outer side I wrap them in bamboo blinds for windows , cut to size. Looks pretty good and the inside you can do so much more than a glass aquarium . Make it look like you have an indoor pond ! As Steve said a 40 gallon will still be small even today. Even a 40 gallon for each today would work but another upgrade will be coming very soon. Think about the adult size tank for both and save some money on those small upgrades.
litefoot wrote:With two of everything for two 40's that would cost more. Turtles at 4" each that's 40 gallons water alone each.
Two males will just fight for territory , dominance. One each , male would put aggressive pressure on female to mate and she could hurt the male. Two females normally get along OK. That's if enough room is given.
What I mean about another upgrade soon is , 40 gallons each is what they need today. How turtles grow fast it will not be long it will be out grown.
You don't truly need 80 gallons but anything smaller you will have more maintenance. Turtles need 3-5x's flow rate than fish on a filter. With a smaller tank I would say the larger the filter the better , that would help some with the maintenance. And you know how we all love to that maintenance. Also you with a smaller tank may have to do more water changes than you want. Larger water volume can handle more , being less maintenance but still maintenance.
At 4" each save some money over time and go with an adult size tank as soon as you can.
Turtle on left is female , one on right (?) female , looks female. Can you get pictures of claws on that one so we /you know exactly what you will need as final home. Better pictures of claws and tail on both will not hurt.
steve wrote:I don't think it would take much to protect them outside. Secure some hardware cloth or chicken wire for a screen and that's mostly it. If you have the space and weather for it, I would probably do it that way.
steve wrote:How cold does your winter get and how hot does your summer get? Rain shouldn't be a huge issue. You should still get a filter, but you won't need a heater (probably) or any special UV lighting.
litefoot wrote:Since you said outdoors is a no due to the shepherd lets talk indoors. A good large glass tank 250-300 gallons can cost 1800-2 thousand alone. And yes you want a good one think if you had cheap and leaked 300 gallons in your house ??? Placement for easy maintenance too ! Also a filter that actually works for that size. That's were a stock tank comes in , $150 or less for a 150 gallon and $300 or less for 300 gallon and will last forever. Wisk Hurricane Katrina didn't take all my pictures and house and turtles... I used a large floor rug on the wall and framed it in as a background. Some tall low light plants around a 300 galloon stock tank filled all the way with a large basking area. Made a shield around rim for safety / escape proof. Tank itself used bamboo fencing wrapped around it and all looked great ! Filter I had two Pondmasters modified for three turtle's. All under $500 with a little "DIY".
Money I have a budget for going out to eat , I also have a budget for Piggley. And Yes money comes into play for all.
If it was me , yes a filter like an Fluval FX6 is a Must , large media and flow ! Setup media for a turtle ( see under equipment / media setup ) . Since most people like glass as a show tank and not a pond setting // say on sale a glass 120 gallon filled all the way with an "ATBA". Can find $1 a gallon sales at LPS's [sometimes] that size if not how about used display tank on sale . That can work and hope your girls don't grow to a full 12" each , maybe a final adult home ? Depending on how elaborate you make the "ATBA you with a little "DIY" keep it around $600. Yes 120 is small ( goes against what I like to do - 300 gallon) but if they get along great and stay small it could work. Also a good maintenance schedule helps ! Take you time and shop around it will save you money ! Few more day's or weeks won't hurt.
An "ATBA does not have to be fancy to look good. Instead of using plexiglass all the way around the rim you can use a good wood for the back and sides and plexiglass only on the front to see your turtles. Paint the wood or glue a background on all three sides for looks. To give plenty of swimming room use a large cork (floating ) for a basking area. A pile of rocks would take up to much swimming room. Being 120 tank I would install say two braces on top like already on some tanks for extra support then for extra safety clamp it to rim of tank ( home made clamps ). No basking box to build no ramps to make. Depending on style of the 120 you may get you could offer a 3' long basking area if both on it at same time , plenty room for adults , some of those tanks are 5' long so you have the space. That would cost under $50 ! Keep it simple and make it look nice.
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