First of all at some big chain pet stores the worker's have no idea and or training when it comes to pets . They are there for a pay check ! Are told what to say and what to sell... You know More at a young age than they may ever know on turtles . People forgot how to do homework and learn. You should be Proud of yourself ! Me as an old man never stop learning. Keep it up through out your life.
Here's a web site I'm using just for the pictures of some plants :
https://theaquariumplant.com/product-ca ... ts/page/3/Also a link for SAFE aquatic plants :
http://www.redearslider.com/plants.htmlSometimes on EBay you can find some deals too.
At times turtles how fast they eat cough them up. Even with Piggley at 5" I feed one at a time , if I throw all at once he will do his best to get all in his mouth at once. It's instinct from the wild never knowing where the next meal will come from or competition. When I had babies I would soak the food in tank water first to soften it up to be easy to swallow for them.
Unfortunately some turtle's never get one on one time with a owner. Yes they want a pet but never spend time with them. Feeding time is a chore to them , poor turtle. I feed one stick at a time gives me and Piggley more and better time together. I keep a chair next to the tank I read to him I play with him. He's a member of the family ! He knows his name , like today I had him in his other tank while I did my full maintenance. He was cutting up , I just call to him and he stops. He's spoiled always wants to be near. Most of the time I leave him in for regular maintenance and he try's to help. As I scoop out things he helps to push the net or may even try to take something out. Move an air line , if he doesn't want it there he digs it up and moves it. In time I learned he was telling me where to put it and when I put it where he wants it he stops digging it up. I make a cave he knock's it down and try's to move it. I put it where he wants and all is good. Today he's strong enough he just moves things to his liken. I never change a tank fully I always leave two or three things that he loves the same. Make's him more comfortable ! That's why I like stock tank's give room to do things that can not be done in a glass tank. Observe well and you will see the expressions a turtle have and personalities they do show. And at times the Look's if I don't respond fast to what he's trying to tell me. Observing Piggley he jumps , so I made part of basking area about 5" above the water. When he wakes up he dives off it several times , everyday ! Going out for the Olympic dive team ? Yours may be young yet but what better time to start , when he's older things will be great. He'll remember that giant thing outside his tank that always gave him food and played with him took care of him.
Sorry for the long post I just love Piggley he's a member of my family !!!