General Care Discussion :: New turtle owner

Taking care of your turtle's overall health.

Post Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 3:16 pm   New turtle owner

Hello, I’m a new turtle owner. I got my turtle about 5 months ago. I’ll be honest I was misinformed and gullible on what turtle care entailed. However, I’ve done my best to provide for this little guy and read a lot online. Just looking for some feedback on how I’m doing. He was just a bright green baby when I got him. Prolly hatched in 2017. I have him in a 50 gal breeder. I fill half way or so. Two platforms; one of which he’s getting a bit big for already so I made sure the bigger one is in his basking area. Basking keeps 90-95 degrees. And a long reptisun 10.0 uvb light I usually keep on 8+ hours a day. And a pond filter. I’ve been looking at EHEIM canister filters. I try to do 25-50% water changes weekly. And was told to tear the whole thing down and clean it all with bleach or vinegar monthly (except the filters; rinse them in tank water.) and change 100% of the water. I’m thinking now that may not be necessary? I was feeding him 4-5 pellets twice a day. As he’s grown I’ve seen tons of recommendations. Recently purchased food for “young” turtles 2-5 inches since I ran out of his baby pellets. I see tons of variations saying feed the size of their head. 2/3 the size of their head, and no idea how many times a day? Is twice too many? He hasn’t shed any of his shell that I’ve noticed. I hope he isn’t starting the pyramid thing...
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Sealya617
 
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Post Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 3:49 pm   Re: New turtle owner

Hi, feel free to start using adult pellets (Omega One is highly recommended). I would also feed less (maybe 1/4 or 1/3 head size daily) and make sure no one is feeding him too. You can start veggies too and cut back on protein.

For water changes, I would say do 1/2 a change minimum every 2-4 weeks. You will to need to decide based on how your tank responds. For adequate filters, 4-8 weeks though you might want to replace carbon monthly or prefilter your water.

No need to clean the tank with bleach or vinegar monthly, or in general really.
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steve
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Post Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 7:30 pm   Re: New turtle owner

Thanks! I was getting frustrated but now I’m getting excited for him again. We have pretty good well water. (I base that on my skin, and cloth diaper laundry, I’ve felt WAY worse well water) I also have an RO system but it only makes a couple gallons at a time.
Sealya617
 
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Post Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 8:46 pm   Re: New turtle owner

Would a whole-house filter work for you? viewtopic.php?f=9&t=33171
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steve
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Post Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 10:38 pm   Re: New turtle owner

That is interesting. I didn’t realize it was a thing. Replacing carbon doesn’t seem that expensive though and I’m trying to simply My tank cleaning routine. I have a house full of boys...I swear I never stop cleaning.
Sealya617
 
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Post Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 11:57 pm   Re: New turtle owner

If you buy a couple of bags and the carbon in bulk, you will save a great deal of money. As for simplify... I think that's the key. A house filter could make it a bit easier because it's one of the things you don't have to think about after you set it up.
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steve
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Post Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 8:27 pm   Re: New turtle owner

So wait, does it install to my plumbing? I was thinking it just connected to my python during water changes
Sealya617
 
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Post Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 1:35 am   Re: New turtle owner

Yeah, you can do it that way.
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steve
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Post Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 3:21 am   Re: New turtle owner

About cleaning your tank and 100% water changes, if you can avoid it it's always better, usually if you have a bit of algae just use a sponge or paintbrush, the filter should be able to take care of it :)
Ever since I got my 45 gallon, I've been a fan of homemade filters as well. Check out Steff J on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsWwd1 ... hyCUkPN63w
She has a couple of videos where you see how she does it. Seem to me it works pretty fine!
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