Is this the best I can do for my baby slider turtles?

[maverick786us]

I am new to turtle world I have a pair of baby turtles, and I bought this tank for them.




The boys are enjoying their new home. I provided them basking area, I feed them twice a day, the filter is on 24 X 7, the Ultra Violet light is turned 12-14 hours a day. I clean the tank every week and change water. Like Aquarium Is it possible to have a substrate layer with nitrifying bacteria that will break down ammonia and clean the water for the turtle in a tank like this?

 

[Yvonne G]

Turn the tank around so the cord isn't draped across the water, and try to figure out a way to hang the light so it points straight down. Hang it over the landing dock. gravel would make it pretty hard for you to change/clean the water.

 

[wellington]

The basking light needs to be over the dry dock area.
You can keep their home cleaner by feeding them in a separate container. They do need water to eat though, so be sure to fill the feeding box with water, a heater and let it sit over night before using.
Also, do you realize they get really really big and will need a pond not an aquarium?

 

[EppsDynasty]

Great advice given so far, I would just add 1 x a day feeding not 2 is what I've always done. Also the amount fed is in small amounts, if it is not eaten in 4 hours I remove it.
I say 4 hours due to most babies such as yours get a little shy or scared so I give them plenty of time to eat.

 

[mark1]

Like Aquarium Is it possible to have a substrate layer with nitrifying bacteria that will break down ammonia and clean the water

absolutely........ you just need familiar with different methods and ways of filtering water..... external filters, undergravel filters....... i've had many external filters that held more water than the tank itself......

 

[maverick786us]

The basking light needs to be over the dry dock area.
You can keep their home cleaner by feeding them in a separate container. They do need water to eat though, so be sure to fill the feeding box with water, a heater and let it sit over night before using.
Also, do you realize they get really really big and will need a pond not an aquarium?

I tried feeding them in separate container when I recently brought them, but I have realized that they didn't touch it, they eat only when I throw the food in water and they see it floating they catch it. And yes I don't feed them much, 4 grains of brown food and 2 grains of green one

 

[maverick786us]

The basking light needs to be over the dry dock area.
You can keep their home cleaner by feeding them in a separate container. They do need water to eat though, so be sure to fill the feeding box with water, a heater and let it sit over night before using.
Also, do you realize they get really really big and will need a pond not an aquarium?

Right now they are too small (size of a coin), inside a pond they will become food. Once they reach 15 inch or above, I will look for a pond for them or I will buy a customized fish thank with capacity of 100 gallon

 

[maverick786us]

absolutely........ you just need familiar with different methods and ways of filtering water..... external filters, undergravel filters....... i've had many external filters that held more water than the tank itself......

I have a 50 Gallon fish tank with beautiful aquascape. I am just waiting for the tank to cycle and roots to take firm grip before adding my Oranda Goldfish.

From my knowledge all I know is a cycled tank only needs 10%-20% change in water once in an year. I am not sure if it works the same way with turtles. I change the whole water every week, wash clean the tank and fill the water. I live in an apartment with limited space otherwise I would have tried a 100 gallon tank with beautiful aquascape that has more length and width with a basking tray for these turtles and some fishes to give them company.