I Want A Turtle. :)

[kevinthecow]

So, these past days i've been thinking of a 55g tank. I wanted to get a bala in here, with another one possibly, and look into Columbian Sharks. Well, now I've been joked around about how I have/had frogs, crayfish, shrimps, fish, and a shark. (Bala's aren't really sharks, but my friends go through denial there. )
'Why don't you have any turtles, eh?'

That got me. I thought a little, and wondered if I could upgrade each one of my fish, into a 55g. Then, a 29g for turtles. Now, if I were to do this, what turtles, and why? I do know how they have basking turtles, water temp's should be around 76's, and basking areas would be mid 80's, to low 90's.

I've rummaged through youtube, finding Musk turtles, YBS, and RES.

Which is better? Musk are smaller, and I think RES are a tie with YBS in size. (not sure, )
How much would fit in the 29g? Or is the tank waay too small for a healthy turtles life? Ive been told RES, and YBS water levels should be around 10" taller then their backs, but musk like shallower water to sleep. (Gee, lets hope i'm not getting bad information.)

 

[Spishkey]

So, these past days i've been thinking of a 55g tank. I wanted to get a bala in here, with another one possibly, and look into Columbian Sharks. Well, now I've been joked around about how I have/had frogs, crayfish, shrimps, fish, and a shark. (Bala's aren't really sharks, but my friends go through denial there. )
'Why don't you have any turtles, eh?'

That got me. I thought a little, and wondered if I could upgrade each one of my fish, into a 55g. Then, a 29g for turtles. Now, if I were to do this, what turtles, and why? I do know how they have basking turtles, water temp's should be around 76's, and basking areas would be mid 80's, to low 90's.

I've rummaged through youtube, finding Musk turtles, YBS, and RES.

Which is better? Musk are smaller, and I think RES are a tie with YBS in size. (not sure, )
How much would fit in the 29g? Or is the tank waay too small for a healthy turtles life? Ive been told RES, and YBS water levels should be around 10" taller then their backs, but musk like shallower water to sleep. (Gee, lets hope i'm not getting bad information.)

the best place to get the CORRECT turtle info on all kinds of turtle........ google " The happy turtle pub"

fantastic place who have helped me with my cumberland slider. turtles need a LARGE tank due to the size most grow and the mess they make! you will also need a heat lamp a uva/b lamp, a dry dock and plenty fresh veg/varied diet to ensure fantastic health!

 

[prankster705]

The sliders grow too big for a 29 gallon and need at least 55 gallons for one adult.

Also, balas are too big for a 55 gallon.

 

[kevinthecow]

Would musk's do well, then?

Yeah, and I know about the bala shark thing. I'll try to grow it large, and sell it back/trade it for a turtle, or give it to a community tank, that is large enough.

it deserves better, I know. But my mom insists me keeping it, I don't want too though. ):

And back to my question, would a musk turtle work?

Also, @spish. I do know about the lamps, docking, and diet things. (Research. )

I just need to know about like, what turtle IS suitable for the 29g. (108l, i think)

 

[prankster705]

Dunno about musk turtles, google it .

 

[aaronnorth]

To work out what size tank you need you must ensure the tank can hold a minimum of 40 litres of water per an inch of shell length (not thw whole length) for the largest turtle, plus 20 Litres per an inch for each additional turtle. Not forgetting that you will need to leave a space on top so the turtles can climb out and bask!

Quite a lot of room needed! So your 130l tank will hold a 4" SCL turtle, and that is filling it to the brim, so you would have to get some docking stations that go above the tank.

 

[kevinthecow]

okay, so per 1" on the shell..?

My tank says 29g, but the dimensions are 30x18x20.

(108l, i think) And, 40l per extra turtle? ; + The basking area. How much water should be filled? 75%?

 

[kevinthecow]

• Common Musk ( Sternotherus odoratus) - 3 - 4.9 inches
• Razor-backed Musk ( Sternotherus carinatus ) - 3 - 6.3 inches
• Flattened Musk ( Sternotherus depressus) 3 - 4.5 inches
• Loggerhead Musk ( Sternotherus minor ) - 3 - 5.3 inches


That's what I found from a site. anyone know a price check on these?

 

[aaronnorth]

okay, so per 1" on the shell..?

My tank says 29g, but the dimensions are 30x18x20.

(108l, i think) And, 40l per extra turtle? ; + The basking area. How much water should be filled? 75%?

The first/ largest turtle = 40l of water per 1" of shell
Additional turtles = 20l of water per 1" of shell

so if you have 2 common musks @ 5" each, that is 200l for the first turtle, and 100l for the 2nd turtle = a 300l tank!

This is the problem a lot of people who want to keep turtles come across - a large tank for a small turtle.

You can fill the tank 75%, then have some docking stations, like this: http/www.fishpondinfo.com/photos/reptile...s/justtank2.jpg

Or you can have the tank full (like a fish tank) then have external docking stations like so: http/www.turtletimes.com/forums/uploads/...129_3_70429.jpg

A good website is Austin's Turtle page which contains all the info you need.

 

[Joshy]

I hate to disagree with a respected member here…

But a single Musk does not require a 200L to itself, and then 100L for every turtle after that. I think that is what you are saying anyway.

Unfortunately there is not much information on Musk turtles, for such a common turtle in the wild they can be a lot less commonly seen in the trade (in the UK anyway, not so sure about Canada). And although you can look at the care of more typical turtles for a general idea of care, you cant go by that for the sole care of Musks. Your best bet is to speak to a number of people who have kept or are keeping Musks, and build up your own information. No offence to the respected member above who may have kept musk turtles, I hope nothing personal is taken here.

I currently have 4 babies (2.5cm) in a 100L tank that is close to your dimensions. They will take between 2 to 4 years to mature and reach their full adult size. In that time they will get possibly a 200L to themselves, which is more than adequate. A lot of keepers of these told me that my 100L would have been fine for a couple for their life time.

If you want more information on Musk turtles let me know, I got plenty of built up knowledge to share and can put you through to a few other people. But by all means also gather others knowledge to make your own, through google and people/traders in your area.

 

[Davo86]

Here is an article that may be of some use to everyone regarding the common musk turtle, although i will admit that I disagree with some of the information regarding the homing of these turtles.

Personally my opinion is that a 29USG tank will happily accommodate 2 musk turtles for life provided filtration is adequate and water changes are regular however as with all aquatic animals and fish bigger is nearly always better. Common musks will rarely max 4 inches in size and as joshy says above this can take anywhere upto 4 years for them to reach this size.

with tank dimensions of 30x18x20, i see no reason why the tank is not suitable,
presuming 20 equates to the height then 14 inches of water filtered by 2 fluval 2s and a 50w heater will give plenty of swimming space, still allowing for a number of dry spots to be positioned above the waterline, Lastly a uvb tube can easily be inserted giving the turtles a totally adequate enclosure.

 

[aaronnorth]

All i am postng is basically the same as the 1" per gallon guideline (for fishkeeping, excluding fins). Obviously this is said to be stretched to 2" per gallon, and the same goes for keeping turtles, it can be stretched, and as always better to do with experience. I am posting information that i have gathered from various websites, and a large reptile forum, i can PM you the link if you want?
Not also forgetting that when i say 5" shell length (not necassarily the common Musk), it is possible for the whole length of the turtle to be 10" which as you can agree will need more swimming space, and is why a large tank is needed. Turtles produce more, and heavier poo than fishes (so it is advisable to get a stronger filter aswell) and water quality must be kept good (low nitrates), and of course this again is easier to achieve in a larger tank as tutles are more suceptible to disease

so when you think about having a 10" turtle (whole length) in a 200l tank - 36"(L) x 15"(D) x 18"(H) - there isnt actually as much room as it sounds.

More views are always better though and rules are there to be broken lol

 

[Davo86]

so when you think about having a 10" turtle (whole length) in a 200l tank - 36"(L) x 15"(D) x 18"(H) - there isnt actually as much room as it sounds.

but when you think of 2 fully grown four-inch turtles in a tank with a footprint of 30 inches x 18 inches it does appear to be quite roomy, correct?

 

[aaronnorth]

so when you think about having a 10" turtle (whole length) in a 200l tank - 36"(L) x 15"(D) x 18"(H) - there isnt actually as much room as it sounds.

but when you think of 2 fully grown four-inch turtles in a tank with a footprint of 30 inches x 18 inches it does appear to be quite roomy, correct?

yes 4" turtles would be fine, i was reffering to 10" turtles!

 

[kevinthecow]

Thanks guys!

I can't find any solid info on the musk turtle, though. Does anyone know a good site? Many sites have different opinions, or info.