Turtle Questions

[Hawkins]

hiya,
i am interested in getting 1 or 2 musk turtles.
i have a 125L tank, which i plan on half filling and getting some new gravel
the filter i have is unsuitable so i was hoping you could suggest one that would stay under the water line, as i do not want it to trickle loudly as it is in my bedroom and i would not be able to sleep if it was.

also wondering if i could have a few fish in the tank. i have read that musk turtles rarely bask so that means i could put more water in the tank. that would give more room for fish
thanks


also... would i need a UV light? because they dont bask much does this mean i dont need it?
if i do need the UV light then can i just change the bulb to a UV bulb? or am i just stupid

thanks

 

[three-fingers]

I read that musk turtles don't bask that much too, but after getting them in at the lfs a couple of times, I can see differently now. I would certainly provide a basking spot, a regular heat bulb (I find red ones just look slly and are a waste of time) pointing at a bit of rock or bogwood (make sure its wet) would be enough.

They don't need UV, but it's a wise idea to provide it anyway. Doesnt have to be a high amount, a 2% or 5% trip light woul dbe enough just to be safe.

Filter wise, you could go with an internal like a Fluval 4+ on it's side when they are young, but two adult turtles (even musks) are going to need an external to keep that water clean. Aim for one that can do about 2x the size of the tank (not 2x the volume of water).

Options are things like a Fluval 205 or 305, Tetratec Ex700, an Ehiem Classic 2215/2217, an Eheim Pro 2224...and so on.

These filters are all pretty much silent and you would position the inlet/outlet below the water line.

 

[Spishkey]

DO NOT put gravel in a tank with a turtle, any turtle. if it eats it, it will cause a blockage and the turtle will die. either have a bare bottomed tank or use large river rocks on the bottom.

 

[three-fingers]

I've always felt people get a little too paranoid about substrate.

I think sand and/or dirt are best for turtle tanks (depending on how its set up) just because it allows the turtles to dig if they want to.
Big pebbles are good too, and go well with the above substrates.
Gravel isnt that bad, depends on how you feed the turtles, most people use it and have no trouble with it, turtles don't die from eating gravel that often in nature. Just be sensible, and don't feed small things like cubes of bloodworm or bits of fish on the gravel, because the cahnaces are over the years you have the turtle it may accidentally eat a bit of gravel while trying to get to the food.

So if you want gravel, be sensible with it.
I don't like gravel because I think it looks bad.

 

[Davo86]

also wondering if i could have a few fish in the tank. i have read that musk turtles rarely bask so that means i could put more water in the tank. that would give more room for fish
thanks

Most things have already been covered, but one thing I will add is that it isn't a good idea to mix them in with fish,

I have told this to too many customers, but still I have found them returning fish (mainly plecos and catfish) that are barely alive having being half eaten by their musks