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Post by melissa on Jan 24, 2012 20:40:12 GMT
Hi there I was pointed here by Wayne and have been having a look round for a bit of advice before I go ahead and get some turtles. I am hoping to adopt a small group of Musk or other small turtles. I wish to keep these indoors and have them as part of the family. I want to do my research before I go ahead and get some. What size tank would people recommend? Also there appears to be different kinds of basking areas and lighting set ups so if anyone has any advice to what has worked for them that would be great. Also what type of filter do you guys use? I'm a relatively experienced tropical fish owner with a 200l tank and use a Fluval 205 external filter and have a Fluval 1 internal filter hanging around spare at the moment and a 35l elite tank and didn't know if these were the right start to my equipment or of I should start from scratch? Sorry for the essay I just want to give turtles the best life possible if i decide to adopt some. Thanks Melissa
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Post by turtlegirl on Jan 24, 2012 21:09:08 GMT
Welcome to the Forum Melissa and well done for taking time to do your research and prepare a proper setup before bringing your little ones home. Musks are cute and funny to watch plus they remain small so you can keep a few in a species tank. Wayne often has musks looking for new adoptive parents and I recommend getting 100% healthy musks from Turtle Rescue rather than a breeder. Regarding setup 1, 35 l is too small for an adult but OK for one or two baby musks. I would recommend a 30 gallon or 3ft tank. That way you can have a little colony, maybe up to 2 males and 2 or 3 females. You could even have a pair of common musks and a pair of razorbacks. 2.Fluval 1 is OK for a small musk but you will need a Fluval 3 or 4 for a few adults My musk setup with 4 adults has a 800l/hr internal filter with spray bar. I do 50% weekly water changes too as musks are messy eaters 3. Basking area-yes musks do bask, I spot mine basking every day and sometimes they even sleep out of water on top of their log. I highly recommend getting an Exoterra floating log which is unsinkable and requires no attachments.They are hollow logs weighted so they float partly submerged. Largest size is best, good enough for 4 adults. They are brilliant, serving as a dry basking area on top, playground (mine love playing hide and seek swimming in and out of side holes) and a quiet place to rest. Cute to see them chilling out, lying inside log entrance with their long necks stretched out like a snorkel so nostrils just reach the surface. 4. Feeding - mine like Turtle Rescue pellets and dried shrimps, JMC sinking catfish pellets and live nerite snails(grown in my fish tanks) to crunch as a snack treat. Never managed to get them to eat any veg
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Post by melissa on Jan 24, 2012 22:15:07 GMT
Thank you for your advice. I am now on the looking out for a 3ft tank, hopefully I will be able to pick one up close by on Ebay. I'm glad my fella is sympathetic to my aquatic hobby he is forever being dragged around fish shops at the weekend! The Exoterra log sounds just what Im looking for so i think I will definately go for one of them as well. What sort of heater do they require? I was just worried about the turtles climbing on it and getting burnt, also I know my fish heater has to be completly submergered, is that the case with turtle tank heaters?
Thanks for all the advice, hopefully I will be able to get myself set up soon so I can talk about adoption
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Post by turtlegirl on Jan 24, 2012 22:48:58 GMT
I use a normal fish tank 200W heater. You can get unbreakable metal heaters, cost more than glass but cheaper on Ebay. Most of my turtle tanks just have ordinary glass heaters but the slider tank has a black plastic "cage" over the heater tp protect turtles.(also from Ebay) You should add a few drops of methylene blue to the turtle tank every week, acts as a disinfectant to protect against bacterial infection (Wayne recommends this)
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Post by jacquisunderland on Jan 26, 2012 21:56:42 GMT
Hiya Melissa... welcome to the forum and the ever growing family here at turtle rescue... as turtlegirl was saying its brilliant that you are taking so much time in researching turtles before endevouring to get some, I only wish more people would follow your example. Although musk turtles do not grow as big as other species of turtles such as the red ear sliders or yellow bellies, where two adults need at least a four foot tank, I would suggest that you get the biggest size tank possible especially as you intend to get a few. Be cautious in the use of meth blue.. I still use it from time to time for medicional purposes to treat some of my ailing rescues but Wayne warned me and it is hurrendous stuff to work with as it stains everything it comes in contact with.. I have a new splash and drip pattern on my dining room carpets.. well I say dining room.. it used to be .. its full of tanks of turtles now.. even on my table..lol! Are well.. I hardly ever used it any way. I use King British Turtle and Terrapin Water Freshner now, its about the same price and more easy to obtain X
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Post by turtlegirl on Jan 27, 2012 0:25:51 GMT
Know what you mean My living room is now a turtle sanctuary, as is my bedroom and spare room - tanks everywhere! Been using met blue for over a year and managed to avoid staining anything (except fingers) My secret? Open the bottle over the tank so any drips go in the water not on the carpet. Place some old newspaper or kitchen towel nearby to keep the stopper on.
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Post by jacquisunderland on Jan 30, 2012 18:38:01 GMT
hiya... the stains are not from the bottle, they are from the diluted splashes when filling the tanks up or from my bucket of the water with it in. My vet also told me to only use it occasionally as it is toxic and there have been no conclusive tests on its long term effect on humans... great news about the cheap internal filters.. I'm definitely going to invest in some a.s.a.p , I have just bought a new one which only does 700 l and it cost me £35 . xx
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