Please help me I need advice.

[tempy519]

Okay so I am thinking about getting getting either one or two yellow bellied turtles ( Sorry I am really bad speller .) I know with all the forums I have read you need at least 75 gallon tank for you little buddy then you have to plus 20 more gallons for additional friends. I have came a crossed a web site that has what they call a "Penthouse" for the tanks. Were you can have the tank full of water then they can climb up to the "Pent House" where it is completely dry. So my question is since the bottom half will be just water and the top the basking area could I get a smaller tank and if so what would be the min I could get for just one turtle, and for two turtles? I want to keep them indoors because I do not live in a place were a pond is a smart idea because of the unknown weather changes threw out the year. Please help me ASAP!! I have a link to what I am talking about if you don't understand what I am saying.

www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Turtle-Penthouses?sc=2&category=16854

This is what the tanks would look like. Also any advice would be helpful I have been thinking about getting a turtle for over 10 years and I have done A LOT of research on the different types they have and I have decided the Yellow bellied turtle would be perfect for my home, I just need to know how big of a tank I would need for the Pent house tanks. thank you so much in advanced for your advice.

[turtlegirl]

The "penthouse" is an ATBA (above tank basking area) and an excellent idea to maximise space. The tank volumes stated are guidelines and actual space required depends on various factors including
1.sex - females are bigger than males
2. compatability3 turtles that get on and swim happily together need less space than 2 that fight continually and need a large tank with lots of hiding places or even a tank divider to separate them
3. filtration - a very powerful filter plus frequent water changes means that you can keep more turtles in a tank than the official guidelines state
Those of us that take in many unwanted turtles >20 often have to keep more in a tank than the guidelines indicate but as long as the water is clean, they have plenty of space to swim and they get on well with no fighting it's not a problem.
If you get a "penthouse" and you can make one yourself for a lot less than $200 - you can probably manage to keep 2 sliders in a 75gallon tank as long as you have a decent filter. That means an external filter or very powerful internal one. All Pond Solutions sell an excellent 1200l/hr filter for only £20 that is more than enough for 2 sliders.

If you really want 2 yellowbellies, some one on this Forum is desperately trying to find a home for 2 rescued ones. Perhaps you can adopt them. Yellowbellies make lovely pets. They are very tame and friendly, love to interact with humans -my favourite turtles.