Red-eared slider turtles!?!?!?!

I have a baby red-eared slider in a 30? gallon tank at home... He/She is the cutest little thing! I've had him for a few months now, eats alot! Very healthy!

I just wanted to post on here and see who else has/did have a red eared slider????

Have you took a peek at the turtle thread?

There's a lot of people on here with RESs, but I suppose most of them don't really want to talk about that pet? Feather and furry stuff gets more ooo's and ah's or something.

I did have a RES when I was younger. She was a cute little girl that would get all excited when I came home from school. Forget dogs coming to greet you, nothing has ever shown the enthusiasm that turtle did. I think it was because I did get her out daily, to hold, pet, and let her walk around.

How big is your RES and what sort of set up do you have?
Any pics?

I have three red eared sliders... they are such great pets, and soo cute.

We have 2 red eared sliders! They are big (6 inches?) and in a 55 gallon tank.

Originally Posted by Jenny82

We have 2 red eared sliders! They are big (6 inches?) and in a 55 gallon tank.

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You really need a minimum of 10 gallons per inch of turtle, anything smaller strains filters and isn't enough room.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

You really need a minimum of 10 gallons per inch of turtle, anything smaller strains filters and isn't enough room.

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Oh really? My husband is supposed to be the turtle expert (they are his), I will have to let him know. Thank you!

Originally Posted by strange_wings

You really need a minimum of 10 gallons per inch of turtle, anything smaller strains filters and isn't enough room.

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So basically for those two you would need a 120 gallon??

Originally Posted by sharky

So basically for those two you would need a 120 gallon??

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Pretty much. Using glass aquariums at that scale gets to be very daunting. Just imagine cleaning it out, something that must be done from time to time.

There are alternatives, some I discussed in a thread about what other animals people have and the rest in the turtle thread that's back a page.

Hey, I live in Oklahoma, too, Strange Wings.



My turtles are all less than 2.5 inches.
I do have them in a tank that is a little too small.

It's a 30 gallon long tank. But we keep it really clean, and it has a floating dock.. so they have a good amount of swimming room.

Plus, on warm days, we put them outside.. and they love it.

Hopefully soon, my honey is going to build a large acrylic tank for them.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Pretty much. Using glass aquariums at that scale gets to be very daunting.

Just imagine cleaning it out, something that must be done from time to time.

There are alternatives, some I discussed in a thread about what other animals people have and the rest in the turtle thread that's back a page.

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I will get to searching.

Originally Posted by oceanroar

Hopefully soon, my honey is going to build a large acrylic tank for them.

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Dig up that turtle thread too. Plan for RESs to get to a max of 12 inches, for females.

Since you like in OK I'm sure you've seen stock tanks and some of plastic ones and liners. If there's an Atwoods in your area, they usually have them sitting out front.
These are generally high quality plastics that can take UVB (since they're supposed to be outside). You can make some very neat alternative indoor enclosures that don't require a big heavy aquarium set up.

I've always heard from other (more experienced than I) RED slider owners that they only grow as big as the tank you have them in?

I'm totally not arguing because you definitely know more than I do.


How is your tank up set up? How many turtles do you have?

Originally Posted by oceanroar

I've always heard from other (more experienced than I) RED slider owners that they only grow as big as the tank you have them in?

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That's one of the craziest turtle myths! An animal is going to grow to the size that it's genes tell it to grow. Whether it's a dog, cat, turtle, or human. Environment does not change genetics like that.
However, as is the case for all animals, malnutrition can stunt growth as well as cause a plethora of other health problems.

Originally Posted by oceanroar

How is your tank up set up? How many turtles do you have?

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I keep ornate box turtles they're outside in their pens. 8x11 foot for my male and 5x8 foot for my babies... who are officially a year old now so would actually be called juveniles.