Pet turtle

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Help !!!! My 8 year old daughter wants a turtle for her birthday - I know nothing about Turtles- any help would be appreciated. I tried to talk her into a nano reef - but she said it would be too much work for her to take care of - observant isn't she!!!

I figured someone may have some experience locally on were to buy one, advice on type ,etc. I know this has nothing to do with Salt water fish hobby- so posting this might be a "no, No" . BUT, have no where else to turn. I don't trust the pet stores for real solid advice regarding this sujbect.

Thanks,

a stressed father....
 
I think a box turtle would be OK. All you need is a breeder style tank (30 gallons) and basic lighting. They have them at Aquaworld.
 
Hi, Turtles need a basic tank like Pat said 40 breeder will be nice or a 75 gallon to start off with. I would recommend a red ear slider. It would need a submersible filter such as a duetto 100 or a fluval 4 plus depending on the size of the tank you go with. Also need a basking heat lamp and a water heater. The red ear sliders come in a 4" size. (it's illeagle to sell turtles under 4" by PA state law)

Jeff-
Aqua-World
 
I have two yellow bellied sliders. We have had them for 14 years. We got them as tiny babies with the yolk sack still attached. They were "free" with the purchase of a large can of turtle food. They are big as dinner plates now. They summer in my 1,500 gallon pond and slum it in a 75 gallon tank during winter.
 
There is a reptile show and sale every month at Harmar House in Cheswick, Pa. It is this Sunday (July 20) from 9 to 3 and there are usually people selling different kinds of turtles. People usually have red eared sliders and other turtles that are less than 4" in size - really cute turtles that your young daughter may enjoy.

Anyway... turtles are far more filthy than fish. It seems like they create ten times more poop than what we feed them! We have two red eared sliders in a 30 long with large rocks in it for them to climb up on. At first they were just cute and then they started to stink like crazy as they got about a year old. Their waste settled to the bottom and filled in around the rocks (not enough flow) and the hang on filter was getting filthy very quickly (undersized). We switched to a Fluval 303 canister filter I had lying around and that solved the problem. Use lots of carbon.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12950598#post12950598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lflint
Anyway... turtles are far more filthy than fish.
Click to expand...
Ditto! My 75 gallon has a large trickle filter on it and gets monthly 100% water changes.
 
Okay I'll chime in as the voice of reason here.

Tell her NO.

Seriously, turtles are sucky pets. You can also look at it as training. She's only 8 years from begging for a VW convertible and money for tattoos. You need to practice now.

S !
 
All those small pets (turtles, hamsters, rabbits or a guinea pigs) are deceiving when it comes to caring for them. I had a guinea pig for my kids when they were younger. That thing crapped as much as my English Springer does now. I was so happy when it croaked.

Here is a check list just in case you give in so you can let her compare the amount of work and decide...:D

You know who will end up cleaning the tank most of the time..:p

http://www.turtlecare.net/setup.htm
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12950651#post12950651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Python73
Okay I'll chime in as the voice of reason here.

Tell her NO.

Seriously, turtles are sucky pets. You can also look at it as training. She's only 8 years from begging for a VW convertible and money for tattoos. You need to practice now.

S !
Click to expand...

+1
 
yep - thanks everyonel - I showed the wife these posts and as much as she " enjoys" my reef tank it was obvous that she would be the one cleanign ou tthe turtle tank - It was great to have her read the EXACT comments I made from other sources. Now I just have to figure out what I can get her for her Bday that will make her forget the turtle.
 
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