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i gonna get a res what size tank is good for it

L

lilred

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hey all i'm new i'm going to get a res here in a while and was wondering what size tank i should get it and what kind of filter should i get plz help
 
The bigger the better. Res' love to swim and are very good at it. So you need to get as big of a tank as you can. And whatever tank size you get, get a bigger filter for it. Always remember bigger the better.
 
Size does matter

:) I work at a petstore and people are always surprised by the logistics of an appropriately designed aquatic turtle habitat. Most people want to get RES hatchlings that look really cute but then morph into bigger adults in a few years that eat alot and produce a lot of poop. Unfortunately, most are released into the wild after the owners get tired of water changes and the swampy smell. I dont mean to discourage anyone, and I love turtles- I have several myself- just be prepared to invest in a proper environment.
 
For a baby hatchling, I would start out in a 50 gallon tank. Adults are best in a pond.
 
I think I heard about 10 gallons per inch of turtle. I'd say that's a minimum. A 10" adult should have a 120 Gallon min. or a pond.
 
I realize this post is a bit old but I get this question a lot and figure this question is nearly always relevant. A good rule of thumb for a bare minimum tank is 10 gallons per inch of turtle plus another 15-20%. The extra 15-20% is to allow for enough room at the top for a basking area. Keep in mind that female RES can grow to be 12", 13" for the really large individuals. So if you won't be able to afford a 140 gallon tank in the future you will either need to go with a poly stock tank or a small pond.

If maintaining a tank that size or pond seems like too much trouble then perhaps a turtle/tortoise isn't the best choice of pet for you. There are some smaller species though. Painteds top out around 9-10 inches and muds will top out around 6 inches depending on the exact species.
 
that is a little much, a single hatchling would do great in a 10gal, filled half way with water, and a high powered underwater filter. make sure you get a good light as well. use gravel on the bottom and some slate around the filter. I use a high powered filter that is made for a 50 gal tank but use it in the 10 to keep it extra clean. the trick is put something in front of the return so that it will not move to rapidly for you lttle guy to swim around.
 
I use a 40 gallon tank for a 1 inch RES hatchling..plenty of room for swimming and basking....at the end of the year i'll be getting a 125 gallon tank so it should be big enough for my turtle for a while :)
 
that is a little much, a single hatchling would do great in a 10gal, filled half way with water, and a high powered underwater filter. make sure you get a good light as well. use gravel on the bottom and some slate around the filter. I use a high powered filter that is made for a 50 gal tank but use it in the 10 to keep it extra clean. the trick is put something in front of the return so that it will not move to rapidly for you lttle guy to swim around.
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I totally disagree.
A ten gallon doesn't allow for a much thermal gradient or multiple basking spots. It can be done but it is far from ideal.
 
10 gal is all you need. If you use something like a 50 gal, it would be nice, you could add fish and stuff like that. but all you need is a 10.
 
zebeck said:
I totally disagree.
A ten gallon doesn't allow for a much thermal gradient or multiple basking spots. It can be done but it is far from ideal.
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Tell that to a turtle who grew up in a glass bowl witha palm tree :dgrin:


You could set something up really nice in a large tank. I have done it befor with softshell turtles. It was rellly cool but you need a large filter.
 
Tell that to a turtle who grew up in a glass bowl witha palm tree
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Yeah or to the literaly millions that died in such set-ups.
Its a miracle if they survive those conditons more than a year.
 
my point exactly. that same turtle raised in a 10 gal tank with moving filtered water and lighting will live to out grow that tank.
 
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