How to set up a tank for 3 yellow belly turtles with a 10 gallon tank?

lilhoward3472 asked:

I have a 10 gallon tank and 3 yellow belly turtles that are about 1in. big! I know I need a bigger tank, but I have no money to get one for now, any suggestions on how to set the tank up? I really like my turtles and am not getting rid of them. When I have the money I will get a bigger tank, please give my some suggestions until then.

Comments (4) Posted in Reptiles

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4 Responses to 'How to set up a tank for 3 yellow belly turtles with a 10 gallon tank?'

Elizabeth - February 5th, 2010 at 1:12 am
You do realize for three you’ll need like a 300 gallon tank, right?
these can give you some good ideas.

They need their basking area so you’ll either need a floating “island” but make sure that it doesn’t sway or anything, turtles don’t really like to bask on wavy things.
You could make it so they walk onto the land, like a shore

I personally like these two
However I don’t suggest using river rock, as the turtle may end up swallowing it and it could cause either an infection or it can cause death.
Keep with rocks that are big enough to not fit into your turtles mouth.

But please keep in mind, you need to find room for a huge aquarium, a filter, water heater, UVB light and basking area big enough for 3 turtles and food.

Good luck.
J C - February 5th, 2010 at 11:47 am
just set it up with a heat lamp basking are and UVB lamp like any other tank and a brilliant filter as 3 in such a small space will foul the water up pretty quick. part water changes every day or so will probably be a good idea too. it seems kinda silly to have gotten the animals without having the correct equipment for them. as already said your gonna need as massive tank later on. it should be ok for a couple of days/ a week or 2 till you get the cash for a proper tank.

oh and keep a very close eye on the water quaility (get a testing kit)
oikos - February 7th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
A tank need not be an aquarium. Cheap alternatives are plastic totes and wading pools. If you can’t afford either of these, you can’t afford to keep turtles.

You can get away with not having a UVB basking light if you feed a diet high in vitamin D (liver, for example). They will need a place to bask, though and a bulb for heat above it. The water should be kept warm too. If you can’t afford a filter, you can clean the tank more frequently. You do not need (or want) sand or gravel or plastic doodads and decorations. Keep costs down by collecting your own food (earthworms, fishes, soft-bodied insects) or buying small fishes from the bait shop rather than the pet shop.
Mike P - February 8th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
honestly..im a go big or go home kinda guy.. i have a 120g tank for my res.. i started him off in a 20g.. i litteraly went to the dollar store for all my stuff.. bags of larger stones about an inch big.. for a buck buy like 2 or 3 bags.. (10g is a small tank so you will save).. i saw this ..square 6”x6” plastic grass lawn ..i took the sticky’s from an extra underwater heater and stuck them to the floor.. i would buy or make your floating dock .. what i got was a small bridge that they would rest on underwater and hide under.. its mainly just the flooring you should be worried about.. a 10g tank is a little small to play with .. im in the process of building a castle with towers to bask on right now.. if you like i can send you some pictures.. my tank now is 72×24x18.. i got the idea from this site.. i just had to use water and aquarium silicone mix as a sealer.. check it out

as for lighting.. 100w uvb basking bulb over the basking area is perfect.. if you have the space put a regular day light bulb as well

start them on reptomin aquatic turtle pellets