So my sister wants a turtle...

[ZebraDanio12]

My seven year old sister has her heart set on getting a turtle. I know nothing about turtles, and thought I'd ask you guys. I have a 10 gallon she could use. Its housing guppy fry right now, but they are getting big and I could dump them into my 20 gallon. They are big enough not to get eatin. They even have big colorful tails now. I was wonderring if there were any turtles small enough to live in a 10 gallon? If so what kind? Where can I get them? Advice?

Thanks in advance!
~Zdanio

[TheOldSalt]

Many baby turtles can live in a 10 gallon for a year or so, but not for much longer. After that you'd need a bigger tank. Turtles are very messy and high-maintenance, so be ready to change the water twice a week. You'll also need to add a big pile of rocks sticking up out of the water for the turtle to climb up upon ( make sure its shaped just right so he can get up on it easily ) and you'll need a reptile light over the tanl to let him get the artificial sunlight he'll need to be healthy.
Try to find some books on turtlekeeping before you start.

[ZebraDanio12]

Originally Posted by TheOldSalt Many baby turtles can live in a 10 gallon for a year or so, but not for much longer. After that you'd need a bigger tank. Turtles are very messy and high-maintenance, so be ready to change the water twice a week. You'll also need to add a big pile of rocks sticking up out of the water for the turtle to climb up upon ( make sure its shaped just right so he can get up on it easily ) and you'll need a reptile light over the tanl to let him get the artificial sunlight he'll need to be healthy. Try to find some books on turtlekeeping before you start.

Hmmm..thanbks for the info. Lot of work for her...and I don't want to be the one cleaning it. I have 3 other tanks of my own. Haha we will see

[P.senegalus]

A good filter for a tank larger than the one you have will help with the water
This site-
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...-Fish-Together says mud/musk turtles don't really need a reptile light. It also says they do well in 30 to 40 gallon tanks.

[Ladayen]

Hope you're not expecting a 7 year old to care for it. Unlikely to happen for long.

[ZebraDanio12]

Originally Posted by Ladayen Hope you're not expecting a 7 year old to care for it. Unlikely to happen for long.

Definatley not. Expecially her ;P I told her it wasn't a good idea. Shes just gonna get the tank going with some plants and keep some of my babies.

[Sorafish]

Guppies ARE better for a small child. I gave my sis two of my betta when she became fish crazy. Course, my mom takes care of the tank. lol. I had a turtle (yellow eared slider) full grown in a 20 gallon long, full setup. But he always seemed really cramped in there. Ended up getting rid of him+tank+fish when I moved last year. The setup (lights, floating rock, filter, tank) cost 180 at petco

[ZebraDanio12]

Yeah, six of my guppy fry in the 20 gallon are hers plus a juvie platy. Being moved as soon as i set her tank up and get it cyclying. I have many fry so a few of those will be hers too

[iheartfish:)]

Lol, sisters. Mine really wanted a tank, and fish to breed. She decided on honey gouramis. Good luck, i told her. Two weeks later: I'm the one feeding, the one cleaning, the one maintaining. :P

[webma]

I think this is the common practice Kids want the pets, and later the adults have to take care of them. Therefore I would keep in mind that I would have to be responsible for the animal
When I was young, I also got Guppys and loved them But I guess your sister wants a pet which she can touch, that's the reason why she wants a turtle.

[Ponera]

To be honest, a Russian Tortoise is far superior for beginners. Spur thighs are also good.

[ZebraDanio12]

webma-she loves them and im fairly certain one is already preggo (only 3 months old D
Ponera-how big of a tank are we talking here?

[Ponera]

40 gallon is pretty nice for my russian tortoise. Easy set up, just make sure you give them proper nutrition and calcium, as well as D3, because otherwise you're gonna have one dead tortoise.

[vargasAquatics]

sliders are a huge mess and pain to clean after... had mine in a tank and after about a month of that I built a pond for them out back.. much better outside in a pond... they are happy and you dont need any expensive lights.. all natural.. its better for them and for you...

[Nijis]

You shouldn't get a Russian Tortoise. They are expensive, and they should not be kept in a glass tank when they are larger (they can run into the glass walls and hurt themselves, and it does not provide enough ventilation) . They will need a tortoise table, which takes up A LOT of space. Plus they live 75+ years (if taken care of well) so they are a lifelong commitment.