really need help

[kirandia]

allright just found DiamondBack Terrapin in the backyard today, and buying the 40 g tank tomm. i wanted to find out, since its going to be not fully filled is fluval 104 will be able to work and would be good for these species?

[kirandia]

she is very tiny, about the size of a quarter, but doesnt want to eat pellet food, she spits out most of it altlest... i have to feed it the other food it eats, and also any tips about caring about this baby are most welcome!

[kirandia]

well i will check this forum tomm but if somebody wants to email me please do so at: yelena2005@mail.ru

[mlefev]

That's a land-going brackish water turtle right? First thing you need to do is to look up the proper water paramaters for them, and how the tank must be cycled. If you put the turtle into an aquarium without it being set up properly (which can take weeks) they could become ill. Turtles are generally hardier than people think, but it still doesn't mean you don't need to do your homework about the species. These guys can also get a foot long, so your idea of a 40 gal tank is a minimum in my book...should be fine for at least 7-10 years that way however.

actually one shortcut might be to add water from the area you found it in, as that will have a natural bio-load it's used to. Lol I'm sure someone will correct me on this, but it seems a logical place to start.

[mlefev]

Oh and as far as a filter, any filter is better than no filter, so you can upgrade later as needed.

[kirandia]

well, DiamondBack Terrapins are brackish water habitants, and i have been doing my reading the whole day, still reading... and a 40 gallon tank the wide one, i think should do fine for now... but which filter would you guys recomend using?

[kirandia]

yeah, but will fluval work with not fully filled tank? i mean its a canister filter...

[mlefev]

Well if you like your brand of filter the fluval 204 would be best for that large of a tank. Or you could get a whisper 40..they'll handle from 20-40 gallons. Your filter is reccommended from about 30 gallons, but since you aren't filling it for fish, you probably can get away with using it until the turtle gets larger and starts producing more waste.

[mlefev]

Only hard thing with a not completely full tank is being able to attach it properly so it will filter. I'm sure suction cups or tying it down into the water would be possible though.

Edit: If you go to a pet store, they may even have some suggestions to get your current filter to work in a 40 gal tank. I've normally found where there's a will there's a way.

[mlefev]

Oh one more thought...you could also go with underground filters...not sure of the brands for a 40 gal. The thing with turtles is that they go to the bathroom a LOT. I had a mediterranean tortoise and a desert tortoise and they honestly go as much as a small dog. So you're going to have to keep up the tank maintenance. The filters are mainly for water circulation so they don't get sick, and the proper bacteria is present at all times.

[kirandia]

well thanks mlefev for all your help, if anything else comes to mind, do post!

[kirandia]

listen lefev, since i found the turtle, and i didnt have the tank set up, do you think i better give it to the pet store, i mean how much chance does this turtle have if i will try and set up the tank tomm?

[mlefev]

will do. I've been keeping dry-land turtles since I was about 4 years old. Mainly they're messy, can stink at times, and need cleaned up after. However, they make wonderful pets.

[mlefev]

well IF you can collect the water in his natural territory and keep him in a tub with that water until the water in the tank is set up properly, then he'll be ok. Turtles are tough...but if you really don't feel like you're able, you'd better let him go or give him away to a pet store. There's nothing worse than losing a baby....of any variety.

[mlefev]

I don't have experience with that breed of turtle. Since you caught him, you have to feed him..so you'd better look up the proper feeding as soon as possible. Whether you give him away or keep him, you have to make sure he's well fed. I would say, since you sound worried, that a pet store would be good, but if your pet store doesn't know what to do, just keep researching and you sound concerned enough, that I think you could make a decent home for him. If you live in a house with a yard, you could even fill a wading pool on a patio or something where he will get the warmth of the sun and be able to go in and out. Your common sense will tell you whether you're up for it or not, though.