turtles

[crankybait]

Thanks for the pic WTL, I was having all sorts of trouble giving it a basking place while filling it up 3/4 just because I didn't have a rock even close to large enough. They could barely climb onto a 3 inch high rock, haha, but I think I'll do something with a log like you did.

Also, Bryan, that sounds like a great idea because they really are messy... there is debris floating all around every time they eat. But the thing is, how do i know when it wants to eat? i kinda just leave the food in the tank at like 8 AM, head to work, and when i come back its all ravaged up. I also have a large plastic tub i can keep them in outside for a bit

[BigBassin144]

Byans right, weather permiting. Sticking them next to a window doesn't count, no matter how sunny it is. Glass nowdays block almost all UVB light, which I guess is a good thing for us.

BB

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by crankybait

Also, Bryan, that sounds like a great idea because they really are messy... there is debris floating all around every time they eat. But the thing is, how do i know when it wants to eat? i kinda just leave the food in the tank at like 8 AM, head to work, and when i come back its all ravaged up. I also have a large plastic tub i can keep them in outside for a bit

Well, most of the turtles I've kept and/or cared for were pretty ravenous, they would eat whenever I put food in front of them. That goes for tortoises as well, they just love to eat!

Probably the only turtle I've ever taken care of that wasn't especially excited about food was a big softshell. He was just mad all the time.

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by Bryan

Well, most of the turtles I've kept and/or cared for were pretty ravenous, they would eat whenever I put food in front of them. That goes for tortoises as well, they just love to eat!

Probably the only turtle I've ever taken care of that wasn't especially excited about food was a big softshell. He was just mad all the time.

Yeah...those softshells have one vicious bite! And nasty tempers too.

[WTL]

Antique glass doesnt block UVB if you have it, lol. I use to. There was a pane in the antebellum house we lived in where a couple who had been engaged in 1901 wrote it on the glass with the diamond in a ring.


I have the aquarium next to a window now. While they say the uvb is filtered out, maybe it is, maybe it aint, but when its not too hot I just open the window for a few minutes and then its natural sun which is thebest you can get. They say 15 minutes natural sun is the equivalent of 8 hours artificial light.

[BigBassin144]

nofear, you want nasty tempers and a vicious bite, find yourself a snapping turtle and try to rub it's nose!

BB

[cassidyta]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

nofear, you want nasty tempers and a vicious bite, find yourself a snapping turtle and try to rub it's nose!

BB

If that isn't mean enough for you, you can visit the address where I send my alimony check. That crazy B#*$** is as mean as they get.

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by WTL

Antique glass doesnt block UVB if you have it, lol. I use to. There was a pane in the antebellum house we lived in where a couple who had been engaged in 1901 wrote it on the glass with the diamond in a ring.


I have the aquarium next to a window now. While they say the uvb is filtered out, maybe it is, maybe it aint, but when its not too hot I just open the window for a few minutes and then its natural sun which is thebest you can get. They say 15 minutes natural sun is the equivalent of 8 hours artificial light.

Now you're getting into my specialty...lighting. I don't necessarily agree with the 8 hours thing, but it is true there is nothing like a little of the real thing. However, there are now some very good full-spectrum lamps out there (can be a bit pricey) that provide just about every wavelength a growing plant, coral, or reptile would ever need. The Sun is free though.