Want to get my 1st turtles (heat/uv questions)

Question
QUESTION: Hello, we've never owned turtles before but are very fascinated by them.  We have an indoor 150 gallon 'pond' (livestock trough).  It's been running for 10 months now.

We'd like to adopt 1 or 2 RES turtles or painted turtles from a person rather than buying from a store, which is almost rare now.

I realize the lights will somehow have to hang from above?  Also, what exactly do I need?  I've read so many articles that go into so much detail that I'm going nutty.  Can I use an incandescent bulb for heat?  I'm trying to keep costs down too.  One thing I'm concerned about with high electricity costs is having to leave heat & UV lights on for 12 hours or more.

Also, will I get salmonella, etc. from cleaning the pond?  What about 2 turtles vs. 1?  Can I keep the temp. of the water at 72 or does it have to be higher?

I've probably forgotten something important to ask but if you can give me any extra info., I'd appreciate it!

I do have small comets in this pond as well.  They've stayed at 2 1/2 " for almost 1 yr. now so I doubt they're going to grow anymore.  Maybe they're stunted because they were 'saved' as so-called feeder fish.  We all know what kind of conditions they came from but healthy as anything now, just small.  There's also 26 White Cloud Minnows in there.

Thanks,
Paula

ANSWER: Paula,     Very Kool Pond !!! Good idea. Great size for a couple turtles. Before we get into the lighting some simple things like turtles are going to crawl out unless you keep the water at least six inches from the top.

         A little info on sliders and turtles in general. These are the most incredible and versatile reptiles on earth. This type happens to also be amphibian in nature. Their shell is not an exoskeleton it is part of his bone structure his ribs and invertebral backbone. They have alot of personality and can easily train you...lol They are very prone to MBD (metabolic bone disease) because of lack of calcium. Lighting which we will get into.These turtles can live with good care, love and GREAT water quality in captivity for up to 30 years.    
       


         Habitat: Because it is indoors it is still going to act like a fish tank. It is not going to be full of larva falling from trees or from insects. I hope you went with a natural stone color. Your turtles aren't going hibernate like they  would naturally but the size is great for them and pet sliders rarely brumate or hibernate in captivity so that's fine. You can put some large river rocks in there so they have places to hang on while they are under just if you get them from landscaper or outside boil them for about twenty five minutes to make sure you do not introduce parasites to you tank. You can get the suction cup ledges for them because they need a large space to get out of the water completely and dry , warm their body temperature,and digest their food. (we will talk about lighting for this in a min) In my outside pond I used flat rock and stacked it on both sides till it was a nice basking area out of the water and the sun hit that spot perfect all day.

         Lighting: Paula I know what kind of light fixtures you want to use unfortunately the reptile bulbs for that size are hard to find if at all and you NEED two different temps in your pond/tank. The bulbs you want to use do not give off hardly any ultra violet light and no heat unfortunately. So go and get a couple of nice drop lights and the one you hang over the basking area you are going to depending on how high needs to kept at at around 85 to 90 degrees. So you are probably going to go with a maybe 75 to 100 watt go from there keep receipt. This will be your UVA bulb. It gives off heat and some ultra violet but not as much as you UVB light will. I am trying to think of how to find out temp maybe while they are young and you are experimenting a metal reptile or flat bottom thermometer you can Velcro or super glue(fine non-toxic) to the farthest side of the basking area to make sure you are maintaining that temperature. Now in the other light you want your UVB bulb I would go with a 150 aim it across the tank and abit down. This give off the best ultra violet and will help them not get MBD and create vitamin D-3 which  turns into calcium. This is so you don't get shell deformities or broken toes ,legs etc.VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!! This will keep them growing active  healthy and happy.

         Feeding: First of all if you don't want to have the smell or the problems with cleaning so often since you have the size. Especially if you have some kind of filtration on there it should be pretty easy to maintain. I recommend you feed them in a separate container like a dishpan at first. Make sure the water is deep enough for them to swallow water when they eat or they will choke. They have a fixed tongue and do not create saliva. They usually poop not long after they eat and you can rinse and return home. You will so understand as they get older...lol Their diet is very varied. Always pellets at first baby turtle pellets that way they get all the vitamin supplement. What I do is blanch greens, dandelion in the summer, mustard,collard,romaine and mine like bok choy. I layer it with albacore tuna for protein or sometimes I make no fat chicken breast and shred it in the processor and I layer it with calcium powder. I make a turtle lasagna, small flat bowl. I cut it into the right size chunks you will get to know as it freezes and when its done I put it in a baggie much easier. Also in the fall try slightly overipe fruit see wht they like.  Never forget leave a little room for them to eat pellets only sometimes. Unfortunately your minnows are going to give them alot of excersize and if they catch them they will eat them ....sorry. The comets will go when they get big unless they keep growing though I have seen turtles make friends and not eat some fish in their tanks. I would not put koi they will get too big.

         Two is all I would put in there. I think you will have alot of fun with them. The water temp could be brought up just a couple degrees. Around 74 to 76 is perfect for them. They are a very interesting creature. I know you shouldn't but mine is about ten and every once in awhile I give henrietta a bite of pizza or dorrito I know bad mom but, she has me trained...lol....I let her walk across the kitchen floor to her feeding pan she is used to it. she scratches at it as soon as I close the fridge door. Never let them walk on carpet so their nails don't get caught. Wash your hand before an after handling you should have no problem with salmonella. Antibacterial is better for booth of you. If you think of anything else Paula let me know........Good Luck, Tina

         

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Tina and wow! Fantastic advice!  I've read info. on their care and get some differing opinions(what else is knew on the internet LOL).

Anyway, I've decided to take in these 2 five to six yr. old RES turtles.  I know you went into a lot of detail assuming perhaps they'd be young.  Is 5-6 yrs. still young?  Will it make a difference in their eating, perhaps more vegetarian or not yet?

I've heard that you can get bulbs that emit UVA and UVB at the same time, is that true, or do I need 2 fixtures PLUS a heat lamp fixture?  

For heat, can I use incandescent (get a bulb I have around the house?).  Sorry to sound dumb, I really want to take care of these guys.

What about people getting cancer from UV (you always read how dangerous it is to be exposed to it)?  Lastly, for now LOL, how long do I have to keep all these lights on per day and will it hurt the turtles' eyes?

Thanks,
Paula

Answer
Paula,   5 or six changes nothing as far as diet but, feeding don't forget their protein though you won't be feeding everyday. Maybe three to four times a week . Do not use the bulbs in your house are harsher abit different ultra violet spectrum. You will burn them do terrible shell damage it will keep water too hot. Sorry. On the good side the reptile bulbs last forever. The UVA and UVB 2 bulbs different spectrums very necessary. Your gonna have to bring your water down farther about a foot or they will climb out and god forbid they break their shell big money. They may have bulbs that emit both but they are not meant for creatures that need this kind of care. Also you may have to deal with them trying to brumate. These guys are sexually mature very easy to sex long nails and longer thinner tails on the males, the females have shorter nails and stubby nails. I turn light on when I get up and off when I go to bed but after yrs I have learned mine like its basker on all the time so I went with a red reptile UVA light. They can't see it but he or she will always have a warm spot if they need it. There are no dumb questions....never to big or small Paula...if you think of anything else write me...Good Luck, Tina