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Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Pets

Yellow bellied slider turtles. Any tips on keeping them?

63 replies

Tortoise · 30/08/2011 16:58

Been offered 2 slider turtles but I know nothing about keeping turtles.
Does anyone on here have them or can anyone give me tips on caring for them or books to get for info.
I'm really excited about getting them. Since I was a child I have wanted a turtle or a tortoise!

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Report

Dotty67 · 17/07/2017 16:36

Hi there's, I've got a yellow-bellied terrapin , quite a character. I wonder why he wants out all the time, and when he's out he enjoys snooping about , them lies under the chair , for a few days , he's passed a black substance , don't know if it's poo or not, ant harm him been out , he's a devil getting hi back in the tank

Tortoise · 22/09/2011 21:07

Sounds like its coming from the top/lid of it.
Found out they love grapes!

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lazydog · 22/09/2011 20:48

Shouldn't be noisy... The "bubbling" sounds like maybe you have air trapped in the system, but "vibrating" could be that the impeller (or however it's spelled - the spinny bit, LOL!) not being seated properly. Is the noise all coming from the filter itself (i.e. the canister) or could some of the vibration be from the hosing resting on the tank edge?

Tortoise · 20/09/2011 06:03

Why is it so noisy? I thought it was meant to be a quiet filter. It's making a sort of vibrating bubbling noise! I sleep downstairs and its really annoying lol!

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Tortoise · 19/09/2011 21:34

It wasn't much fun that's for sure! But water looks clearer than earlier. Dc shouldn't put things in their mouth. Youngest is 7. It was more the fact that they touch them and then suck fingers etc. Not sure if that's a risk or not (worry, worry, worry!)
Next job is basking lamp and bigger tank if I can ever find a local cheap one on ebay. Thinking of a gravel cleaning vac thing too (advertised on filter box!).

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lazydog · 19/09/2011 20:52

Yikes - sorry it was such an ordeal, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Unless your dcs are still of an age where they're likely to be sucking/gnawing on the sofa (or was that just my kids? ) I'm sure they'll be fine :)

Tortoise · 19/09/2011 12:14

2 and a half hours later and i think all set up properly! Soaked floor, sofa and carpet at one point with lovely dirty turtle water!! Hope not put DC at risk now. Can't see where it went properly so good chance toys, drawing stuff etc may have been splashed.
Tank water is grim now but hoping filter will now sort that. The stones etc have been moved around which has stirred up all the crap in the bottom (despite full clean out not long ago).
Can't believe how huge it is! Also problem putting lid on because of filter hose bit (hard plastic loop) on the edge of the tank. Balanced on top for now because of light.

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Tortoise · 19/09/2011 10:28

I have been sat here for the last hour trying to work out the filter assembly! My god it is complicated even with video and other link.

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Tortoise · 16/09/2011 13:37

filter ordered. Should arrive Monday.

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Tortoise · 15/09/2011 21:02

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lazydog · 15/09/2011 20:32

I think I just make things complicated...

Tortoise · 15/09/2011 20:20

Erm ok lol. This is all so complicated! Glad I can come to you for good advice.
Will get the plus one then.

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lazydog · 15/09/2011 20:04

See "No Taps" and "Extra Costs" reviews: www.zooplus.co.uk/feedback/shop/fish/filters_pumps/canister_filters/eheim/13352

lazydog · 15/09/2011 19:45

The plus version comes with shut-off taps on the tubing that make it a million times easier to clean the filter... I'm not sure if there's any other difference. Certainly there's not with the filters themselves, but there may be other extras in with the plus version.

It might be possible to find the taps cheaper than the price difference between those two, but finding them in stock is the issue as it doesn't look like the place you linked to does them at all, and the place I linked to is sold out:

www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquarium-filtration/external-filters/eheim-external-filters/classic-range/eheim-replacement-taps-for-2213-2215-p-5237.html

Also bear in mind that if you do find and order them from somewhere else, you're likely to be below any free shipping order total, so p&p on the taps may eat up any price difference...

Tortoise · 15/09/2011 19:31

What's the difference between the 2217 on here and the one you linked to? This one reduced but doesn't say plus.

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Tortoise · 15/09/2011 19:19

Thanks. Will take a look. Hope to order it tomorrow. Then once arrives I will take the pets at home one back. (naughty but nevermind lol!)

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lazydog · 15/09/2011 17:10

Actually - here ya go! :)

lazydog · 15/09/2011 17:03

Only thing I would say is that they can be a bit tricky to set up so don't be disheartened if you find it confusing. This site might help: www.rexgrigg.com/Eheim%20Classic%20Canister%20instructions.htm (but do note the little "update" he's put near the top of the article) and the customer advice line of the site I linked to for you (to buy the filter) sounds pretty good, too.

Tortoise · 15/09/2011 07:25

Yes, can get that one especially if I return the one I have as faulty . It says 1 available so I better order it soon!
Thanks.

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lazydog · 14/09/2011 23:46

I think I mentioned it before, but if you can stretch to this filter www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquarium-filtration/external-filters/eheim-external-filters/classic-range/eheim-classic-2217-plus-external-filter-p-2898.html you won't be disappointed!

Tortoise · 14/09/2011 20:09

Ok I think. The filter is conking out every other day now and needs cleaning to get it running properly! Really going to have to save up for a better one. Still not 100% sure which one I should get though.
They are now named snapper and chomper!

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lazydog · 14/09/2011 19:12

How's it going with them? :)

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Tortoise · 06/09/2011 16:08

Cleaned them out today. One of them sort of hissed at me and was a bit snappy! Still can't think of any good names.
Trying to get good tail photo but failing so far!

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lazydog · 04/09/2011 04:27

I don't bleach the bath out after I've cleaned anything reptile related. I do thoroughly clean it, but just with antibacterial stuff, not beach. My tortoises and geckos are less likely to be salmonella carriers than turtles though. The warm, wet environment of a turtle tank promotes bacterial growth more than in a relatively dry tortoise table. I'd agree with not using the kitchen sink, although I do confess to occasionally putting their food and water dishes through the dishwasher with our crockery and no-one's got sick!

Tortoise · 03/09/2011 23:01

They seem to have worked out what the basking area is for! Been on the a fair bit tonight.
Had to clean filter out. It wasnt pumping out water as well as before. It was really dirty!

How worried should I be about salmonella? One website said to bleach bath out after cleaning tank etc out and never to use the sink. Don't actually have any bleach so can't do that tonight after cleaning filter in bath.

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