Soft shell turtle

Setting up a turtle tank using a polypropylene tub.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• soft shell turtle
• turtle
• aquarium

[eHalleyb08]

looks like a nice set-up for a hatchling - you're right about the sun, but the glass window blocks out necessary UVA and UVB. My vet recommends taking these turtles outside (supervised) for at least 20 minutes a week or having an external UVB light that shines in the tank, but unobstructed (no glass or plastic in between light and basking spot).

[virtualguitarist]

@eHalleyb08 I have the turtle in a 75 gallon tank now. I am running a 48" 40 watt fluorescent light. It is both UVA/UVB and made for turtles. The tops of the aquarium i keep over hanging about a inch and allows room for the bulb to shine unobstructed. The soft shell turtle really isan't a basking turtle anyways, it spends most the time under the gravel. That tub he was in worked good in a pinch, but hes spoiled now in the 75 gallon. I have a short vid of it on this channel. Thanks for watching!

[eHalleyb08]

@virtualguitarist sounds like you have an even better set-up! My first softshell came to me as a hatchling and he did not bask for a very long time. It could have even been a year before he started...it's hard to remember. Just so you know, eventually your turtle will bask and it will be necessary for his health - good for soaking up those UV rays and drying out the skin helps to prevent fungal infections - something they are very prone to. I will check out your other video!

[virtualguitarist]

@eHalleyb08 When he decides to start basking, there is a place in 2 corners of the tank and other rocks that he can bask on. Since i caught this turtle in the wild last September, i have learned alot about these turtles on the internet. I had a snapping turtle from hatchling years ago and it was fun watching it grow up. Im not sure how long i will have this turtle since it is growing so fast!

[eHalleyb08]

@virtualguitarist Let's hope that you have a male, because the females get significantly larger! I hope you found "Austin's Turtle Page" during your research. I've found that their page with care sheets and their forums to be very helpful =)