Red eared turtles

[jamin]

Moved from Beginners: Mod Bill

I have some red eared turtles, they have skin peeling off that is cloging up my filter. What are your suggestions?

How long will a reptile tubular light last before it needs replacing?

Would a more powerful hotter light help to dry them out? 8)

Do they sleep underwater or do they have to breathe?

:oops:

[Ira]

Let's see...In order my suggestions...

Clean the filter more often.

6 months - 1 yr I'd say.

I don't think you'd WANT to dry them out.

Dunno, but they DO have to breathe so you want them to be able to get out of the water.

[Alan]

Mine hibernate outside

underwater

for about 2 months

So that's a long time to hold there breathe

They actually absorb oxygen from the water up their rectum,

So I'm told.

They sure don't have a snorkel, and they don't come up.

So I'm not arguing THAT point.

By the way

They don't need a heater or heat lite

As long as they have access to the sun they are fine.

Also a correct diet.

Don't see the little ones in nature in a heated environment.

Alan

[ajbroome]

Jamin said...

> ... they have skin peeling off that is cloging up my filter. What

> are your suggestions?

This is pretty normal. You need to do lots of water changes when you're keeping turtles, IMHO. Filters media should be coarse and cleaned regularly (depending on the size of the tank and the number of animals).

> How long will a reptile tubular light last before it needs replacing?

I'd change it at least once a year, ideally once every 6 months. They're not cheap but turtles aren't cheap pets.

> Would a more powerful hotter light help to dry them out?

They have a place they can be warm and out of the water? It's good for turtles to be able to dry out, as long as they're not chilled.

> Do they sleep underwater or do they have to breathe?

They can survive underwater for some time when at a low metabolic rate. They do need to breathe eventually though and will drown if denied access to air.

Andrew.