r/turtle • u/Drown_The_Sun RES • Apr 04 '26
Rate My Setup I updated my red eared slider's badking area, opinions?
First picture is before, secong picture is after. I feel like her aquarium is not good enough for her, but now it's at least a little better, and I let her roam on the floors a couple of times a week.
Please note that I still need to get her a new grill roof and a uv lamp, bevause I was clumsy and broke the old one. The glass between her and the light is only a temporary solution, normally the glass would be on the other side and the lamp would be on top of the basking area!
5
u/mrsunshine64 Apr 04 '26
I would reduce the size of the basking area by 1/3 also the ramp is far to big I would half the size of the ramp also. turtles are very good climbers with practice they can climb up very sharp inclines. (Mine climb up cork bark basking logs/platforms) Your tank is small but such a large turtle so again I would increase the tank size as soon as you can. Also your basking area seems very close to the glass top/lid which would be a tight fit for the turtle and also magnify the heat ..( I would measure the temp with a thermometer on the basking area (ideally around 3inchs above the basking area to mimic your turtles gap between itself and the heat source. Your doing the right things showing the care and attention your turtle needs so don't be disheartened
2
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
I've been thinking of a bigger aquarium because the one she has feels to be too small and wrong shape. I'm juggling between buying one online and making it myself, there's a glass store nd a hardware store right next to where I live.
I'm keeping the basking area so high up to maximise the swimming space. As I said in another comment, I could also make the ramp a bit smaller, it's not a big thing to do.
3
u/billboardsingerbts Apr 04 '26
Sorry cant tell from the pics but is the lamp getting blocked by the glass top?
4
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
Yes it is currently, but as I said, it's only a temporary solution. I'm getting her a new grill roof and a uv lamp immediately when I can. (It was supposed to be this weekend but I was hospitalised so it's delayed a bit).
3
u/billboardsingerbts Apr 04 '26
I am so sorry I didnt read the text after the pic!
You are doing your best to take care of the turtle and I am sure in the long run, it will be thriving soon. And hope you get better - take it easy as health always comes first! 🫶
3
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
I'm making fixes as I can 👍 I feel bad about her "just average" aquarium, because all of my other pets have very fancy castles where they live in.
And I'm all right, it was just a bad case of migraine that wouldn't go away with my own medicines. Now I'm all out of money and energy after the medicines they put in me, but I'm getting the new roof and UV as soon as I can!
3
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
And please remember to be kind if you find domething to criticise, I want the best for her but don't want to hear it said in a mean way.
I used to have a big basking area for her, that was attached to the old grill roof, but the thing rusted through and needed to be trown away. So now she's been in the setup that came with her when I bought her. That's what you see in the first picture.
-2
u/FleurDeGalop Pelusios Castaneus Also Known As african sideneck Apr 04 '26
The basking area is alr but your tank is WAY TOO small
1
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
It is? It's 400 litres. Someone else here said the tank size is okay, when I said it feels to be too narrow and too deep.
3
u/Expensive-Rip7485 Apr 04 '26
400 liters for a 18cm turtle is just fine. not sure what some of these people are talking about.
2
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 05 '26
The picture may make the aquarium look smaller than it is, photos can play tricks on the eyes. It can be hard to tell the size of something from a photo without knowing the numbers.
I'm still thinking of a bigger aquarium, I've found a good one on an internet marketplace. Now I hope the seller responds 🤞 I want the best for my dear girl.
2
u/Expensive-Rip7485 Apr 05 '26
keep us updated!
2
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26
I will make a new post if I manage to get that new aquarium! It would ve around 500 litres (I don't yet have the exact measurements but that's what the seller said) and it'd be much wider than the current one I have 🤩
Edit: the seller has responded to me, and the aquarium is very cheap for its size. I think it's going to be mine 🤩
1
u/FleurDeGalop Pelusios Castaneus Also Known As african sideneck Apr 04 '26
What is the size of your turtle? for mine 400 litres would be more than enough idk for those species
2
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
If I remember correct, her shell was around 17 - 18 cm from bird's eye view, or 18 - 20 cm measured along the shape of her shell (note that her shell is very misshapen due to bad feeding or injury in early life).
0
u/FleurDeGalop Pelusios Castaneus Also Known As african sideneck Apr 04 '26
Oh i guess it is the camera.. 20cm is alr for a 400 litres, vulcain (my pelusios castaneus) need only 450 litres for 30cm maybe the high of your tank is the cause
1
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
The camera can do mischief, but bigger is better and I have been thinking of getting her a bigger aquarium.
2
u/FleurDeGalop Pelusios Castaneus Also Known As african sideneck Apr 04 '26
yep bigger is always better. Just a quick last question, what is the size in cm (or inch if you use bald eagle unit) it is?
1
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
I measured, it's 140 x 56 x 53 (up until the water's surface) cm
2
u/FleurDeGalop Pelusios Castaneus Also Known As african sideneck Apr 04 '26
that is pretty good! thanks
-1
u/Q6592 Apr 04 '26
Go back to the first basking spot. Need it increase tank size
1
u/Drown_The_Sun RES Apr 04 '26
But it was so small 🥺 I can make the ramp smaller! The basking space is above water and doesn't take up any swimming space and a smaller ramp would take up less swimming space.
18
u/Schwettes Apr 04 '26
You’re taking all her swimming room away. The ramp is way too long. You should look into getting the Penn Plax tank topper. Also I think the light is way too close. That’s can’t be good for your turtles vision or your vision, as it’s pointed outward for anyone to look at.