My slider has just about out grown her 100 gal. tank. What now ?

Question

My slider is seven inches long. In all my researching, I feel I might be the only person with a slider so big. She is uncomfortable in her 100 gal. tank. I have it filled half way with water. Is this enough ? I cant find basking docks big enough for her. I am feeling discouraged. I may have to sell her. If this is what I choose to do, how would I go about doing so ?

Answer 1

There are so many unwanted sliders out there already, city ponds are filled with them.

May I suggest a kiddy pool..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...

Fill the tank to the top.I had used in my 100 a 12x12x1" cement brick supported by smaller cement bricks that way you can position it higher for her and closer top the top to bask..the kiddy pool fill it up with the same sort of bricks in the middle and foill with feeders.Get some chicken wire and make a cone shapped almost like a T-Pee over the pond so birds of prey won't come on in a take her.

I have 2 gals that are 36 yrs old and they are 8 1/2 accross..

Contact the “herpetologicalsocieties.com, for a turtle vetand rescue  in your city and state.

they are in a pond from Sears now!!

Answer 2

One of the people who use this forum set up a basking area outside of and on top of the tank. A corrugated carton will work in a pinch until you can replace it with something water-resistant. You will need a ramp to allow the turtle to climb to the top of the tank and into the basking area. The flaps of the carton keep the turtle from going to the side. You also need to support the basking box.

This setup will allow you to put more water into the tank. The tank should be bare, except for the ramp and a filter.

Don't sell her yet. She could put on another 3" to 5" in shell length. Then, it might be time to put an ad in craigslist.org

Answer 3

You could search for a used tank fish store and ask if they have a wide tank instead of the taller ones. Halfway sounds like alot but it is probably ok because she is big. To back a basking area you could buy some gravel from a fish store and then pile it up at one end. Real rocks might break the bottom so I would not use them. If you do sell her you could use craigslist, petfiinder, shelters for reptiles or use classifieds.

Answer 4

Do you have a pool? Just kidding. It might not be nice looking but at some feed stores you can find huge round watering containers and create it a pond like environment where it would have plenty of room to swim.

Answer 5

Ah sweetie.  Calm down.  The rule of thumb for turtles is 10 gal. of water for each inch of shell length, so if your slider's shell is only 7" long - a 70 would do.  She should be delighted in the 100 gal. (the ungrateful hussy thang!).

And seven inches is normal for a slider, not big.  I'll bet she's not done yet, either.  Turtles grow all their lifespan, but once adult - they slow way, way down, so that is a GOOD thing.  lol

100 gal. should suit her nicely, as an adult.  But?  Is she ungrateful, or are YOU spoiling her?

So, let's look at other options for utilizing her water space...

She MIGHT not be real happy if you "toss her in a bucket" for a couple of days (and I'm not suggesting this... I'd recommend a cheap $15 kiddie pool [forgive me P.peek] while you revamp her aquarium).  Something which holds water, and is temporary and affordable that she can be comfortable in while you are rehabbing her home.

But, you can start with installing a textured Plexiglas shelf with clear silicone.  This is easy to do.  Use a small bead of silicone on the top of the shelf (sort of like the joining seals on the aquarium) and use a heavy/thick bead under the shelf, on the water side, to support the weight of the turtle and shelf.  Don't carry the silicone to the corners, so there is an area for water drainage (I actually round my shelves for the corner fit, and make sure the front edge is a bit higher, so water runs downhill to the back to drain away).  

Plexiglas comes in many textures, colors, thicknesses, is easy to cut  to a curve or straight edge, easy to disinfect, etc.  Your imagination is the only set factor.

Once you install the shelf - she will have open water to swim in.  No piled rocks taking up water space.  Based on where you place the shelf - nearly the whole tank can be open water.  So, now you are really more to the 10 gal. per inch rule, since her basking requirement isn't taking up most of an area of the tank.

(People hate to scan through these long answers, so I know I'm irking your other posters.  I aplogize to them.)

Anyway, you get the idea - free hanging shelf means no rocks taking up swimming room, and then she truly will be a spoiled 7" turtle in 80'ish gals. of open water in the 100 gal. tank.  Reposition her basking light and UVB souce above the Plexiglas shelf... set your temps. with a digital probe thermometer, and VOILA~!  Open tank.  Happy turtle.

That's all I dare suggest here, least I get hate mail for prattling.  Please email me at [e-mail] if you have further questions.

Enjoy your turtle, and many kuddos for worrying about HER happiness.

I hope this has been helpful.

** nope, wasn't done yet!  Make sure you allow drying and curing time for the silicone, before you return the turtle to the tank.  Fumes are toxic.  Heavy beads require several extra days of drying/airing time.  (Sorry again, folks.)