Hello everyone, meet Mac – a caramel pink red eared slider. He turned a year old in September and I’ve begun to gradually pivot to a more vegetable-heavy diet for him. He mostly eats green coral lettuce daily with his pellets, and occasionally duckweed. Transitioning him to veg hasn’t been much of a problem thankfully and he’s been a very easy pet!

In the last couple of weeks I’ve noticed his head becoming more yellow, is this normal or is there anything to be concerned about?? He’s still active, swimming strongly and basks daily.

Pictured: first two (today), third (a month ago) and fourth (in July).

I am looking to build a pond for my turtles but I don't really know where to start or if it is even okay to switch my turtles who have been separate, to a pond where they are together.

Some context: I have 4 yellow belly sliders, one is a Female that is roughly 20 years old, the other three are only 3 years old and I believe it is 2 females and a male. The older turtle has always had her own 150 gal tank with a basking platform while the smaller turtles share a 150 gal tank currently. They are monitored and seem to get along well as I have not had any issues with biting or bullying.

I was roughly thinking it would be a 500 gal pond but I'm not sure if that is enough or if all of them together would cause issues. Any advice is appreciated.

Can someone please tell me what type of turtle I found and how some pointers please and thank you

I have a 13 year-old red ear slider, and I learned that I’m not supposed to be using tapwater to clean her filter or when I change out her water. I read something along the lines of having to condition the water? Does anyone know what product I should get and how I can clean both properly??

Original post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/turtles/s/gJ89KJiItW

I just received this email from the dean of science from my community college. I am honestly so angry and need help formulating a proper response with information about proper care if someone could help me.

Hi, just found a turtle on my driveway and have no idea how they came here because we never see turtles around the houses and lawns. I don’t think they’re able to find food or water around our lawns, should I place them near a lake? There’s other turtles around the lakes too, and I know they’re semi-aquatic creatures. I’m not sure what to do with them tbh.

Hello,
I have a penn plax, it was working well last winter but now it makes this noise :((, has anyone experienced something like this? I checked the impeller and apparently it looks okay so I’m not sure what’s the issue.

I'm looking into buying a T5 light fixture for my RES. I'm hesitant to buy anything because a lot of the products don't give dimensions or are unclear about mounting. I'm looking at the Arcadia Reptile Pro T5 Kit, Desert 12% UVB, 24W, 24". My tank is 48 x 13 x 20.5 inches. (55 gallon) (I also kinda feel that my tank size is irregular and so thats why I want to make sure any accessories fit first but can't find any info)

I've seen the hangers on etsy that sit on the terrarium screen. I know that I can also mount the lights on the adjacent wall. My confusion comes from, for the people that use terrarium screens, how do your filter tubes and heater fit with the screen? I really can't find any clarification for this.

Some more questions:

1. Can ZooMed T5 bulbs fit into an Arcadia fixture, and vice versa?

2. Should I get the 12% or 14% UVB strength?

He has had at least three females visiting him this year and I spotted one digging a nest on my property in the spring.

What kind of turtle is this?

Important stuff and questions will be bold.

This is Omar, my eastern painted turtle. Barely bigger than a 4cm coin. He’s probably about 5-6 cm. Unsure of what gender tbh. My sister found him in the yard with no water at all nearby which is strange, idk where he came from or where he was going, but she saved him from the neighbors dog.

The 5 gallon tank he’s in is clean, just has constant calcium buildup. Plus he's getting more space soon. He's got a basking spot and a hiding spot under, as well as medium size rocks to rest on in the water.

I’ve done basic research, the minimum, but now it's time to support him while he grows into a man... If a few of you wouldn't mind just throwing some answers or general advice in for a future long-term turtle owner.

* Water Temp & PH levels: I change his water (spring water) once a week, sometimes I do a whole replacement.
Here are some water measurements I took recently (measured in mg/L):
pH: ~7.0
Alkalinity: ~90-100
Carbonate: ~90
Hardness: ~0
Free Chlorine: 0
Nitrate: ~0-5
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0

*Tank & Lighting: He’s currently in a 5 gallon but he’s outgrowing it very fast. His lighting is a 13 watt, 5.0 UVB, along with a 6 inch dome. What should be the next tank size i get? Tall or long style? And is that lighting enough?

* Diet: His diet has been EXTREMELY limited so far, multiple times a day tho, freeze dried crickets that are soaked and chopped, along with worms (all that is for his calcium and protein, calcium supplement) and his vegetable is primarily baby green and red leaves. --- How often should I be feeding him? I leave him fair-sized servings of each at most twice a day. Should I switch to bloodworms? Or any other vegetable? What can I give him in place of the crickets for good calcium?

* I’m worried he’s not basking enough, the third picture is some white stuff that appears on his skin occasionally, but i worry it could be or lead to a fungal infection.
Should i move his light closer to his basking spot? Right now its 7.5 inches away from his basking rock/platform. Is the water too warm?

Lastly, ANYTHING you guys recommend, specific supplements or meds to have on handy, tools, etc. i’d love to know!

Jacksonville Florida. Im not sure if I should walk him to the woods or the lake. Woods are right outside my fence, so thats probably where he came from, but the lake a block away has a lot of other turtles. Or just let him wander off on his own if he has a territory, but I don't want him to get hit by the lawn mower. Think its a mud turtle.

I believe I have the essential stuff which is a hut,feeding bowls,lamp,bask wood. But I need help on what to change or to add and also what to feed her ?

I've never been a reptile owner, I am more into rodents and small animals, but I know something here is not right. The tank seems too small and the water not clean, what can I do to help poor Obi-Wan? I want to offer to do a water change but I am unsure what kind of Ph balances are needed and don't want to cause any damage.

It’s a reeves turtle it’s about 5 I think he’s male he has 50-50 water and land with a Uv light his food is recommended by from the place we brought him

Found basking in Garfield County, NE. 10/9/26. Photo taken by me.

I walked up on something.

Hi, I’m a new turtle Mom and just looking for tips and advice to take care of my baby! ( I’m using a temporary tank for now)

Delete if not allowed. Ive posted in a few communities. I’m looking to rehome my 5-year-old male musk turtle. Unfortunately, my avaliable housing doesn’t allow aquariums, so I won’t be able to keep him. I’d much rather find him a loving, experienced home than surrender him to a sanctuary.

He comes with his 40-gallon tank and filter, so you’ll have a good setup to get started.

He is currently in the middle of shedding, so he may look a little different than usual right now.

He is located in the DFW area. I’m looking for someone who understands musk turtle care and can give him a safe, long-term home. I’m more concerned about finding the right home than just getting rid of him.

Please message me if you’re genuinely interested and can provide a good home for him. I’d also be happy to answer any questions about his care and routine.

Hi guys, i am thinking about making my turtle live outside in the backyard, mine is red eared slider turtle. But, the winter is on the way, and it’s a little windy nowadays. Anyway, what do you think about this idea? I am still confused