[Evac.]

I'm going off to college in a year and would like to have another hobby to occupy my time. How hard would it be to raise a couple turtles along with the maintenance of the tank and food? I'm going to have to know both financially and labor wise. Thanks

[x420psykoticx]

it really depends on the turtles... red-ear sliders are relatively easy to take care of

[jokerdxs]

You have to change the water every week or it gets disgusting. Make sure you have good filtration. Feed the turtles in a separate plastic tank. Don't put small rocks in the tank. They need a heating lamp and even an underwater heater. They also need a rock to bask on after they eat (the heating lamp should be directly above the basking rock.

[General_Patton (Banned)]

I usually let mine walk around the house for a while so he's not stuck in his tank. It helps alot of i you have a decent filter.

[pbmink (Banned)]

you wont be able to keep a large enough tank to support turtles in college

/thread

[pronking]

to save on the water grossness issue maybe a tortoise?
If taken care of they can outlive you....
A russian tort wont get too big like a Sulcata, and they're way cool to watch grow.

[pbmink (Banned)]

please dont

[Short Round]

Originally Posted by pbmink

please dont

agreed. Im an experienced turtle keeper and believe me when i say you will have to choose between spending a lot of money or seriously neglecting and/or abusing your turtles.

if anyone's got questions, feel free to pm me on pbn or on here and i can give you the rundown of what to expect as a turtle keeper.

[PBWoman]

I raise Redfoots, I purposely do not keep any Aquatic turtles because they require so much care. Of course that opinion has to with the fact that I don't find enjoyment messing with aquarium tanks. I will say keeping any tortoise or turtle is not a carefree or inexpensive hobby. I might add all cute tiny turtles and tortoises in pet stores often grow 5 or 6 times larger than the baby you see in the pet store. Aquatic or land they both require lots of space.