Turtle or Cichlid...

[LIZARDLOVER]

Okay, I just got a new 35 gallon. I can't decide whether I should get a turtle or some cichlids. Then again, maybe I should get something else... What do you guys think?

 

[NickOC]

A 35 is a bit small for South American or asiatic cichlids, but a small group of aulonocara (5 or so) should do well. Turtles require alot of filtration and water changes to keep the tank clean. What are the dimensions of the tank? If you have a decent budget try a live rock marine setup. About 25-30 lbs of live sand, 30 or so pounds of live rock and add the ocean water. Its really neat to watch things emerge from the uncured rock, such as amhpipods, small starfish, plants, ect.

 

[MonteQ's]

I agree with Nicholas, depending on the species of turtle/cichlid, you'd need to go bigger eventually.

But having had Oscars, and a bunch of turtles, it's a tough choice. The fish were certainly less expensive and alot less work. Good luck.

 

[LIZARDLOVER]

The demansions are 30 long X 20 high X 20 wide. I was thinking about getting a Trachemys scripta elegans, or the Red-eared Slider.

 

[MonteQ's]

I have no idea off hand about the fish you mentioned. The tank would be fine for a while with a young RES though. Especially with the extra width!

 

[LIZARDLOVER]

I still don't know if I should just get something else, but I love turtles...

 

[downthebeatenpath]

35 Gallon would be ok for some turtles, I keep a common musk turtle in a 20 L. They stay small around 4-5 inches, as long as you have a good filter and some live plants in there it should be fine. Having a saltwater tank as well I would have to agree with NickOC they are really interesting tanks to have. You will have so many living things just on the rock alone, only downside is they cost a lot of money.

 

[MonteQ's]

One thing to consider is what type of commitment you want. Turtles can live for a very long time. Mine is about 14 at the moment and wouldn't be considered old. But she's awesome!

 

[downthebeatenpath]

One thing to consider is what type of commitment you want. Turtles can live for a very long time. Mine is about 14 at the moment and wouldn't be considered old. But she's awesome!

That is a very good point, many turtles can live upwards of 50 years, so you really have to make sure you want it.

 

[NickOC]

The demansions are 30 long X 20 high X 20 wide. I was thinking about getting a Trachemys scripta elegans, or the Red-eared Slider.

That would make the tank over 50 gallons....
Turtles can be pretty rewarding, but require ALOT of maintenance to keep the water from making a room smell. If you have multiple turtles, keep the tank clear next to impossible. Ild check out turtletimes.com for some upfront info on good keeping. Make sure you have some serious filtration avaibible.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I wouldn't get a RES for a water turtle. I seen to many that were sold and come back as rescues. Painted turtles are cool. Or even a smaller species of water turtles would be cool. You do need really good filteration. I am thinking of switching to a canister filter for my water turtle tank.

 

[downthebeatenpath]

I would highly recommend the zoo med turtle filter, I forget what it's called, but I have that on my tank and the water stays crystal clear.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I use a Fluval 4 plus currantly.

 

[downthebeatenpath]

How does that work?

 

[Ccrashca069]

It does a good job. I have 4 water turtles now so I am having to clean the tank more often. Takes me start to finish 1 1/2 hours doing a good job cleaning it. 2 of those water turtles are rescues.

 

[downthebeatenpath]

Ah yeah that must do a pretty good job with 4 turtles in there, what species are they? Yeah I only have one and he's still a baby so I really don't have to clean that much, the filter does most of the work.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I have 2 southern painted, 1 western painted and 1 Maylasian Boxturtle. I also used to have a Reeves turtles but she passed away in January.I got the Reeves turtle as a reascue 8 years ago. The western and smaller souther painted I have had about a year as rescues.

 

[downthebeatenpath]

Ah nice that's awesome, I have a common musk turtle that I got last year my herpetology professor actually bred them so he gave me one.

 

[LIZARDLOVER]

I already have a 55 gallon freshwater tank, and I was planning on using a Marineland Emperor power filter for up to an 80 gallon tank on the 35 gallon.

 

[MonteQ's]

The filter should be fine for fish. For turtles, I've always had better luck with in-tank canister type filters. You'll get a better current, and less noise, especially with the lowered water level.

Powerheads do a pretty good job for the money, but the Fluvals seem to be what everyone recommends now a days.