Thanks again, James. You're like my personal turtle guru.

I was planning to put largish sandstone cobbles on the bottom of the tank, some bogwood with aquatic plants in one corner and then use some slate to hide the filter in the other corner. I'm well used to doing weekly water changes as I have six fish tanks so that won't be a problem.

I didn't realize that turtles don't need particularly high temperatures and, as the temp. in my unheated goldfish tank is 22C atm, the turtle tank will prob be an equivalent temp.

So will it be alright to do without a water heater for the time being? I do have one but with the humid weather, it's prob not needed.

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My Menagerie1 Crossbreed Terrier - Millie1 Dwarf Rabbit - Cleo2 Male Gerbils- Kanga & Roo2 Female Mice - Peaches & Pixie1 Dwarf Hamster - Dory1 Male Budgie - Kiki2 African Dwarf Frogs - Zig & Zag
Six Fish Tanks - 50+ Fish

Haha, I've been in your position and I know how confusing it can all get. In theory you should be fine without a water heater. I have one in my tank set at 20C (I haven't seen it come on yet). For hatchlings it is however recommended that the water be 26C, as this will help their immune systems (like keeping a baby wrapped up, when you'd be OK with slightly colder weather). Just remember not to over-complicate the setup, I tried putting various ornaments in and was amazed at the amount of waste that was getting trapped (it's alot bigger than fishes!).

Have you decided what species you're going to go with yet?

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Well the selection over here is fairly limited. I've been to several different LFS and they only seem to stock Red Eared or Yellow Bellied Sliders, both of which are very cute though. Is one preferable to the other or do they have similar temperaments/requirements etc?

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There is only one person who could ever make you happy - that person is you.
Member Number 13218

My Menagerie1 Crossbreed Terrier - Millie1 Dwarf Rabbit - Cleo2 Male Gerbils- Kanga & Roo2 Female Mice - Peaches & Pixie1 Dwarf Hamster - Dory1 Male Budgie - Kiki2 African Dwarf Frogs - Zig & Zag
Six Fish Tanks - 50+ Fish

They're identical apart from a few markings - very closely related. Hardy turts, but often get too big (upto 12" in shell length) for most people.

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Is there any other species you'd recommend for a beginner? I have a couple of very good fish shops near me and they might be able to source a particular species for me.

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There is only one person who could ever make you happy - that person is you.
Member Number 13218

My Menagerie1 Crossbreed Terrier - Millie1 Dwarf Rabbit - Cleo2 Male Gerbils- Kanga & Roo2 Female Mice - Peaches & Pixie1 Dwarf Hamster - Dory1 Male Budgie - Kiki2 African Dwarf Frogs - Zig & Zag
Six Fish Tanks - 50+ Fish