Turtle Tank Setup

[@ThatOneCoolPufferfish]

my grandma gave me a turtle! I never asked for one, but her friend had one that she couldn’t take care of. I believe my turtle is an African sidebeck turtle. This video really helped!

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Happy to help

[@fixitfelix718]

how's the turtle doing

[@user-bj9nw5wf5n]

Always a good day when Chief Sweet posts! I like how you’re moving towards the aquatics side of the channel. I’d love to see some betta videos in the future.

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Oh yeah I planned on one and didn’t know when I would upload it tho.

[@user-bj9nw5wf5n]

I’d love to see it!

[@r.j.lindzee6432]

Oh my goodness those baby turtles we were looking at yesterday at your house were stinkn cute! They were so active and looked happy.

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Thanks so much

[@garg4531]

Looks so good! Lucky little turtle having some nice driftwood to hide and explore Also since this setup was made explicitly for baby turtles (and those that stay fun-sized like musk turtles), might want to mention that adults will need a much bigger one, like a 120+ minimum on average

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Oh yeah that’s coming in my care guide!

[@garg4531]

@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Sweet!

[@mike2687]

Really nice video-very few good turtle tutorials on yt… plenty of bad ones! Also really liked the no nonsense delivery! One thing I went with for our babies (while indoors) before they go outside in the ponds is black sand. Yes, it’s pricier than the play and, but the lack of light reflection equates to nearly zero algae growth. Looking forward to checking out your live plant video… so far, we’ve just done Java moss attached to wood and let that grow and consume nitrates.

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Thank you means a lot! The black sand is absolutely genius! I never even thought of that!

[@mike2687]

@@ChiefSweetsUniverse - I discovered by accident in a small saltwater tank years ago and have used it in each of our turtle tanks. In short-dumb luck! I also attribute the fast growing Java moss, good maintenance schedule, not over feeding and all lights on timers as part of that success… only using as much basking/UVB lighting as needed for a couple hours on and off each day with the main tank lighting being a fairly cheap nicrew LED for aesthetics.

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

@@mike2687 those cheap Leds grow plants great too

[@mike2687]

@@ChiefSweetsUniverse - yes they do!

[@yungjit5549]

my glorious king finally posted again!!!

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Yes! Trying to get more consistent as well haha

[@kaedenarcand9743]

Hi! I have a question. Is dried out cherry wood ok for a bearded dragons enclosure? It’s dried out in the sense for firewood and disinfected properly.

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Yeah that’s fine the leaves of cherry trees are toxic but the wood is ok

[@LONEPRIMAL]

Love the content, maybe can you do a tortoise enclosure next?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Yes gonna drop a tortoise enclosure next

[@LONEPRIMAL]

@@ChiefSweetsUniversethank you

[@ItzAlexxx24]

I need more turtle content this was a amazing vid

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Oh for sure so much videos are coming as soon as I finished this was gonna do about 5 turtle videos then got covid it has taken me out for the entire month of September but I’m feeling good now turtle content is definitely coming!

[@lizbethavelar6295]

At the end you showed it with two lamps and i was wondering which lamo is the one in the black cover i know you went over the longer skinnier one?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

That’s the heat lamp. I use a 75 watt zoo med repti basking bulb

[@youngmuddy210]

So i cleaned the turtles tank and took out all of the sand and then I took out the water dumped the water out.smoothed out the sand and added the plastic bag like you did and poured the new water on top 🌊💦 and it came out crystal clear thank you so much... And then I added my Air stone and I can lay down and see the bubbles in it it looks very clean thank you..

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Happy to help!

[@Desertxxrose]

I am building my tank for a baby musk turtle. I have a 20gal long tank. Would you recommend getting the 14 inch UVB over the 24in one? I'm so glad I found your video! I was about to get the dome lamp!!!

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

You can do the 14 inch one for a 20 gallon

[@Desertxxrose]

@ChiefSweetsUniverse omg! Thank you so much for your reply! Would you recommend getting a heat lamp as well? Or will it be enough with the 14in?

[@matthewhelms6434]

Hey bud any advise on Sahara uro he’s been kept too cold and he did eat a small amount of greens!Should he be in 120 basking spot or lower at first?any input would be awesome

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

For the Saharans I do keep my basking area around 120f they like it warmer than other species. Air temp throughout the entire tank during the day should be 83f minimum. At night totally ok to drop to whatever your house is. But you do want it warm

[@matthewhelms6434]

@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Unfortunately took to vet he had respiratory infection and passed after two weeks of trying to save him.thanks I know your busy I appreciate your response

[@TheJoshBartlett]

Great vid as always Chief! 🐢

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Thank you so much

[@robb118821]

I am using a AquaClear 110 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter for 60- to 110 gallons. Is this the wrong filter to use? Doesn’t seem to do much. What should the filter have inside ?

[@eirlyslucas8645]

Can you do a video for adult turtle tank please? I’ve got a 450 L tank I’m thinking of rescuing an adult turtle, but not sure what I need. Thanks

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Definitely will! I’ll do a outdoor setup as well

[@Twisted809]

Great video! Do you think the same thing would go for a yellow belly slider?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Oh yes this works for them as well

[@MakenzyAcosta]

Do you have any tips on how to prepare you and your bearded dragon for a road trip/vet trip?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Oh I need to make a video about that. But usually I have paper towels lined a small tank like an extra large critter carrier and then just put him in. The paper towels are there in case he poops

[@MakenzyAcosta]

@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Ok, thank you so much! This is reallly helpful. :D

[@prittygal169]

I have an 8 year old red eared slider i just bought a xf6!

[@EARTH-833]

Just liking to get your vid started 😊

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

@@EARTH-833 let’s go!

[@PMoney365]

What kind of filter for 2 adult turtles? My Dad has 2 red eared sliders that he has had for about 10-12 years. They're about 6-7 across. He has a ton of problems with filtration, every 2 weeks he has to take the whole tank outside and hose it off because of all the poop. They're in a 50 gal tank, I want to get him a proper filter. What should he use for them?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

I would definitely get the fx4 by fluval amzn.to/4inYRyP as adults you don’t have to feed everyday you can skip a day. Doing so will eliminate the food and poop build up

[@mike2687]

Best would be to move them outdoors-that’s what we do with ours after the first year… this requires lots of homework. If that’s not an option, they could really use something like a 150 gallon or, preferably, a 180 gallon (since it’s 24” front to back) and then go with a large canister filter and a couple pumps for circulation. TBH, there’s not a filter on the market capable of keeping a 50 gallon clean with two large turtles… to be large enough, the filters would create a flow way too powerful for that size tank. Even with our small turtles we keep indoors, I do small weekly water changes and clear the filter sponges-if I were to skip by a week or two, the filters would lose lots of flow due to the sponges being overly filled and that kind of restriction is bad for the lifespan of the filters. Wish I had a better answer for you-but it’s just not doable at their size… turtles are messy.

[@HannahsMiniZoo]

Those zoo med basking platforms just are not big enough for an adult turtle, I use one now for my baby YBS Tormund. I’m looking to make an egg crate basking platform in the same way the thrive basking platform is made. They’re aquatic, but also like to be on land sometimes.

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Theh have some that are 2ft long and 1ft wide. The extra large one however yeah at adult ages I just use some cinderblocks in a stock tank. But the zoo med dock will last for a year or two as babies to juvenile. I’m not a fan of the egg crate basking platforms myself but they definitely do the job. I just wish there was some basking platform that exists that is actually good and perfect. lol

[@Platinum_Aquatic_World]

Hey chief Can I use river sand for my leopard gecko and my other reptiles instead of play sand?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

100% you can!

[@carloscruz2406]

Can you put fishes with a turtle in the same tank?

[@oskar_withak8625]

How do I cover 3 sides of my tank for my bearded dragon can I just use vynyl?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Yeah or some premade backgrounds or even poster paper

[@robb118821]

I have a red eyed turtle and have tried everything except the sand on the bottom. She’s an asshole lol but we are trying to make her happy. She loves knocking the pump pick up tube off and mess with the heater. Have tried the submerged pumps as well and she wants to destroy everything and constantly wanting to escape. I even got her a giant tank that has a built in base. It’s like 150 gallons I think. Any recommendations? Can I add fish and which ones ?

[@_ZeroTen_]

Hey, im getting an African Fat Tailed Gecko soon. Could you do a video about them if possible?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Oh yes I definitely will

[@yungjit5549]

if my uvb lamp releases alot of heat do I need a basking bulb?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Yes you do need a heat lamp. Unless you have a mercury vapor bulb. Which is the uvb and heat.

[@boxingtroll5825]

Do u have to use water conditioner?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

If your water is super chlorined or bad yeah other than that don’t really have to since they don’t use it like fish. They just swim in it

[@dragannovakovic5975]

Hello I have question about zoo med t5 hood, 14 hood and 5.0 uvb is good for juvenile turtle and 12 inch distance ?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Is this on top of screen mesh?

[@dragannovakovic5975]

@ChiefSweetsUniverse yes on the top of screen

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

I would go with the 10.0 one as itll get block a little by the screen and the 10.0 will get you that better UV at the distance you can still use the 5.0 id just bring the height up to 8-10 inches away instead of 12

[@dragannovakovic5975]

@ChiefSweetsUniverse Thank you

[@The.Anole.Keeper]

I don't own a turtle but ill still watch this video (First btw)

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

@@The.Anole.Keeper let’s go!

[@BriannaSmith-f9g]

Just got two red eared slider turtles in a 20 gallon got the one where it has everything in it tank became cloudy within the next day I don’t know what water filter to get help please

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

That sounds like a bacterial bloom happens when a tank is cycling usually after a few days it’ll clear up.

[@WilhelminaCasper]

Thanks a lot☺

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Happy to help!

[@Platinum_Aquatic_World]

Hey chief Can u pls tell me the difference between a male and female baby turtle becuz I have one I don't know its male or female

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Males will have a very small indent in their stomach shell as well as really long front fingernails. Longer tails as well.

[@Blackman-tl7wd]

Where do you buy all your insects for you lizards

[@bkamazon1976]

I was told not to fill up the tank for a baby turtle. I have a 75 gallon

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

As long as you have a good basking spot where they can climb on it easy then you will be ok. If you are scared you can fill it half way but it is ok to fill it up all the way to the top.

[@ScalesNtales]

Sorry I didn't watch the vid when it came out I was on the fornite grind😅

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

Understandable haha

[@Hewbrry496]

I told my mom we should get all these essentials but she didn’t want to do that so she just put in a bowl😭

[@LizardGuy1023]

Bro the normal basking deck is fine 🤦‍♂️ bro I dont think u know that much. The other basking docks are VERY small. The one with the ladder is completely fine. Only use the small deck if its temporary and not for long

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

@@LizardGuy1023 its not the size of the basking spot its the distance. It’s only 7 inches tall if a turtle shell is 3 inches it’s 4 inches away from the heat lamp meaning it has very high chance of burns and way too close to uvb which can cause eye damage. I’ve kept these turtles for twenty years and they have all used the zoo med dock with ease from hatchlings to adults. Everyone who uses the dock with the ladder has issues with the turtles not wanting to use it or having to wait weeks before they do. Also the decks come in different sizes. Lol this one was medium

[@LizardGuy1023]

@@ChiefSweetsUniverse would you rather sleep on a small chair or on a king sized bed? ( i know they usually sleep in the water but its just an example)

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

@@LizardGuy1023 again you get the size for your turtle this setup was for baby turtles haha. They have x large ones that are huge.

[@LizardGuy1023]

@@ChiefSweetsUniverse so what are you gonna use when they are adults?

[@ChiefSweetsUniverse]

@@LizardGuy1023 the x large one or you can custom make one. The x large is 2 feet long and these guys only get 12 inches long. It’ll be twice the size of them.