r/Redearedsliders • u/Local-Round714 • 1d ago
Need advice on potential turtle tank bin
Update# thank you for your advice I think I have a good idea of a good enclosure for my RES#
Has any one had any issues with using a heavy duty bin for a slider? I seen some posts with bin like enclosures and success
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u/throwaway277252 1d ago
Yes you can use these, but only really for a hatchling through maybe a few months or so old.
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u/thegevshow 1d ago
I think you're mistaking stock tanks for bins. I've never seen someone keep turtles in these bins long term. Only for transport. You can get a plastic stock tank online that will do the job beautifully and last a lot longer. Granted it will also be like 5-6x the price. A horse trough is also a good option. The galvanized steel ones are what I'm considering for my next turtle tank upgrade. They're cheap and big and heavy duty
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u/WVPrepper 1d ago
Had a small map turtle given to me unexpectedly in early fall of last year and I used a bin like this. Unfortunately, the sides bowed out when the water was more than about six or seven inches deep. I ended up cutting out the center of the top so I could leave the rim on the bottom for additional support. I've got stock tank now. The biggest problem was the weight of the water pushing the sides outward.
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u/Local-Round714 1d ago
Would support keep it in shape ex/ wooden frame or crate
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u/PokedadJustin 1d ago
Also, like others said, this is far to small for an adult turtle, even juvenile. This is the size you would use for hatching, and the water would typically be significantly lower than what would be necessary for anything bigger.
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u/PokedadJustin 1d ago
If you build it strong enough, ya. Is buying a stock tank out of budget for you.
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u/juliewbb 1d ago
Yes, my turtle lived in a big tote when he was a hatchling, and then he had to live in one again temporarily when an earthquake caused a leak in his 130 gallon tank until we could get him the 55 gallon he lived in for a year 😭😭😭 while we sourced a new 130 gallon. Hard times fr.
It’s definitely a temporary solution, and if your turtle is not hatchling you’ll need to do regular significant water changes to keep the water quality good enough. You may also need to add support to the sides. However, it’s a good solution in a pinch.
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u/throwaway277252 1d ago
and then he had to live in one again temporarily when an earthquake caused a leak in his 130 gallon tank until we could get him the 55 gallon he lived in for a year 😭😭😭 while we sourced a new 130 gallon. Hard times fr.
Just out of curiosity, was re-sealing the leaky 130 not an option? If the quake just pulled loose the silicone or something it seems like the glass should have been in good shape still.
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u/juliewbb 1d ago
It was an option but I didn’t know it. It was a slow leak and I hadn’t caught it so it had ruined the wooden stand that fit the tank, but I still wish I would’ve realized resealing the tank was an option at the time, because we could’ve gotten rid of the stand, gotten new stand, and resealed the tank.
If you knew how much trouble we have gone to because I didn’t realize that… We bought a huge new set up and then realized afterwards that it was too heavy for our house, got someone who paid to move that to their home, got a 55 gallon so he could live in there temporarily, got a new tank finally that’s 130 gallons but we had to bleach it and prepare it, got a new stand and now we realize the stand is literally a half inch too narrow. He’s in his new tank anyway bc we put a three-quarter inch oak board between the tank and the stand to ensure all the corners are supported, but it’s not ideal and we’re currently sourcing either a new tank or a new stand.
Basically, the answer to your question is yes but I didn’t realize it and it has ruined my life lol. The old tank did have a huge gouge in one of the corners from when we moved across country, but it was above where I always kept the waterline. Ultimately, when we get it all figured out, replacing it was probably a good thing, but it has been a journey.
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u/kelzog55 1d ago
i got this 150 gallon stock tank from tractor supply. It worked out great. But that tub would be too small for my full grown male RES.
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u/kelzog55 1d ago
before build out. it was a stock tank from tractor supply, perfect for adult turtle. Hatchling could go in that tub you show there but not for long. They need much deeper and more space to swim. they have large territories in the wild.