Being as Turtles Mummy

I missed my Totto and Totti :(

2010-11-04T14:35:00.004+08:00

Suddenly I missed my Totto and Totti.. they are my first turtle who entered in my life as beloved pet ever ... Now they are gone... almost 3 year since the day I lost them :( I just want to show some photos of them.. They will always in heart..

They are such sweet couple! always together..

Totto (male)

Totti (female)

Lovers..

New Baby Turtle in da house~!!

2010-09-24T11:52:00.004+08:00

Holaa guys~!!

I want to introduce my new turtle! He or she I'm not very sure.. but I just assume he :) He is a Map Turtle or scientific name is Ouchita Map Turtle. I had him since 18 July 2010. Now he already 2 months plus plus.. Oh thanks to my Mr. Boyfie for allowing me to take care another baby turtle.

On the way home ~~~

Look how small is he..

Am I cute? ehee.. with Mappy! I named him Mappy!

Maybe this is where he got name as Map Turtle :P

I need a new layout~~

2010-05-18T21:45:00.003+08:00

Its been 2 months since my last post..

A life being as a Turtles owner like me very simple and sometimes can be so lazy to update everything.. hihi.. I like to watch my turtles everyday and see their swimming actively and begging dance in front of me. They are such a cute creature ever.

If they can communicate or make some noise that I could understand, I will totally talk with my turtles everyday.. hehehe... ok ok.. this is just an introduction before I started to update my turtles blog.

So far theres nothing new that I add or remove regards to my turtles. They happy with me and I'm happy having them. I think my RES are growing bigger day by day.

I think I need a new layout of this blog... I just realize something, why every comment that I received but didn't get notify by email? Sorry for a late reply for those who needs help and send their story in my blog. I will reply and help best as I could to make you and your turtles life better :D

Basking time!!

2010-03-04T16:35:00.007+08:00

I love to see when my turtles basking. I feel so happy and glad that they know how to bask at the basking area provided. Its quite hard to snap their pictures while basking, they can notice and heard when people coming near to them and quickly jump in water!!

But here some various pictures while my turtles basking I managed to capture.. hihi.. lot of pictures!!

My dad captured this!!! Thanks Abah :D

Relaxing

Kiki basking alone

Basking at night

Show some butts :D

Riri loves to bask on top of Yellow ;P

My two little baby YBS basking together.. looks like twin!

Last but not least, my smallest baby Golden Thread Turtle

Found Big Worm! inside my turtles tank

2010-03-03T22:00:00.004+08:00

Don't be so surprised of the title.. but its true. Turtle owner can easily see worm or small tiny creatures in their turtle tank.

One day, I was passing through my turtles tank and suddenly I saw this kind of chocolate thingy stuck and 'flying-flying' at one of the fake plants in the tank. Since the water at that time not that very clear, I was shocked! what a big worm! I was panic.. how come that big worm get into my turtles tank? I never notice kind of worm in the tank before.. its so eeuuuww!!

But, I still thinking how come that worm can be in my turtles tank. Even though the worm inside the tank, I scared to get near to see closely and make sure whether that worm is alive or dead.. and I wonder, how come all my turtles don't even bother about that worm.. they not even swimming or check the situation..

Ok fine, since my turtles ignore it, I think I should move out that worm incase bad thing will happen to my turtles.. before that.. I decide to take few pictures as evidence that I saw big worms in my turtles tank. Camera is ready and I still scared to get near to the tank.. haha!! so I zoom out closely to that creature and finally notice that I have seen something like that before.. and I laugh out loud because of my panic!!

In blurry mode pic.. see how big that worm

..at that time all my turtles are resting at their basking area..

I got punk by my turtles!! its NOT a Big Worm.. but its just a BIG RUBBER-BAND!!

Hahahaha!!!!~~~~ :D

no wonder they are not around.. If not, if everytime my turtles see me, they will splash and clapping the water and make begging dancing ask for food..

p/s: But I still not sure how come that big rubber-band get inside the tank.. hihi..

Latest picture of my turtles habitat

2010-03-03T16:59:00.008+08:00

For first 2 weeks using the tank, the water not really clear as the essential bacteria does not develop yet and I just let it be for a while.

This is after I change the water completely the whole tank.

I thought by putting underwater light will looks cool but.. neehh.. not in the picture.. too bright! I take it out.

Latest picture taken on 28th February 2010. I just change the water after 2 months. See how crystal clear the water :D and yes, I have to take out all the decoration as my turtles loves to ruin everything. I think bare bottom looks very nice and calm :D

I love my turtles and their tank!!

Stage 4: Lighting Stand

2010-03-03T16:11:00.007+08:00

"Proper lighting is a critical aspect of RES keeping and is generally misunderstood and overlooked. Normally, natural sunlight provides beneficial elements necessary for healthy turtles. There are three main elements provided by correct lighting: UVA rays, UVB rays and heat."

~~Credits to www.redearslider.com

Stage 4 is building the lighting stand for the habitat. Since the tank is place indoor so my turtles need the essential lighting. In order to fix the clamp light, I ask my brother to design a lighting stand to accommodate the height of tank and basking area and again, this lighting stand also custom-made. The picture will show how it looks like :D I think it made from steel.

I would love to paint it in pink color but my brother didn't allow me to do that ;( huh!

Here the parts to hand the clamp light. The UVB bulb n UVA bulb

As you can see, the lighting stand can be adjust the high

This how the whole setup looks like and the picture taken before I make the tank stand..

Kiki and Riri enjoy basking at new basking area

3rd stage - Above Tank Basking Area (ATBA)

2010-03-02T15:51:00.009+08:00

Kiki

First of all, I would like to say sorry because I didn't update my turtles blog for such a long time.. :D and as my standard excuses is.. I'm totally busy with my works.. Though I was so busy, I never neglect my turtles.. they still on top of my priority.

Now I want to update about my turtle Above Tank Basking Area (ATBA) that I custom-made from plexi-glass or known as piece of plastic. In order to make the basking area.. I ask for a help from my brother as he good in designing things and make a sketch for me. After that we went to shop buy those plastic. Indirectly, the basking area is made at the shop because they have the equipment to cut the plastic and glue.. hihi..

This plastic material quite expensive here.. 1 x 1 foot square size already cost me RM12 per piece. So imagine I have to spend 2.5 x 1.5 foot size with different thickness of the plastic. The floor is 6mm thick, the wall is 3mm thick.

Total cost for the basking area is RM150.. I think the most expensive parts in building my turtles habitat.. @_@.. hihi.. Anything for turtles~! its okay.. hihi

So this is how the basking area looks like.. The floor basically is clear piece of plastic, but I put pink foam thought looks lovely :D

For the basking ramp, I used plastic tank separator. I bend it a bit and tight it with cabel tight at the basking floor. I don't have the bender to bend the plastic, so I used fire on candle? hehe.. slowly make it melt and bend it. So the black thingy is extra burned from the fire.. can't wipe it off.. :D

and walaa...! this is my turtles ATBA :D

2nd Stage - Installing the tank stand

2009-10-21T16:46:00.008+08:00

Whooaa~!! Its been like a month I didn't update anything about my turtles, their habitats and everything.. and within a month there so many things I need to do.. working, celebrating Eidulfitri, shopping, eating, cleaning my turtles' tank, sleeping, eating and and and list go on.. ehehe.. But anything to my turtle will be my number one priority :)

After do some plan for the tank stand, I went for shopping some stuff.. actually I just buy the blocks.. ehee... cost about RM13.00 for 12 blocks. All other things are Free Of Charge taken from house store and I used everything dat I can used such old piece of carpet, thick plywood and table clothes.

Here step by step how I installed the tank stand:

1. This is the old carpet which my mum didn't use it anymore. I cut it into small size because I don't need it all. I used this carpet just to layer on the floor so the tiles won't scratch before putting the blocks.

2. Then I arrange the blocks like in picture above, with help from my mum ;) because she knows better how to make the blocks steady and balance in order to make sure the stand can hold the 90 gallon water.

3. Then I put the thick wood as for base.

I hope this thick should be enough to cover the tank weight.

Overall look

4. Then I put a table clothes, English rose design. Its belong to my mum ;)

5. Then I put 2 pieces layer of styrofoam

TADAAA~~!!! the end product.

Its time to fill the water~!

Will be continue at next post... don't missed it~! There will be alot lot of photos.. huhuhu!!

2nd Stage - DIY Tank Stand

2009-09-12T21:14:00.004+08:00

Its been a month after my turtles moved into their 90 gallon tank. The basking area is 80% ready, all lighting is provided and filter are doing great job.. so far. Here the second major stage I wanna do is make a stand for the tank.

Since I don't have so much money to buy ready made cabinet or steel stand.. so I check out some other small budget idea for tank stand. I don't want to put the tank at high level because sometimes or I always wanted to play with my turtles.. So I need an average level to accomodate my height.. hihi.. what I do is, I bought 12 cinder blocks today~! The cinder block size is 16 inch length, 8 inch height and 4 inch width or thick. I think 8 inch tall to put the tank is quite ok.

Tomorrow I'm gonna empty the tank and start to arrange the blocks for a stand, I also buy a new thick styrofoam as a layer to hold and distributed equal weight of tank. The foam will be on a thick plywood which I think 2 inch thick.

Pictures of my turtles~!

2009-08-16T01:42:00.006+08:00

Latest photos of all my turtles.. 2 Red Ear Sliders, Malayan Box Turtle, 2 Yellow Bellied Sliders and Chinese Golden Thread Turtle.. I have 6 (SIX) turtles! =P

My Cutest Red Ear Sliders

Riri and Kiki

Yellow, Riri & Kiki

Kiki

Malayan Box Turtle "Yellow"

Yellow Bellied Sliders - "Mojo" and No name yet =P

Mojo

Chinese Golden Thread Turtle

Turtle Skin Problem - Fungus, Bacteria, Parasites, Skin Shedding??

2009-08-11T15:07:00.012+08:00

I would like to share that, a month ago my Chinese Golden Thread Turtle (CGTT) had this skin problem. I don't know what is it and how it happen. Its looks like he having really heavy shedding but in the same time the legs and the other parts of body looks swollen.

I assumed this must be some sort of fungus or bad bacteria that infect my turtle. It could be from the water. Dirty water, wrong temperature can give this kind of symptom. But then, I'm using filter in his tank, so what could it be??

Poor baby, his face covered with the fungus. Give swollen looks =(

His leg show some swollen.

Based from my experienced dealing with this skin problem such white spots, fungus and injuries, the home remedy to cure this problem is by soaking the baby turtle in the Potassium Permanganate.

What is Potassium Permanganate?

Potassium Permanganate act as disintectant, used to treat dermatitis, fungal infections, killed bacteria and parasites of the hands or feet. By evaporation of Potassium Permanganate will gives prismatic purplish-black glistening crystals and it will dissolves in water to gives deep purple solutions.

So what I do is I mixed the crystal with warm water. Don't put too many, just few drops like 10 tiny crystal and gives very light purple solution. Then I soaked the baby turtle in potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes, if I let the baby soak more than 20 minutes, the solutions will turn to brownish also to the turtles =P Don't worry, it won't harm the turtle but do keep on eye if the turtle started makes some bubbles from the nose.. Meaning dat they had enough.

I treated my baby turtle 2 times a day for a week.

Soaking the baby in potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes.

After the soaking, I dry dock him under infrared bulb as to let him dry and kill whatever things covered his body.

Felt asleep while dry docking

After couple hours dry dock him, I place him in super clean warm water for drinking and feed him pellets as well.

2 Weeks After the treatment.

So far my baby looks much better, eat well and very active.

Basking area still under construction

2009-08-10T06:26:00.004+08:00

I already make one but still not attach to the tank, as my mum idea.. she want the removable above tank basking area (ATBA).. that what she want, then I just followed.. hehehe.. so the basking area can be move anywhere or anytime whenever I need to clean the tank or change the water, so it will not give me obstruction.

This is customade ATBA which made from plastic or sometimes people call plexiglass. This plastic material quite expensive here.. 1 x 1 foot square size already cost me RM12 per piece. So imagine I have to spend 2.5 x 1.5 foot size with different thickness of the plastic. The floor is 6mm thick, the wall is 3mm thick. Total cost to make this ATBA is RM150 =P Anything for turtles~! its okay.. hihi

Still in plastic wrappers because I don't want the basking get dusty since the ATBA still not complete yet. I need to put the wallpaper to cover the wall of the basking area. This is because my turtles need privacy when they basking.. not to forget, there is not basking ramp, so still need some times to build it. hihi..

1st stage - Tank Setup

2009-08-10T05:58:00.003+08:00

Finally.. my Kiki and Riri have their own bungalow.. yeay~!! It tooks me a month to make sure as theres no any chemical residue stick in the tank wall.. I did few times water change and let the water seats for 2 3 days as to absorb all the dirty stain, any chemical residue dat left by the clorox, soap or vinegar dat I used to clean the tank.

When I purchased this secondhand tank, the owner also give me a free set of filter. The filter is powerhead filter with the filteration media box and the hose. I never used this kind of filter, the owner said the filter still in good condition, since I'm still saving to get canister filter for my turtles, as for temporary.. why not I used this filter first. I'm not sure how many Gallon/Litre Per Hour this powerhead filter can run and circulate the water. But so far, it does a great job!

Here a photo of the new tank setup.. wa laaaa..~!

I didn't expect the tank will look this nice =)

Look with camera flash off..

Kiki and Riri so happy!! flying freely in the water~!

Isn't she look cute, adorable.. Riri

Update my new tank

2009-07-08T00:06:00.003+08:00

It tooks me a week to clean the whole tank.. First I clean the tank with water to remove all the dust and dirt, second I used 50/50 Clorox and water solution to remove the smell and water stains. Thirdly I used vinegar to remove all the stubborn water stains.. and lastly I cleaned the whole tank with clean water for many times.

BEFORE

...AFTER

Kiki and Riri were survey their new home as to decide where to put the master swimmingroom.

Still need to clean the tank again and again with clean water, to make sure all the chemical residue are not in the tank. I will buy small fishs to test the water in the tank.

Cute Moments...

2009-07-07T23:11:00.005+08:00

My Florida Yellow Bellied Sliders...

My Red Ear Slider.. Kiki and Riri

. This is my Golden Thread Turtle..

Turtle's Tank Plan

2009-07-07T22:54:00.003+08:00

Tada~! This is what I plan to do for the new tank I got for my turtles. Basically all important equipments included in this plan such as UVB bulb, UVA bulb, Basking Area, Filter and mostly the larger wide 90 gallons tank~! Wuuhuu~!!.. can't wait to setup my turtles new home.

Theres might be few things to change such as the stand or cabinet to hold the tank and the material used to make basking area. I'm thinking to use plexiglass instead the chicken wired. This is because, if I make the basking area something like cages, the UVA exposure and heat will distributed everywhere.. so by using the plexiglass, the heat will stay within the area.

Presenting my new baby....

2009-07-02T21:05:00.003+08:00

Chinese Golden Thread Turtle~!!

I saw him at first time, how cute is he.. makes my hearts melts and really wanna get him~!!

First baby yawn in front of me~!! =P

Isn't he such adorable turtle.. awww...

New Baby Turtle~!!

2009-07-02T13:32:00.007+08:00

Chinese Golden Thread Turtle

Its been awhile I'm searching this turtle.. I love the uniqueness of this turtle skin pattern and shell. So gorgeous and beautiful. I found this turtle sell at one of my favourite fish & aquarium shop. They sell for RM10 each. Here some info of this turtle.

Scientific Name: Ocadia Sinensis

Common name: Long Tail Turtle / Chinese Golden Striped Neck

Habitat : Slow-moving creeks, swamps, ponds, lakes, and rivers at low elevations. Ocadia sinensis can tolerate a wide range of temperatures from the cooler northern ranges of China and Taiwan to the hot tropical regions of Southeast Asia

Diet: An omnivorous turtle, but hatchlings and males tend to be more carnivorous feeding on insects, larvae, worms, crustaceans, and carrion, but will take in variety of water vegetation. Females and older turtles will be primarily herbivorous.

Credits to: www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-chinesegoldenthread.htm

Upgrade new tank to 4feet tank 90 gallons~!!

2009-07-02T12:33:00.004+08:00

YeaaYy..~!! Finally I found my dream tank for my turtles.. =P Suppose the plan is to get 3 feet tank but I managed to get 4 feet tank with RM120..~! huhu.. I just can't believe the tank is mine and its so wide, large and big~!! huhu.. My turtles will love it~!!..

Can't wait to setup the new tank and transfer my turtles to their bungalow~!.. huhuhu..

4ft x 2ft x 1.5ft

Here some more picture after the tank move in to my house~! yaiiy~! =P

Story behind the lost of Baby YBS's Tail

2009-06-16T19:34:00.010+08:00

One month ago, one of baby YBS had lost h/she tail. It is unpredictable accident where one of my RES, Riri climb out from her tank basking area and jump into baby YBS tank. It was like 9 days after I have the baby YBS and suddenly this 'big' traumatic accident happen to her/him. Poor little baby. Riri was excited watching this skittish baby turtle swimming around and intended chase the baby and bite the tail~! I can't stop the incident as I'm not around. From what I read, we cannot mix the big turtle and baby turtle together as the bigger/senior turtle will try to conquer the place and being a leader. Turtles are solidatary animal. They can live alone by their own without companion.

A picture show the bloody cut, near to the vent/cloaca.

Since it is first time accident happen to my turtles, I felt so terrible that time because I don't know what to do. Here, I don't have any good vet who can helps my baby as most vet in my state are specialize for cats and dogs only. For the mean time, I clean the cut with warm water and dry dock the baby. After few minutes, I put some natural sea cucumber oitment.

It took 2 weeks for my baby to fully recovered from the injury as the tail still swollen. To avoid infection from other baby turtle, I separate the baby in other container and put wet tissue as the bedding. The baby looks comfort and resting, sleeping all the time.

Sleeping and resting my little baby...

I know h/she still feel the pain but still want to bask~!

Its been a month after the incident and my baby doing great! H/she be able to swim and walk even without a tail. H/she also very skittish, playful, alert and very very cute. H/she also know how to 'begging dance' in front of me when h/she hungry. Its hard to believe that the tail can't grow back. But I know my turtle is strong to live with me. I will cherish h/she as long as I can and make the baby happy! I hope my baby will live happily ever after with me.

These is a pictures after a month and fully recovered from the injury.

Update My RES and Baby YBS

2009-06-10T12:14:00.008+08:00

Yeay~!! just want to celebrate that my new baby Yellow Bellied Sliders already ONE MONTH with me. They eat well, poops well and playful. The cutest who had lost this tail month ago really active and love to bask. But the other one seems don't know how to bask yet. Both of them already bigger than 50cents.

1st baby YBS

I love to bask~! Makes me feel good... wanna join?

2nd baby YBS

Basking together

Yeay again~!! My both RES will be 1 year old this coming 26 June 2009. Kiki and Riri are the most notty notty turtles but they are the cutest one. I love them so much. This pictures taken while I'm feeding them carrots. They love carrots so much.

Riri won't let go the carrot as I snap her picture.

Can you see I am wearing orang-y lipstick.. hehe - Kiki

Riri

Kiki - 4 inch

Riri - 4.5 inch

Found UVB Bulb in Malaysia~!!

2009-06-09T11:02:00.005+08:00

Yeay~!! Finally I found the most precious item for my turtles that is UVB bulb~! I thought this bulb do not exist in my country, Malaysia but they do supply this item in Malaysia. What a relief~! Fiuhh... It tooks me 2 years of research and searching this kind of bulb through local website, ebay, lelong, yellowpages, contacts address and numbers in Malaysia. With help from my respectful Red Ear Slider - Turtle Talk Forum, I managed to gather all the information and the outcome is the best bulb available:

Exo Terra Repti Glo 5.0 26 watt UVB Bulb

Exo Terra is reputable brand. They do have retailers in Malaysia that is Rolf C. Hagen (SEA) Sdn Bhd situated at Cheras, Selangor Darul Ehsan. So what I do is, I check out the Exo Terra website and contact the address of retailer in Malaysia. I called them and they said, they do have all the products by Exo Terra and they supplied all the products to the ONE ESTABLISHED pet store in Malaysia which is Toby Reptiles & Exotics Sdn. Bhd. (main office at Pulau Pinang). To make short story, Toby Reptiles have 3 branches in Kuala Lumpur. One is at Ikano Power Center - The Pet Safari, second branch is at The Mines Shopping Fair, Sungai Besi and third branch is at Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya.

There are many range of UVB output such 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0. Preffered is 5.0 at 26 watt for your turtles. Each bulb cost RM28.00 and I bought 2 bulbs and 1 clamp light fixture. Currently I'm using it for a month! It does wonder job to my turtles as their shell looks good and shining healthy. Note that, one bulb produce UVB rays for a year (12 months) so after that we need to change the bulb or buy new one. If the bulb does not broke or shatter, we still can use it as tank lighting for our turtles. I also buy this clamp light to hold the bulb.

Exo Terra Glow Light Porcelain Clamp Lamp (S)

So for those out there from Malaysia, who are turtles owner or anykind of other reptiles' owner can get their UVB bulb~!! Or for more details and information you guys can email me or just leave a message.

Importance of UVB rays for turtles

2009-06-09T10:07:00.002+08:00

Proper lighting is a critical aspect of keeping RES. Normally, natural SUN light provides beneficial elements necessary for healthy turtles. There are three main elements provided by correct lighting: UVA rays, UVB rays and heat. For turtle, UVA exposure is essential for normal behavior including activity, feeding and mating. UVB rays are crucial for your turtle’s health and development. UVB rays is necessary for the production of the vitamin D3 that is required for the metabolization of dietary calcium. Heat entices your turtle to bask. This warmth elevates their metabolism along with their digestive and immune systems. Drying off also helps hardening of the shell, scute shedding as well as minimizing algae growth and waterborne infections.

UVB’s primary importance for your RES is stimulating the natural production of the vitamin D3. This vitamin is required for the metabolization of dietary calcium and together with the calcium, plays a roll in the prevention of illnesses such as Metabolic Bone Disease. UVB rays, also out of the visible range, have UV wavelengths of 315–280 nm which are also referred to as Medium Wave. UVB causes sunburn and skin cancer in people. Exercise caution when looking at these bulbs directly.

Direct and unfiltered sunlight is the best source of UVB. For indoor setups, turtle keepers need to rely on providing UVB through special bulbs. These bulbs are specially manufactured to emit UVB rays and have special glass casings that allow the rays to pass through.
~~Articles taken from www.redearslider.com

Turtles as Birthday Presents!!

2009-05-11T15:03:00.003+08:00

Tadaa~! I suddenly got 2 Yellow Bellied Slider on my birthday (7 May) from my boyfriend (Thank you so much dear). What a surprise birthday gift ever..~! :D Here some photos to share. Still no idea to name them. Presenting... spot lights please..

Err.. Eh? Hello!!

Eh this one tired maybe.. already sleep

Am I cute?

Again this one still sleeping..

First day take them out for sun light to bask..

Sleeping while basking

So far the babies in good condition, eat well, poop well and love to bask! :D I'm so happy with this present! I hope my YBS will stay healthy and live long with me. :P Peace.

Self-improvement indoor setup

2009-04-23T01:37:00.008+08:00

I just want to update my turtles tank. What I have done so far.. here some picture to show some improvement. Before that, let me describe a bit what are the stuff that I used for my turtles tank and their basking area. Since I can't afford to buy my own tank/aquarium, I decided to use one large plastic container that is much more cheaper, easy to clean also to handle it. The plastic container I'm using now is size 7 gallon. I know is too small for 3 turtles I'm having right now. But I promise, this is just a temporary situation where I will buy their new home that is big, large and have wide swimming area. I'm targetting to buy 75 gallon tank (36L x 24W x 20H).

So here is the first setup I've made for the basking area is made from chicken wire that I cut and zip all angle make like a box. Then I spray it with pink color. Why pink? I love pink color, look sweets and feminine for my 3 turtles as they all females ;) hihi.. and for the platform, I used the green dishwasher but the soft one so that it won't scratch my turtles plastron or their legs. As for the basking ramp, I used soap dish which I turn it down and glue the green sponge. I also put some fake plants and flower at their basking area for more natural look and pretty. Here the pictures..

Kiki give a pose while I'm taking this picture.. so cute~!

After some try and error of using the green sponge at the basking ramp, I don't think so using it is a good choice because when the sponge getting old its makes the water dirty where all the turtles stool or any leftover food will stick at it and the green thread and always stuck at my intake filter. Huh! So after doing some research in my best ever turtle forum in the net RedEarSlider.com so I found using plexiglass much more better as it can be bend and can cut at any size I want. Here I have the plexiglass already bend for me (my brother help me bend it using the hot bend thingy), glass sealant and small river rocks.

Tadaa~! This is the result how the basking ramp looks like. Since I'm lazy at that moment, I just line the glue as stairs for my turtles easy to go up at the basking area.

But another problem rise up as the green sponge at the basking area doesn't last long, again a few chunks of it stuck in my intake filter.. how it happen? when my turtles goes up and down, they tend to pull it and hold the sponge until the sponge tear off, the pieces of it got stuck in my intake filter. The glue lines I made as a stair also didn't turn out so good where Kiki and Riri find it fun to bite it, pull it and chew it~! ho~! (see above picture) I was wondering, where is it gone? Oh my God, they eat the silicone glue~! Thank God, the glue didn't harm my turtles (I hope so?) because they pooped back as they can't digest it. Then I buy another piece of plexiglass then I make new basking area platform and glue all the surface with small river rocks and entire of basking ramp!

My turtles are fast learner I think.. hihi.. because they already get used to the new improved basking area after 48 hours I setup the whole basking area. Every steps or changes that I made at their basking ramp and platform, I make sure all the glue and rocks are firms and tight before I place them. I soak the whole stuff inside soap water for whole night to make all the glue smell gone and theres nothing chemical left on it. Atleast the each step takes 2 days before putting it at the place.

I think thats all for now. I'll update more about my turtles tank in future.

Presenting... Kiki and Riri

2009-04-20T17:38:00.005+08:00

Previous post, I do introduce my new turtles, both are female and no name yet. Today they've grown so much and almost 10months.. they will be 1 year old by 26 June 2009. Here I present my Kiki and Riri~~!

Kiki and Riri - one month age

Currently, Riri is resting at basking area, Kiki just about to join Riri basking.

I'm BaCk~~ after depression of loss

2009-04-20T17:29:00.001+08:00

Hello and welcome to my blog. Its been 8 months since the last post. I know its quite long never update anything about me, about my turtles and everything about my turtle world. So what happen to me? Where I've been? I LOST MY BELOVED TOTTO and TOTTI last year somewhere in October 2008. Until now I never find them. So that time, I felt so depressed and felt my life meaningless because of the lost really killing me inside. I've been taking care of my turtles for 2 years, provide them everything and anything that will make their life happy. But why Totto and Totti jump out from the pool together and ran away with leave me a note??! Why~! They should tell me where are they going so that I can visit them.. BUT?~!... huhuhu.. Maybe I sounds crazy but thats how I fell when lost something that I really love and care about.

Since the lost, I never took care of my 2 females turtles (hatchling 6 months) and the boxie, Yellow. I don't even see them, play with, give food or even care to change their water and clean up their tank. I'm lost! I just don't care anymore! I really missed Totto and Totti. I only want them! Sometimes I even had a dream at night that in my dream, Totto and Totti one day will come back again to me... But.. its just a dream. From November last year until February 2009, my dad who help me alot taking care my others turtles. Thanks Abah.

NOW.. By end of February, I don't know what makes me wanted to breath again and I started to like my other turtles. I think because I see them in very poor condition with green water and algae started to grow on their shell and they not happy! I know, I make their life miserable for 5 6 month. So I wonder, why I have them if I don't care to them at first place? So, my journey begin here and I promise I will give all my turtles wants and build back the happy life be with my turtles.. So its me back again with my 2 turtles namely Kiki and Riri and boxie name Yellow~!

She is Malayan Box Turtle

2008-09-24T20:51:00.003+08:00

Last post I've not mentioned what kind of this new turtle I got.. after searching some information from friends around the world.. huhu.. here we go.. she is the Malayan Box Turtle a.k.a Ambonian or Cuora Amboinensis an Exotic Freshwater Turtles. Right now she is 11 months year old.

So far, I have no problem having her as new turtle.. is just for first 3 days, she won't eat anything I feed her. Maybe she just too scared because the new environment and new friends around her. Before this, she was put in a fish tank with big big fish and dirty water like so green and smelly even the tank got filtration.. Haiyoo.. once I got her, I cleaned up her shell and put her in the tank with other my 2 RES, Totto and Totti.

Right now she doing great where she want me to hand feed her. Owh ya, not to forget, the owner before this used to feed her cat food~! the biscuit cat food~! What a crazy man. Hahaha... No more cat food.. now her diet same as my other turtles where I give her Nutrafin Pellets, some krill (once a week), and lettuce. I think she try to adjust the diet and can accept the food.

I really want to keep this turtle!

New Turtle~!

2008-09-21T18:17:00.009+08:00

Isn't she cute?! Hehe... I just got this new turtle from the person who no longer can taking care of her. I do not know what kind of this turtle yet but I will find it soon~! and I think this turtle is female because she got short nails and tail.. huhuhu...

What makes me amazed about this lil turt is dat she can hide herself inside the shell completely~! You can't even see her tail or legs or head.. Forsake to post the picture, she allow me to take her picture and give some pose.. hehe..

Pictures~!

2008-09-18T13:12:00.005+08:00

My handsome Totto... see the middle picture... Totto can makes my heart melts.. ~!!

This is lovely sweetie Totti... lately she been piggy~! eating so much!

My cutest babies~! this 26 September 2008 they will be 3 months~! yeay... Hmm no name yet!

Totto and Totti resting at basking ramp...

The babies also hang at their resting ramp.. They grown up~~!

Turtles Pool!

2008-09-18T12:59:00.004+08:00

Here I want to show the stages of my turtles pool which I begin with 10 gallons kiddie pool with some colored rocks, plastic green grass, fake plant and also 2 huge driftwoods for basking platform.

After 2 months using that 10 gallons kiddie pool, my turtles grown up and I had to put them in big pool to give them spacious swimming area. Now they have 60 gallons pool with the same decorations and additional of river rocks.

Why I used the kiddie pool? because my mum didn't allow me to buy a big tank for my turtles because we don't have any space in the house to put them. So as alternative, I use the kiddie pool and place them outside the house on the porch. The benefits from it, my turtles got such a real life out there with indirectly sunlight everyday and I don't have to buy those UVB and UVA lights for them.

Complete Setup!

2008-09-18T12:44:00.006+08:00

Yeay~! Finally my turtles got their own tank with all the basic equipment they needed. I place their tank at my rental apartment. So the tank is temporary and give a little space swimming room for them. They also have the basking area which still under construction where I still need to improve the floor of the cage. My turtles don't like the pink foam pad where I put it for them. They hate it so much. Totti already bite every edge of the foam pad!~ thank god she pooped back. hehehe...

Owh ya, not forgetting my hatchlings tank also I do some renovation where I make the basking platform also the rest ramp for them. I've made it from styrofoam and I glue the green sponge to it and stick those basking platform and rest ramp inside at the tank wall.

Story of my babies

2008-07-26T12:38:00.004+08:00

It's been a while I didn't write any story of my babies. First of all, in taking care new babies kind of putting them in ICU ward because they do really need Intensive Care for first 3 months as survival period in new world. Why is that? For new baby was born, they don't have immune strength to help them fight for any disease or any healthy problem.

So I really need to take care this 2 hatchlings very careful and always keep on eyes if there any symptoms of sickness comes up. Its been a month since I have them on 26 June 2008 and yes, one of my babies been attacked somewhat with eyes problem where I have no idea why suddenly she closed her eyes and when sometimes she opened her eyes I saw red line meaning that her eyes got infection (maybe from chlorine water tap) and makes her eyes swelling also not eating.

In order to fixed the situation, I went to pharmacy and buy the Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil (the plain original) and put some at my baby eyes with q-tip. I do that for three times a day and after 3 days she started to open her eyes back! That time I felt so happy and more happy because she also want to eat pellets as regular. Fiuhh.. I saved my baby~!

Oh not to forget, since the water from the tap is treated with chlorine so I buy anti-chlorine solution and put in my babies and adults turtle tank.

This is picture of her getting better and healthier.

This is both of them. Actually the sick one (right side) have another sick problem where her shell is not healthy and looking good. I'll post another story later about her shell condition.

2 Female Hatchlings

2008-06-29T22:13:00.004+08:00

Its been a long time I decided to have new turtles though I already have 2 turtles. I want it badly because they are so cute and makes me crazy thinking of their cute little face..haha.. So I went to Aquatic Store near my house and buy 2 hatchlings turtles for RM16 for two. They are totally cute.. yeay~! After I buy the babies then I told my boyfriend and my parent.. hehe.. they quite suprised and little angry.. haha.. now they fine.

Its been 3 days since I got the baby turtles.
But one of my babies looks like have some white spots or fungus at her skin and her shell also looks not pretty good which have some black spot though I know she going to shed her shell soon. In order to fix the problem... I had fixed my table lamp because the bulb is broken and change the bulb (not actually new bulb, is just my dad found in his store and give it to me).. the table lamp not for me to use for study matter but for my babies.. haha.. The light is substitute for sunlight to them basking and give some heat to them in that small aquarium..

The small aquarium made only for hatchling which have small bridge and base for them to basking.. I hope my sick baby will get better soon.

I feed my babies with Nutrafin pellets made for turtles, some dried shrimp, cuttlebone (rich with calcium and good for shell) and fresh lettuce.

Totto & Totti the RES

2008-06-04T13:16:00.010+08:00

First of all let me introduce my turtles/terrapins/tortoise. They are the Red Ear Sliders (RES) and scientific name are Trachemys scripta elegans. I have 2 turtles namely Totto the male 2 years age and Totti the female 1 year 9 months age.

Currently they live in kiddie pool where I place them outside my house at the porch. They have quite large swimming space and the water level is 5 inch deep. Inside the pool I decorate with plastic grass, plastic aquatic plant, river rocks, crystal colored stones and large driftwood for them to bask on it and rest on it after tired swimming. Basically they love their 'home' and always seen them basking most of the time and swimming around.

For their diet, I feed them with Nutrafin Pellets which made only for turtles, vegies such lettuce, fruits like mango, banana, guava, dried shrimps, fish flakes and cuttlebone.

Totto the left side and Totti on the right side

One day I will be buy them a big tank with real plant and decorate the tank like real pond. They will have a filters to clean up the waters, heater for good water temperature, good basking light for their shell.