So, I responded to an add on craigslist for 2 Mississippi mud turtles, free with setup, that were former classroom pets and the teacher wasn't up to it anymore. I research them, decide I want them, and go and pick them up.

They weren't Muds.

I am faced with 2 adult female RES's.

I did NOT bargain for this. I'm still pleased with them, they're very neat, and I've never kept water turtles before, so it's a fun new experience...except, these two giants came in a 20L tank TWENTY GALLONS! They've lived in it their entire lives, but as soon as I got it all setup, I realized just how incredibly small it is, and how stressed they are.

ahhh, but I have an idea! Marcelene, one of my bp's, had a 40gal breeder tank! Sooo I decided to ignore the 'do not fill with water' warning on the 40 gal. tank, and went ahead and filled it with water. it's not ideal in the least, but it's MUCH better than this.soo, I swap them, set everything up, add turtles...and they're SO much happier already.

I decided I'd better do some research, and subsequently found dozens of horror stories of busted tanks with the same warning...Soo I get a plastic tub, and try to siphon water out. It's not coming. I suck on the end of the hose really hard and immediately am choked by NASTY TURTLE WATER! ewwww. (Well, it was just put in today, but still!!!) after wrestling with the hose, and spraying water all over my kitchen, it finally cooperated. I got half the water siphoned out, so it should be safe now (only 4 1/2 inches) but this is turning into such a headache. Dx Why couldn't they have been the turtles I thought they were?? lol...I'm not complaining, I'm not complaining...

I know 40 gal is FAR too small for 2 females, and 4 1/2 inches is far too shallow, but I breathe a little easier knowing that at least they're in a better position than they were. I live in a trailer with weak floors, so I can't get a big tank yet, but I'm moving into our new house late this summer, and I'm going to look for 90-125 gallons of tank.

Moral of the story? I'm not sure. I'm so happy to have them...but I never bargained for this.