Introduction

[J.M. Moon]

Hi! My name is Judith Moon. I am 56 and have been married to the world’s best husband for 37 years. We have devoted most of our lives to animals. Just recently we became involved in turtles and turtle rescue. I joined a local club and met some of the most delightful people. I do website design for clubs and personal websites. I designed the Seattle Turtle and Tortoise Clubs site and now some of the members. I’ve been doing a lot of sites in trade for turtle equipment and now in trade for a diamondback terrapin. I looked up all the information on the web before accepting the offer. Now I need to learn even more before this beautiful creature comes to live with me. We have rescued two RES and purchased a hatchling map. The stories of all my rescues and purchases are given on my website below. J.M. Moon – Peaceful Acreshttp://home.earthlink.net/~peacefulacresDo not do an act of kindness, instead live a life of kindness.

[Todd Stockwell]

Judith; You made it to the right group! Welcome and congratulations on getting a dbt – the best of the turtles! Do you know what subspecies your new dbt is? What age and size? There is a lot of dbt information on the Diamondback Terrapin Keeper site maintained by one of our moderators (hi Chun!). You can find a link to the Keeper and Breeder sites on the home page of this list through Yahoo. The archives of this group contain past discussions on many important dbt topics, but please let us know what specific questions you have. There are many very experienced keepers here that can help. Todd in Texas “J.M. Moon” wrote:

[diamondback_terrapin]

Welcome to the group, Judith, but please proceed with caution. There’s a virus going around named the “malaclemys syndrome.” Its symptoms are unabashed adoration and attachment to the species Malaclemys and the constant drive to obtain new additions to an existing collection. This virus is incurable and often results in empty bank accounts, capsized kayaks while looking for the elusive species, planned vacactions around Malaclemys populations, and the purchase of a digital camera or camcorder. Victims of this syndrome are called dbtnuts! Cheers. Chun Tail Moderator and yes, dbtnut… — In diamondbackterrapins@y…, “J.M. Moon”

[J.M. Moon]

Chun, Don’t know if I qualify, but I must say, I’ve seen two Diamondback hatchlings and they were so adorable. I’m very glad this offer came up when it did. I have two extra tanks, a 30 and a 40 gal. I have the filter, heater and thermometer for the 30 gal. plus a basking lamp. I’m waiting to see which one I am getting as this person has several I think. J.M. Moon – Peaceful Acreshttp://home.earthlink.net/~peacefulacresDo not do an act of kindness, instead live a life of kindness.

[Julie Tougas]

LOLROTF!!!! But its so true. Turtles in general are adictive. I cant seem to stop buying them. My b/f thinks that I need to see a shrink! Julie diamondback_terrapin wrote:

[Reptileszz]

Hi Judy, what kind of filter do you have for the 30 gallon? The only reason I ask is that a “normal” fish filter won’t do. You will need one that filters AT LEAST 3x the amount of water than you have if not more. For instance you will want a filter to do at least 90 gallons per hour (gph) if you have 30 gallons to filter. As an example, I have a Fluval 404 on a 30 gallon tank right now and it filters in the neighborhood of 300 gph and there is still a lot of maintenance for these guys. Actually in hindsite I think the Magnum 350 is a way better filter for the money. Just babbling about filtration. Carole

[J.M. Moon]

Julie, It is even worse when you are offered the turtles! J.M. Moon – Peaceful Acreshttp://home.earthlink.net/~peacefulacresDo not do an act of kindness, instead live a life of kindness.

[J.M. Moon]

Carole, Well, luckily I found a brand “Whisper” and a size that works very well. It is rated to handle 300 gal an hour. I change the filters on all the tanks on a weekly basis. I also do a partial clean every other Sunday for everybody except hatchlings….they get a full cleaning. J.M. Moon – Peaceful Acreshttp://home.earthlink.net/~peacefulacresDo not do an act of kindness, instead live a life of kindness.

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