Soft Shell Turtle Help?

I had 2 softies, they were awesome, but they just kept growing and growing.

They get HUGE!

They need a big big tank, fine sand for substrate (several inches deep.), no sharp things in their tank, crystal clear water, and a really good filter system.

They need to eat minnows and turtle food as babies. They're really messy eaters. They are powerful swimmers, and will sometimes run into the wall at full speed to test it. They are as fast as a lightning bolt when they need to be. (Don't underestimate them.)

They are prone to shell infections, and if you have any sharp gravel they will cut themselves, and die from infection.

There's some debate whether they need UVB, as they don't spend a lot of time basking, but I'd recommend at least a normal turtle UVB light (Doesn't need to be the highest power bulb.) and some kind of dock so they can climb out of the water for a few minutes here and there.

They need 80F degree water, and with the amount of water they need, it usually means a high power heater. It needs to be very durable, as the turtles will knock it around a lot.

They spend a lot of time buried in the sand with just their head poking out. It's really cute.

They also eat a LOT more than a painter or slider, about the same as a snapper, and just as aggressive. You can't pick them up with your hands, you need a net. They also bite, and bite HARD.

Painted turtles or sliders bite accidentally, but it's just a pinch, snappers and softys bite HARD, and on purpose.

I had 2 as babies in a 55 gallon tank, and within a year I moved them up to a 75 gallon tank. They really need BIG tanks.

They are not good turtles for beginners.

I'd recommend a painted or slider as an ideal first aquatic turtle.

They are much more robust, esp once they get over 4 inches or so, grow much more slowly, and don't need a very big tank, or lots of special care, just an hour a day, or every other day.

So, in review:

They get big, they need a really big tank and a lot of expensive equipment, they eat a lot, are a lot of work to clean up after, and are really cool to watch. They usually die from neglect, shell infections, a bite from another turtle, or beating themselves up because they are in a tank that's just way too small. You will spend more than an hour a day, on average with softshells, just maintaining, cleaning, feeding, changing water, swapping filters, driving around to get stuff, etc.

I spend at least an hour a day just watching them, they really are fascinating to watch, as they're always doing something. They are really amazing at holding their breath under water. Mine both slept under the sand on the bottom of the tank, and held their breath the whole time.

Softshells are notoriously difficult to keep- definitely not for the beginner. I recommend you read every pertinent care sheet and turtle book you can find. I have raised several of them- their favorite foods are earthworms and tiny minnows. They also require clean, filtered water, and should be kept at slightly cooler temperatures than most other turtles.

well, softshell turtles come usually in florida. They can eat anything from mealworms to the reptomin (or whatever other turtle stick brand) and they can be a bit tough when they are older for they can grow quite big, (a foot or more). They love sand and to dig under it. pebbles might give them trouble when they dig so sand is the best.