Aquarium Plants safe for turtles

[MRODR011]

Hi guys,

I know that this is mainly a fish-related forum but I figured I'd ask in case any of you know.  I am setting up a live plant aquarium for a red-eared slider turtle and would like to know if any would know any plants that are safe to use. I want a naturalistic environment and would like to know if any plants are harmful to the turtle. I was planning to use java moss and java fern as I believe they can cope with bigger substrate (I don't want the turtle to ingest small sand-like substrate), I might be wrong though...

Before anybody jumps on it, I know RES get huge and will eventually need more of a pond than an aquarium.  I am fully ready and willing to accommodate it once it gets to that size. But for know I am getting a young turtle, hatchling or slightly older. 

I don't if any of you would know but again it's better to ask.

Thanks for your feedback,
Myrka

[Shawn84]

I won`t recommend have plant with turtle. They will eat the plant. I had 2 RES in the past keeping in a tank but now reside in a pond instead and the pond don`t have any plant cause the turtle would just destroy them. And when i did keep them in the tank i had a bare bottom as the produce a tone of waste.

[exv152]

... would like to know if any would know any plants that are safe to use.

Hi Myrka, Considering the forum, I think the real question should be; are any turtles safe for the plants?

[dan2x38]

I'v heard of turtles even going after java fern... LOL java fern is not just tough but it is believe fish do not like it because it doesn't taste good. You could try to keep some fast growing plants like wisteria, water sprite, hornwort and others. Maybe keep a small tank to keep some plants going all the time. Most simple plants will grow floating so easy to keep going. I think turtles will also plow through java moss in no time so keep some in reserve.