Review on 🐢 Optimized Tetra ReptoMin Floating Sticks: Ideal Food for Aquatic Turtles, Newts, and Frogs by Mario Beaklini

This is by far the best product for my red-eared sliders, also known as pond sliders. That's how I got her close to the Guinness Book of World Records in captivity for her breed! I've tried other products in the 22 years that I've had 2 turtles and they just aren't as good. My biggest gripe with the others I have is that they aren't as hardy as these - the others break down quickly in the water leaving a lot of waste and I have to feed them slowly, handfuls at a time. Using ReptoMin (vet recommended) I pour 1/2 cup of each in my area in the water and let it sit for 5 minutes and come back to have them all gone and no waste/no mess! I do the same thing, just 1/3 cup next time (they will eat slower) and then 1/4 each time until they stop eating. Sometimes they stop eating to go potty and once they do they start eating again, so don't be fooled. I feed only once every 4-5 days, and if out of town, then with an interval of up to 12 days. Small turtles need more often, but I don't believe in restricting their diet. They will eat until they are full and will stop or not eat at all if they are not hungry. They don't seem to eat out of boredom, unlike me! I've seen people eat only a few bites at a time, and I'd rather throw away some than not give them what their bodies are telling them. I feed mine in the tub which my husband and I wipe down with water when we're done showering and when they're done eating I wipe them down with water after removing and draining all solid debris. We have the cleanest bathroom around! But it's true, if you keep this up, it won't last long. We never have to "clean" the tub/shower. If you have small turtles, I recommend a plastic bath with lukewarm water - it seems almost chilly to us as the tap water is around 77F (72F and below, they probably won't eat if their bodies start to pass out for hibernation). when it's colder) and drop your ReptoMin in close proximity to each turtle as you don't want them to spend time foraging/swimming to their food and taking in more water than food. You will bite right into the water layered with sticks. I have found that if they take too long to eat, like me, they lose their appetite and stop eating until they are full. And then they get hungry again sooner than usual. They will be very pleased that their tank and filters hardly need replacing compared to feeding them there and they are a real joy to be a happy caretaker. It's great that Teresa and Theodora don't beg for food between meals, so if one or both need my attention (they can make a lot of noise while slapping their water!), they either want to leave. Walking and climbing (although there is a dry zone in her pelvis), "back-scratching" (gently rubbing her shell and/or scratching it lightly with your nails - Teresa nudges my hand to say how much she it wants, and moves under my hand to where she likes it best), rub her limbs/head/buttocks/tail and shell with tetra cream - also the best cuticle cream, or to find a place where she can lay unfertilized eggs (usually in a dark, cool place, e.g. under a pile of laundry on the floor in a closet or under my bed etc.). They will teach you to understand them if you show them patience and attention. They tell me they want to go back to the aquarium, even if it's just to pee and drink, hit the stand and then when they want to go back they'll scream again; or if they are hungry, they go into the tub. Enjoy your healthy babies by feeding them ReptoMin! If I feed them treats, then always after eating pellets for a balanced diet. In most cases they will find room for vegetables, cucumbers, watermelon, shrimp, crickets, etc. ENSURE PROPER LIGHTING SO THAT YOU CAN DIGEST THE FOOD PROPERLY; because they literally don't fully process the calcium, which is the most important thing for a turtle! Lighting is the only way to ensure healthy, strong, beautifully colored shells and to produce eggs that don't bind and need to be surgically removed ($$$) by a vet or they could die. I hope this helped at least one person. I have rescued many turtles from their owners who didn't know what to do with them. They're a lot tougher than you can imagine, but they're rough and tough when healthy!