I agree with tsunami. I too tried the planted RES tank. When the turtle got bigger I couldnt keep any plants in there. I now house 3 RES in a 200 gallon with just rockwork. I feed cuttings from main tank and vegies from kitchen. They will clean up just about any mess I throw in there. Maybe when there small you can plant a turtle tank but these things get 12" accross and eat everything that is in the tank. Including 8" pleco's.