Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Hello from Chicago!

[opflash]

Hi there everyone! Just recently signed up after reading the forums for a bit. I recently aquired x3 baby RES and am currently in the process of getting the best set up for these guys as possible. Currently I have them in a 55 gallon bare bottom tank (had gravel but took it out after learning that its dangerous for them) with some floating plastic plants and fake driftwood. Im using a floating dock with a heat lamp and UVB light. Im running a AquaClear 110 and a Marineland filter of equal size. I also have an internal filter by tetra i believe its the 40i. This set up is temporary however as I have a 90 gallon tank for them waiting to be set up with real driftwood and playsand. I have a bunch of new plastic plants also and will go with two floating docks until i can create a nice ATBA. The hold up is that Im soaking the drift wood in the 90 as its a pretty big piece . Im very excited to be a part of this community and look forward to posting pics asking lots of questions and hopefully giving back to this site by helping other people like ourselves who love these reptiles.

[steve]

Welcome to forum! We love to see some pics when you get a chance

[devilduck]

Welcome! There are quite a few Chicagoians on the board!

[dumbork14]

Welcome!

[rojo_amber]

Welcome from MI!

[opflash]

Thanks for the welcome! I have been busy today! I cleared out a lot of space in my basement workshop / turtle room (just decided thats what i want to turn it into) Anyway I have my 90 gallon set up. I couldnt wait anymore for that darn driftwood to sink even tried drilling holes in a rock and it still wanted to float! I gave up on that piece of driftwood who knows maybe ill try to keep soaking it in something else. Anyway Ive got the 90 up I rinsed my play sand prob coulda done better as the water is somewhat cloudy. So basically the turtles are in their 55 gallon tank underneath my 90 until i get the water cleared up and the tank cycled and brought up to proper temps etc. I will get some pics going for you guys and gals very soon. Im very excited about this!

[steve]

Sounds great. Anyway to weigh down that drift wood?

[VeipaCray]

Hello and welcome to the forum. What part of Chicagoland are you from? West suburbs here...

[opflash]

Hi there Im on the north side of the city.

[opflash]

Sounds great. Anyway to weigh down that drift wood?

Ugh well I was using the 90 gallon tank to soak the driftwood. I had a bucket filled with aquarium gravel and it was being held down quite nicely. I just got so impatient in wanting to get the tank started that I finally took the driftwood out cleaned out the tank and set it up. UPDATE My water is now clear! Sand settled nicely and I did a final water change. I Just picked up a new Fluval heater the one with the digital thermometer and plastic shroud. I also am going to be picking up one of the aquatop / SunSun canister filters that also include a UV sterilizer. Im going to be running my aquaclear 110 (its big but cant remember the number ) and this new SunSun canister. Ill run everything for a few days then transfer my 3 RES to their new home. I also was very excited to recieve my 48" reptisun 5.0 UVB light It looks great and isnt as overpowering as the CF UVB bulb that im currently using. Needless to say Im Very excited about this build

[steve]

Sounds good! Let us know how the filter works. I used to have a 110 as well. Good filter, though if you don't keep the tank topped up, it will lose it's prime in a power outage.