Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: RES paradise

[ILLskILL]

Hello everyone, I have just joined the site to show you my red ear slider, and her habitat. I just upgraded from a 20 gallon to a 50 gallon rubbermaid, and will eventually upgrade to. A 120 gallon stock tank.
'
I got our RES at the pet store, she was dropped off by bad previous owners. She is named "Tortuga" which is Portuguese for turtle.

I build her above tank habitat by hand, and she absolutely loves it.

Using an infrared heat lamp (ceramic) and a 26w repti-glo fluorescent bulb.

Can't add photos from my cell, site accepts small photos only... I'll have to add some soon via computer...

[steve]

Welcome to the forum! That preformed pond is only 50 gallons?

[ILLskILL]

Welcome to the forum! That preformed pond is only 50 gallons?

Hi there, thanks for the greeting! It's not actually a preformed pond, it is a Rubbermaid 50 gallon storage bin that I bought at Wal-Mart. I then integrated the above tank habitat, used tie straps in three rows to brace the top, because it bulges with the weight of the water. I then fixed the filter which I'll be replacing for a much larger filter soon. Here she is basking on the grass to my right as I type this on my cell, sitting on the couch watching Indiana Jones temple of doom. Lol

[steve]

Oh, those pics help clear things up, thanks! I'd bet you have some creative ideals for that stock tank.

[penelope]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like your gal got her own little slice of heaven there

[ILLskILL]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like your gal got her own little slice of heaven there

Hello there, thanks for the welcome! I do my best for her, so far she's never gotten sick or anything, I'm fairly certain she's a happy turtle!

I actually have a lot of aquariums, two 30 gallons, two 20 gallons and a ten gallon, as well as the turtle and her 50 gallon.all tanks are kept clean and happy, I do all research and all my fish are healthy and happy.

Two convict cichlids, two balanced sharks, two Koi, one jack demsey, one red tail shark, one albino dwarf frog, 4 shrimp, and two Livingston cichlids. Pleco in all tanks. (except res)

[Kansasslider]

That makes for a lot of cleaning. Welcome.

[ILLskILL]

Spent all day building this new brace, and there is no more bowing or fear of Rubbermaid failure. Tomorrow I'm Going to the hardware store for some metal brackets, for extra reinforcement which just seals the deal.

I will be upgrading one more time to a 100 gallon stock tank, and this bracket will be then made into the New above tank habitat. I plan to build a large foam rock/waterfall feature integrating live plants and realistic landscaping.

[ILLskILL]

Some more photos

[ILLskILL]

She loves her new habitat.

[steve]

Looks cool! Those containers can still crack and leak, you might want to consider lining the outside with some plastic.

[ILLskILL]

Looks cool! Those containers can still crack and leak, you might want to consider lining the outside with some plastic.

Lining the brace with plastic you mean? The only place I can imagine it cracking is at the footing at the bottom... But the bottom bows to make a lot of contact area, so it should be good for at least 6 months as I slowly prepare the "mountain side" for the final waterfall feature.

Just hoping I've done enough to keep for the time being... Should be good, the brace is precisely measured, the container doesn't bulk even a little bit.

[ILLskILL]

So I went out today and found a whole bunch of free Styrofoam. It will take a while to process it down to sheets and cubes, but it will add to my pride when it's done. I took a hexagon table that slides open for an extension, removed the hardware and realigned the table to make a corner. (see photos)

This will be amazing by the time it is finished, but it will take me a long time.

[steve]

What do you plan on coating the foam with? There should be an example on the forum where they used concrete.

[ILLskILL]

I have been thinking of a hardcoat... Something strong but non toxic...