General Care Discussion :: Tile

[Kallistos]

I'm thinking about adding some tiles to cover the bottom of my tank? Is this reccomended? IF so, what type of tile? Granite,ceramic?

Abrasive tile would be nice, because it'd keep there nails trimmed down and it looks nice and easy to clean.

What do you think?

Would bare-bottom be better?

[grey goose]

Bare bottom is always best, cleaning-wise. I've got some granite (I think) tiles, but it dosn't cover the whole bottom, just in some stratigic spots. I don't think you can use the ceramic ones with the white backing. I think they may break down under water.

[Kallistos]

I just thought the glare of the glass bottom may be annoying/irritating for the turtles. Also, running around always seeing your reflection would annoying the crap out of me. I was thinking just some granite tiles, easy to clean and takes away glare.

[missibsu]

None abbrasive substances are better. The nails don't need to be filed down, for the males it is a sexual characteristic, and you don't want to mess with that. The abbrasive material can damage the shell as well.

[Kallistos]

I see, so will it be okay if I cover the entire bottom with some non-abrasive tile? Those will be easier to clean also!

[missibsu]

I don't see why not. I don't know what type is best though. I know that supposedly bricks give off a substance in the water that isn't healthy. I don't know all of the details on that, or what other products aren't good. The other thing I see is getting waste stuck under and around. It could make your tank messier.

[Kallistos]

That won't be hard to siphon off. I'll try to find the tile that's coated all the way around, so that chalky substanse doesn't show. For anyone that DOES use Tiles, what kind do you use? Thanks missibu for the responses

[grey goose]

I got mine at the Home Depot. They are solid, with a rough finish, 6"x6", 5 or 6 to a box. I can't rember what I paid, but if they were expensive, I would of remembered. I built my basking ramp and platform out of them. The extras I placed in the bottom. (Note to self: E-Mail that darn niece of yours and get your camera back!).

[Kallistos]

Rough finish means, abrasive right? or is the top surface smooth? Does the tile give off any substance? Cloud the water?

[grey goose]

Well I picked the rough surface so they could climb up the ramp easier. The ones on the basking area are relatively smooth. Its not like sandpaper, not abrasive in that sense. But they are solid, and they have been in Bozo's tank for over 5 years, no probs as far as leaching in the water, or causing any ill effects, as far as scratching his shell.

[CountryGirl68]

I just thought the glare of the glass bottom may be annoying/irritating for the turtles. Also, running around always seeing your reflection would annoying the crap out of me.

You could try using some backing on the bottom of the tank. Instead of buying backing for the back of the tank, get one that resembles stones/gravel and place it on the underside of the tank.

As someone mentioned in another post, the tank decorations seem to be mainly for our "viewing pleasure"; the turtles don't seem to care either way.

[BullDog]

I was worried about about the glare on the bottom of my tank too, as it was on a piece of white foam (which hurt MY eyes). So before I set up the tank, I just put a piece of package wrapping (that thick, brown paper for shipping stuff) under it so it would be a more neutral colour.
It was free for me, but even if you had to buy it, it would be a lot cheaper than tile. And, it's easier to cut than tile

[Kallistos]

I'll definately look into some paper to put on the bottom of my tank, that'd be a super easy fix, it'd be cool if it resembled rocks too. Do you by any chance have a link to that kind of paper country girl? Or a company name something for a lead.

[CountryGirl68]

Resowner, you can find that paper at any large pet store. They have many different kinds, some look like sand, rocks, pebbles, even plants. It's referred to as aquarium backing or something like that.

[Kallistos]

Yeah when I asked that question I was out of it. I now realize that the backround for the sides of the tank is what you mean. I'll be using this instead of tiles, no need to clean (no tiles) and it looks natural. TOday I went to the hardware store and got

Wire mesh
Sheet of acrylic
Gutter guard

I'll post what I plan on doing