Habitat - Indoor :: New Tank

[Sgt. Pepper]

I just got a 50 gallon tank and I was wondering if it'd be better to leave my turtle in his 10 gallon until I can get the appropriate filter and heater for the 50 gallon or to just go ahead and put him in the 50 with the filter/heater from the 10 gallon? There's only about 30 gallons of water actually in the tank.

Also, I keep pretty late hours so should I cover his tank at night so that he's not bothered by my lights or is that not an issue?

[octpusgirl8]

How long until you get all that? As long as your house is warm enough that the water isn't too cold and you're willing to do water changes all the time (hope you have a Python) until you get a filter i would say give him some swimming room. I don't recall how big your turtle is, if he's just a little guy i would say leave him in his warm familiar tank until his new home is all set up. If he's bigger and cramped in that little 10 gallon i would say get him into the new one if it's possible and let him enjoy it. I'm assuming you have a basking area/lighting setup for the new tank.

[Sgt. Pepper]

Possibly not until Christmas. Getting the tank has left me a little lacking in funds. It's fairly warm in here, about 76 degrees, although it feels chilly to me and the water in the new tank is still quite cold. He's still under 2 inches, about 1.7 I think, so he's still pretty comfortable in the 10 gallon.

The basking situation was just going to be moved from the 10 gallon to the 50, as the dock is still more than big enough for him.

Thanks for the advice.

[killrmack]

i say if you don't mind doing the water changes and the water is warm enough than go ahead but if not just wait it out (i would wait it out)

[N4784N R4613]

The filter doesn't matter as much as the heater(with 30 gallons of water, it should take your little guy a good amount of time to "fowl" it up). I say if you can grab a Stealth heater rated for your size tank, and use your old basking spot, and lamps, then it would be fine until Christmas(or when ever you can get the filter). The heater would only be $20.00...
Visi-Therm Stealth Heater-200 Watt

[Sgt. Pepper]

Yeah, I was looking to get that heater and I might try and do that. It'll still be a little while before I can even afford that though so for now I guess he's stayin' in the old tank.

The tank came with a heater but it's a weird one that hangs over the side of the tank so that doesn't work. I'll see about getting the heater as soon as possible, that way he can have more room.

Thanks for the help you guys!