Habitat - Indoor :: Sandstone

[eddie.0011]

Hello all, I am new here as I am sure you know. I have a 5 year old red ear slider ... Bobby... I am trying to fix up his tank because I have him in a 120 gallon in my living room. However, I want to make it as natural of an enviroment as I can for Bob. I was thinking of using sandstone for his basking area and a waterfall on the other end. I have herd that sandstone does things to the ph of the water. RES drink there water so my question is, will it affect Bobby? Thanks for your help.

[megcornell]

I would be more nervous about the stability of a stone basking area. It is difficult to secure rocks as basking areas, and there's always a risk that they will fall/break and injure or drown the turtle or break the tank. I personally think it's an unnecessary risk to take.
You could use cork bark as a natural alternative.

[eddie.0011]

Thanks, I thought about that and was hoping to start large on the bottom and kinda build up to the top. But I see your point. Where can I find the cork bark? can it be formed to look like rock? That is can it be done easily...I am no artist.

[megcornell]

I think this site is a good place to order it from: http://www.blackjungle.com/

And no, it doesn't look like rock, but it does look like a natural log basking area, which can be appealing... and it's not abrasive on shells like rock can be.

[eddie.0011]

Great site! Thanks. I like the background decor also. Bob is very much a loner and likes his privacy. I think he would like the feel of a good hiding spot between that and some thick plant life. The sandstone would look realy great but I think your right about the stability of it. Just out of curiousity, Is sandstone bad for reptiles? I was also thinking of using it for my leop gecko.