Habitat - Indoor :: new tank setup

[muscake]

Hi Everyone, im new to the world of turtles and would just like some advice on the tank i am going to set up over the next couple of weeks.
I have a 240 litre tank (i think this is 63gallons??) and am planning on getting 2 diamond back terrapins. Do you think this is an adequate size?

The filter i have running at the moment for the fish in the tank is an Aqua One canister filter (CF-1000). Would this be fine or would i need to get a more powerful one??

Im also thinking of sand for on the bottom of the tank, and plan to fill it a little over half way.

Also i know when i set up my aquarium for my tropical fish i had to do a lot to the water before it was suitable for the fish to live in, is this necessary with the turtles?

Would appreciate your advice/opinions greatly.
Thanks!

[steve]

Welcome to the site! Bump, so hopefully our DBT expert can reply...

[muscake]

thanks

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Well first are they going to be dbt hatchlings or adults you are getting? If hatchlings then yes the tank is very good and will last you a long time but if their adults then you can be in trouble. Males of dbts stay on the small side hitting a max of around 5inches which isnt that bad for your size tank but female on the other hand will require a bigger tank as they get almost double the size of males and can get up to 9inches.

The sand will be fine for them but do you mean fill sand halfway up tank or then fill water halfway? Make the water lvl as high as you can make it but not high enough that the turtles can get on their baskign area and then climb up and over tank.

Your filter when i looked it up said it wasnt even ment for a tank that size so that is a red flag right there that your probably going to run into trouble keeping the water clean. Turtles produce much more waste compared to fish. Usually with turtles you buy a filter recommended for 3 to 4 times you tank size. So a filter for a 720 liter tank is something to look for yours.

They may not be as bad as fish but still keep the water as clean as you can. Diamondbacks need the water to be kept very clean as they are prone to shell/skin infections when water quality starts to become bad. Otherwise I think your choosing the best first turtle. Its my favorite!

[muscake]

Hi, thanks for your reply.
I am getting the turtles as hatchlings I assume. Im getting them from an aquarium shop and the owner told me at the start of January that they have just hatched and will be available end of Jan/start of Feb.
With regards to my tank size, how long do you think that it would be suitable? As in how long till they would outgrow it? Id love a new tank but wont be able to get one for probably six months.

The turtles cant climb the glass can they? So as long as i have enough room from the basking area to the top with nothing for them to climb on they wont be able to escape? My tank has a lid on it too but i guess if a turtle got up there they could easily push it open.

As for the filter it came with my tank set up but i have also just googled it and it says it is suitable for a 200litre tank, mine is 240 so i guess ill have to get a new one. Any recommendations?? I dont know why they would have sold it with that size tank!!
I know there are types of filters that go on the bottom under the gravel, are these any good? would you recommend using one of these? I just like that you cant really see it in the tank, from what i know anyway.

Im going to start next week working on my 'rock wall' for the back of the tank. Cant wait to get it started!! Just undecided on weather to use grout or dry wall mud.

Thankyou for your advice it is very appreciated. I need all the advice/help i can get as i want to do this properly and have happy little turtles hehe...

[Diamondbacks4Life]

That tank should last you a year to 2 years easy and if the hatchlings turn out to males. Then you dont have to worry about upgrading at all.

No turtles cant climb glass haha so you in correct in what you said. You said tank has a lid. IS there anything between the lights like glass or anything is there? uvb from from the lights cant pass through anything like glass or screen.

As for filtes the ungroundfilters are by far the worst choice, avoid those at all cost. The canister filters like the smaller one you have is the best choice so just shop around like i said for a canister filter that says it will be for a 720 liter tank. I warn you its gonna cost you. They can get up there in price.