Habitat - Indoor :: Spot for a tank.

[Tucker Allen]

I was wondering if someone could get me an opinion....I am going to get a bigger tank soon. I would like to do it well enough that it's a decorative item in the house. I thought I could put it in my living room. I know I've read it should be in a low traffic area, but if the tank is big enough and has enough places to hide/hang out, would a living room be a good spot for it? During the day, Tucker would have plenty of time to bask because no one is home. What are your thoughts? Or should I keep him in our guest bedroom or basement? Thanks!

[vear]

My tank is right in the middle of my living room. It actually divides my dining room and living room space I just made sure that Tomi's basking area has covered sides so he has some privacy when he's up there. Other than that, it's fine.

[Love of Animals]

It depends on your turtle. Some are shy some aren't. Mine's in my living room. I have two boys and two dogs that are always running and jumping. My turtle could care less. Having more people around gives him more opportunity to beg.

[sflemin2]

I agree. My turtles act depressed when they can't see people. I had them in "my room" which was basically the room where I got ready in the morning (not the bedroom though), they seemed unhappy. They were very skiddish and never swam up to me. They even hid when I fed them. After I moved, I put them in the "dining room'' (Ok the big empty room between the foyer and the living room) and they seem so much better. They always swim up to me and even strangers now, and they bask all the time! They don't care who is watching! I swear they like to watch movement outside of the tank. My rather hyper dog must keep them entertained . They will be moving to the living room this weekend (In their brand new 155 gal tank!) because there is less direct sunlight in there and I think they will like the company

[Tucker Allen]

Good!! I'm glad to hear all of that. My turtle seems shy also. Maybe if I put him in the environment he'll be more friendly in time. Thanks for your input!

[steve]

The "low traffic area" reference is in regards to their basking. You'd want for your RES to bask uninterrupted and once they associate people with food, they might stop basking when they see someone and start begging.

[vear]

The "low traffic area" reference is in regards to their basking. You'd want for your RES to bask uninterrupted and once they associate people with food, they might stop basking when they see someone and start begging.

Exactly! This is absolutely the case. That's why I tried to make his basking area private. I also try to "ignore him" when he's basking so he won't come down to beg. As soon as I look at him, he's in the water, splashing away!

[sflemin2]

Lol so today both of my turtles got in the basking area ..which is usually pretty stable, it never moved before..but I guess since they stacked up on top of each other (my gosh they are weird..there is room for both of them!), it moved it and it looked like it was about to fall in the water. I picked up the basking area with them stacked inside of it to put it back in position and they just looked at me like "Um excuse me do you mind?" but they never even jumped out! haha

[Tucker Allen]

hahahaha! That's funny. It's weird/awesome how animals have personalities. I fed my turtle this morning. It is pellet day. I've read where people talk about their turtles begging....and I thought, "how can a turtle beg?" My parents have dogs and they whine and jump on you to get food....I consider that begging. Anyway, this morning, when I dropped in the pellets, he ate them extremely fast! He usually hides after I feed, but he kept looking at me like, "come on dude, give me some more." I couldn't believe it! I feel like I'm malnourishing him, but I can't be. I give him 8 pellets every other day, and vegetables every day. It was just funny to finally see him "beg" for more. Hopefully when I move him out into the living room when I get his tank, he'll be more into people because he wants food! I can't wait to move him out there, but the wife wants a new kitchen table first. Ugh......priorities in life I guess. I bought a kiddie pool at farm and fleet yesterday to put him in when it gets hot outside. I thought he would like to be in the actual sun for a little bit and run around while I sit and watch with a beer. Maybe I'll make a slide for him! haha!

[sflemin2]

How old is yours Tucker Allen? Mine use to be like that but now they are old geezers..and much more brave haha. They beg ALL THE TIME. I have been giving them dandelion leaves ..it seems to keep them busy! You might want to look into the frozen jello shots..I hear they take a while to eat . Mine have very different personalities but they are both use to people now.. they only get skiddish if I move their tank..and then they have to adjust for about 4 days...then they are back to their old selves

[Tucker Allen]

Tucker is 4.5 inches long. I'm not too sure how old he is. I wish I could tell. I might end up taking him to the vet to get him checked out. I think he has intestinal worms of some kind. Maybe they can tell me how old he is. I've heard it's hard to tell how old they are based on size because they may have been overfed. I assume he's a young adult. Anyway, every now and then, I'll put my finger up to the glass and he'll glide up to it and put his nose up to my finger. It's pretty cool. I can't wait to get him into a bigger habitat. Poor guy likes to swim and needs more room!

[KatieSmeltzer]

My tank is in my living room, for a few reasons. Mainly, I keep the bedroom a little cooler than the rest of my apartment (hello, electric bill!). And my original tank had a filter that hung on the side of the tank, and the sound of the water drove me NUTS. I wanted to put the tank in my kitchen, but there were no outlets. And that basically covers all of the rooms in my apartment!

[sflemin2]

Oh no! I hope hes OK Tucker Allen! It sounds to me like you have a young adult..but I am use to females so if he is a male then I dont know. I don't think the males get very big. If he is a young adult, don't worry, the bigger he gets, the braver he will be. Mine use to hesitantly come up to the glass up until they were about 6. I really regret not hand feeding them when they were young

Katie I know what you mean about the filter! I have two filters that shoot water out and I didn't realize I could submerge them haha. It drove me INSANE! I have the largest version of this http://www.aquahobby.com/products/e_fluvalplus_2.php and I can't even hear it now that it is submerged. I have had it for years no problem . They are awesome filters for a tank under 75 gal.. keep the water very clean!