Habitat - Indoor :: Seeking some advice for my new tank setup

[DomkeBoy]

My RES is about a year old. Shell measures 3" and I am pretty sure its a female. I am switching the tank once again. I want to put "Speedy McGoFast" into the 44 gallon tank I already have that I will be using 30 gallons of water in. I just want to purchase the following things before doing so. Being...

Reptology Internal Filter (175REP)
Via Aqua Titanium Heater (150w)
Zoo Med Basking Dock (Large)
Zoo Med Combo Deep Dome
Zoo Med 5.0 UVB Bulb (screw in)

All of this will cost under $180 shipped considering the shopping I have done. I currently have Speedy in a 20 gallon tank with it just over half full of water. I know this is not good... When Speedy was a baby we had a 10 gallon tank. When we doubled in size my girlfriend bought an internal filter. It was pretty cheap and definitely broke. My girlfriend also purchased submersible heaters, a couple on two separate occasions. Both cheap and Im pretty convince both have broken. Speedy does have a basking station & a UVA bulb on 12 hours a day set on a timer.

I feel like a bad turtle parent & sadly enough I think my girlfriend has almost completely given up & basically neglecting "her" turtle now. I must take this into my hands now & solve some problems. Speedy barely moves or eats. I still feed with reptomin sticks & worms. I've been very worried about the tank temperature & the lack of light given. Plan to get a way to hang the dual pod over the tank. I should have the money to purchase those things very soon to give Speedy a more comfortable living situation. I am curious to what input I can get here. Obviously I've been doing some research on my own & ignoring what the haggard people that give me advice say. Y'all are the experts.

It's about to be winter here in Northern Michigan & the new tank is going to be down in my basement against a concrete wall. I plan to put some sheet insulation behind the tank. One thing I was really curious about is what I should do about a back drop inside of the tank on the back so Speedy doesn't have to live in 4 reflective walls forever along with plants? Currently there is a black back drop I only have one fake plant in a little jar with rocks under his basking station. I will include pictures. Please add in anything I may be over looking, try not to hate me too much though... I do not like my current setup & I am sure Speedy is over it too, so I will be change this as soon as possible. Thank you for any help.

Currently in my room...

Just cleaned & trying both (possibly dead) heaters at once...

The new tank I want to setup in the basement...

[steve]

Welcome to the site.

I would consider a canister or a hang-on-tank style filter instead of an internal filter. They take up less room in the tank and will have more media options/room too. I don't know about the Via Aqua Titanium Heater, though it seems pretty good. The most recommended brand here is Ebo Jagers, and they will cost less than a titanium one. You still need a basking lamp, though a regular incandescent one will work in he setup you've described.

I wouldn't worry about using any backdrop in the tank. When they're in the water, I don't think it's very reflective either.

[DomkeBoy]

Tested the 44 gallon tank earlier. It leaks pretty good, so I have to re-seal it up...

Welcome to the site.

I would consider a canister or a hang-on-tank style filter instead of an internal filter. They take up less room in the tank and will have more media options/room too. I don't know about the Via Aqua Titanium Heater, though it seems pretty good. The most recommended brand here is Ebo Jagers, and they will cost less than a titanium one. You still need a basking lamp, though a regular incandescent one will work in he setup you've described.

I wouldn't worry about using any backdrop in the tank. When they're in the water, I don't think it's very reflective either.

Thank you. I gathered that Ebo Jagers & Via Aqua were some of the best to choose from. I really liked the external temperature controls on the titanium one personally. I just ordered the 5.0 UVB bulb, so I will be running that in a separate dome like you see in the picture. Will be on the timer along with the UVA bulb. Think that should be better for Speedy than what I have now. Probably going to wait on the combo deep dome for now. Should be ordering the basking dock & heater fairly soon. I planned to get the filter last actually. I don't mind how much room it takes up, but I will definitely look into "canister" style. I purchased the hang on type that goes on the side of the tank once before, but returned it due to the fact I don't run the water level high enough. Will continue to research more though :]

[apondfortimmy]

I want to put "Speedy McGoFast" into the 44 gallon tank I already have that I will be using 30 gallons of water in.

I love this. Speedy McGoFast.