Habitat - Indoor :: Newbie Needing Advice Re: Power Head Filter Please

[thailand]

The little monkey has been in the box twice since I last posted!

[Kansasslider]

No, that still won't help the ramp going into the water is should be a gradual slope like this

[Kansasslider]

well then I guess it works. Didn't see your last post because I was searching for that picture.

[thailand]

yeah...been in the box about 5 times now. But, I think you're right and the slope does seem excessive. Hmmmm....so I think I should somehow prop up the ramp to make the slope more gradual. Any thoughts on how to do that? I'm thinking perhaps if I attached a piece of plastic to the underside bottom of the box and extended horizontally out to the ramp, this would push the ramp slope out. It would make a triangular space between the box and ramp. Any chance he could get trapped in there?

[devilduck]

That's a neat idea for a built in filter!

I think you should consider hanging the basking area off the tank instead of using those long pvc legs. It will give you turtle a lot more swimming room.
See my thread here for an example:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=34081&p=325808&hilit=pvc#p325808

[thailand]

Hey devilduck that's a cool looking hang-on PVC basking area! I really like it. I'm thinking I might stick with what I've got for now (husband kindly made it for me). I realise we will have to get a larger tank for our little guy in the next 6 months or so, so I'll remember your design for then...thanks!

I've bought some sea sand today from the local aquarium shop. I understand that if I'm putting this in the bottom of the tank I need to wash it well first. Do I still need to wash it if I'm putting it in the basking area? Anyone confirm this?

[steve]

Washing will help remove fine dust, so I would do so.

[PridgNYC]

I'm not sure if sea sand is the best thing to put into the tank. Sea sand is good for saltwater aquaculture tanks, but not so good for a turtle tank. lots of calcium and salt in it, they also often have live organisms in it. Pool filter sand is better because it is graded (no fines) to a certain size granule and generally free of organic materials. Pure silica sand is best

[VeipaCray]

Aragonite sand is calcium carbonate sand. (sea sand if you will). It will very slowly dissolve in water and buffer calcium to your water column. This is great for saltwater where we're trying to maintain a PH of 8.2 and buffer calcium for corals. This isn't so good for freshwater. Aragonite sand is also very expensive compared to silica based sand. We suggest you stick with play sand / pool filter type sand (all silica based sand) for any freshwater tank.