Habitat - Indoor :: help with habitat build

[Eltemp]

I have thought about doing something like that with my tank. The one thing to consider is how to water proof all the horizontal wood surfaces. They will no doubt get some water on them sometime.

Do a search on tortoise table building. Tortoise owners have found all sorts of ways to do this, from pond liners, to shower curtains, polyurethane, liquid glass and a few others.

[steve]

just trying to figure out what i could connect to the stock tank edges so they wont just flop out to the floor, i want the tank to be full

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

[coreyjw34]

well the water line will be right up to the rim, so what can i put around the edge so they don't get out?

[Kansasslider]

Oh that's what you meant. Plexiglas you can bend it with a propane torch. Or you could use some type of wire but I would go with plexi.

[steve]

You can also think of some drainage... like have river rock over some egg crate. Plexi and maybe some silicone could make a decent seal too.

[coreyjw34]

thanks for all the input, the project is coming along, i have my filter all set up and its working perfectly. hoping to start the tank build this weekend.

[Kansasslider]

Awesome keep us updated!

[steve]

And post pictures

[coreyjw34]

I was finally able to get the tank!

I don't currently have a strong enough heater so i don't have a whole lot of water for now, i have a 70gph pump going into my diy Skippy filter.

I want this to be a very natural looking environment for them so any ideas on basking areas and decorations?

for now though they seem very happy, both eating fine and not seeming stressed at all im very excited to be giving them a great habitat that they deserve.

[Kansasslider]

Basking area rocks from your area would be cool. Sand on the bottom maybe?

[coreyjw34]

So here the project is coming along great, i now have the tank almost full and the turtles seem very happy in their new large space.

i am still working on treating their shells, they seem to be improving, which is great.

will update again when i improve the tank more. hoping to add river rocks and plant decorations, (possibly try some live plants?)

[Kansasslider]

Sturdy basking platform. I used a Rock that probably weighs close to 90 lbs. It sits on top of a 5;gallon bucket with holes drilled in it.

[TortsNTurtles]

I love that basking rock. How is it set up to stay above the water? Thanks

[Kansasslider]

Its just sitting on a black 5 gallon bucket with holes drilled in it so water can pass through.. Its about 3" thich.

[coreyjw34]

hey this is a little off topic but this morning before i left to work i notices the smaller of my Res swimming right in the face of the larger, its front legs were streched out and shaking. I've never noticed this occur before. Could this mean that the smaller one is a male, it has always been much smaller but i figure "she" could be a "he" and is reaching maturity??

How large do Res grow before you can tell the gender?