Habitat - Indoor :: Horray!Tank for new turtle

[lunabebe4]

So today I got my tank and stuff, i ended up getting a good deal on a 50 long tank. Good thing to i love its size. In the pics the rocks to the left are stacked differently now and are more secure then before so the top flat one doesnt rock or anything. Do i need more water? And how far should the lights be from the floating dock. if anything is wrong or needs changed let me now, I get the turtle tomorrow! I am so excited.

[papoopeepoo]

Nice!

You should add as much water as you can, just make sure the gap between the top of the tank and anything the turtle can stand on is longer than their shell.

The distance of the lamps really depends upon the heat of the lamp and the intensity of the UVB. Can you tell us a bit more about your bulbs? You're aiming for a basking about 10 degrees F warmer than the water temp (or 90-95 max)

[Chrisbarnett]

Is it just me or is the tank not level? It looks as if the water angles down as it goes to the right side of the tank. Could just be the picture though.

Other than that, nice.

[papoopeepoo]

Good call, chris. It does look a bit un-level, but as long as one side is lower than the other, and not one corner lower than another it shouldn't be a problem.

[lunabebe4]

LOL it is unlevel, I think it's the house, I'm in the bottom/ basment of a old house so the ground below has probably shifted. Ok I will add more water if I can. The bulbs are 100w should I go lower?one is exto terra day lamp and other is thesame brand if infaredheat lamp, since I set it up the way it is now the basking area is at about 91 degrees and the water is at 75, I have a 300 water heater so itsnice and strong with a temp gauge to adjust.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I would shim the stand so that the tank is level. An un-level tank puts extra stress on the glass and can cause it to crack.

On that note, the stand does not look like an aquarium stand. Keep in mind you've probably got around 350 lbs of tank and water sitting on there and most furniture isn't solid enough to handle that kind of weight.

I would also flip the mounting bracket for the floating dock so that the horizontal piece of plastic is on top. I've heard of turtles getting stuck under there and drowning.

[thegrandpoohbah]

The bulbs are 100w should I go lower?one is exto terra day lamp and other is thesame brand if infaredheat lamp

Is the Exo Terra bulb a UVB 5.0? If not then you will need to replace it with one. They come in 13 and 26W varieties. The infrared heat lamp is fine but you can also use regular incandescent bulbs for the heat.

[queenjane]

Haha, I saw that little sea turtle tank ornament yesterday at PetCo... You stole from the hermit crabs and bettas, lol! (I do it all the time. )

[OTRA 10]

I have that same turtle decoration in my tank but my turtle is obsessed with it. he is constantly fluttering at it

[lunabebe4]

yea momo loves it! she kisses it and stays around it a lot

[CB]

could be me (i don't see so well) but the table looks to be a little stressed, a little sag in the center i think. sorry if i'm wrong.
cb

[lunabebe4]

Its just the way the picture is the metal stand is holding up well. I do plan on trying to find a better stand or putting the tank on top of my entertainment center which is solid oak.

[queenjane]

I have that same turtle decoration in my tank but my turtle is obsessed with it. he is constantly fluttering at it

He needs some lovin', I think.