Habitat - Indoor :: Is there something I can do to spice up my old tank?

[emma]

^there it is.

IT just seems so old now. I need something new to do with it.
The plants just basically float at the top, since I cant seem to find some new suction cups to hold them down, a few rocks, and a basking area. Nothing to exciting.

What do you suggest that i do?

[francinemarie]

maybe change the background to something more natural looking

[emma]

I just changed it the other day. My old one was really getting old to look at and for some reason made my tank look a lot smaller.

[jozzep]

Put some nice river rocks........
I add them to all my tanks.You can also add some driftwood if you don't mind spending the ca$h.

[PK-EK]

do a complete rebuild! make an above tank basking area! its easy and cheap! i made mine fore about $50

[BullDog]

I think it looks pretty nice, but you could always get a new decoration for in the tank. Just make sure it's turtle safe - No holes they could get their head or paw stuck in, and nothing they can bite off.
Lots of people use air stones too, and the turtles seem to enjoy them.

[emma]

OK! Thanks for all the suggestions!

I have always wanted to builed an above basking area. But idont know if these things would interfere:

I have 3 cats. One of them is really dumb and would probably jump on top of the tank. Are the turtles going to be safe? Like something to put over the top?

And, I have this 55 gallon tank on the second level of our home. Is that going to be a problem?

[xstefanx]

OK! Thanks for all the suggestions!

I have always wanted to builed an above basking area. But idont know if these things would interfere:

I have 3 cats. One of them is really dumb and would probably jump on top of the tank. Are the turtles going to be safe? Like something to put over the top?

And, I have this 55 gallon tank on the second level of our home. Is that going to be a problem?

As for the tank being on the second level, if it hasn't caused problems yet, I highly doubt that an ATBA will kill the floor with weight.

As for the cats though, my room mate has a cat that worries me a lot about getting to my turtle, the ATBA was actually what I came up with to stop him from getting at him. Once I am able to get the floor tile cut to size I'll have it all set up, but for now I have my plexi-glass walls in place to the cat can't get up there.

Right now to you have a screen cover on your tank or?

[emma]

yeah i have a screen cover on my tank.

I think I will try the ATBA. IT sounds like a really great idea, and will give my turtles a bunch more swimming room.

[xstefanx]

Yeah it will be good for them for sure.

Also though, that screen, how big are the holes on it? If they aren't very big then the turtles probably aren't getting the UV light they need. Glass, acrylic and mesh/screens apparently filter out the UV rays from the Bulb that you have on them, so they aren't getting all that they need.

So when you build your ATBA be sure not to have a screen in between them and the UV light. If you need something to help support it or keep it covered Egg Crate(aka: Light Diffuser) has holes big enough in it that it wont filter out the rays they need. Might even remove the screen for the time being as well.

[emma]

I cut out the screen where my UVB light is so that they can get their rays.


I'm one step ahead of ya.

[marisa]

I think an interesting piece of wood (you can buy driftwood attached to slate to weigh it down and put some of those river rocks on it to hide the base) would look nice. Your RES could also use it to rest on. Also some more greenery that comes up from the bottom rather than floating on the top. You can use aquarium silicone to attach flat rocks to the bases to weigh them down.

[elwray]

If you're willing to take the time to sift and clean it, using sand for a substrate gives the tank a whole new look, in addition to a great medium to put plants (fake or real).

You could spend a fortune on clean ready-to-go sand at the pet store, or do like I did and get the play sand from the hardware store and wash it/sift it thoroughly. It's really a pain, but I think it looks fantastic!

[emma]

I have been thinking about buying driftwood.
I will try that.
thanks!

[untsmurf]

Make sure and test your water after adding it because it can mess with your water quality.

I've also heard of driftwood leaching something into the water making it all brown, and smelly I think.