Habitat - Indoor :: just got new tank/stuff...need sum help...

[Money-Green Rocks!!]

this is the new stuff that i was given, i don't know all the technical names so i hope my descriptions are ok!!

tank/light hood (30gallon)
gravel (don't yell at me, it's already in the trash!!
internal whisper power filter (tetra)
refill cartridges
the thing u put in the bottom to make the air bubbles
black plastic thing that is suppose to go in the bottom of the tank (it covers the complete bottom, had fish in it back when it was inuse)

so, i have everything hooked up, i am just now trying to tweek it all and need sum help on what kind of heater and uva/uvb light is the best to get

i am not using the black thing in the bottom, instead i have turned one of the pieces (two piece thing) into money-green's basking dock. i have been looking everywhere for the right dock and couldn't find one. i took sum thick, clear plastic and secured it to the black thing (mainly cause the black thing has slits all through it and i was worried about her claws getting stuck in it and breaking!). but i secured them to each other with zip ties and went to a craft store and got sum large suction cups and attached them to the sides of the "dock" with zip ties. it works wonderfully!!

does anyone know if they make the uva/uvb bulb for the llight hood?? wouldn't that be better?

i also got a thermometer that sticks to the outside of the tank, are those even accurate at reading the water temp? i was in a hurry (running later for work) and couldn't remember was kind to get so i just grabbed that one, but money isn't that much of an issue right at this moment so let me know what is best to get please.

i also am planning to get a 100 gallon tank very soon (thank you tax return!!). this will be her final tank!! i have had sum trouble getting her what she has needed the past 5 years but hopefully no more!! anywho, in a tank that big, do i need two filters? two under water heaters? if so, what would be best? she has been patient with me so she will only recieve the best i can get her!!

anyone out there actually take their turtle to the doc?

[BullDog]

Yes, you should be able to find a UVB tube light that will fit in your hood. Just find out your hood size (often 30g hoods are a 36" light), and then look for a 5% UVB bulb. Here's an example of what they look like (there are other brands)


Just make sure there is no glass/plastic between the bulb and your turtle's basking area, as that will block the UV light.

Stick on thermometers are just fine for quick ref. That's what I've got on my tanks. I also use a digital thermometer to double check water and basking temps, especially when I do a water change.

On a 100g tank, you would be fine with one monster filter. My personal recommendation is a Fluval FX5 (I've got two of those myself), but another good filter would be the Rena XP4.
You could also do two filters if you prefer, but I think that would work out more expensive (and more work!).
Heaters, it depends on your room temperature. If the room temp isn't too cool, I think one 300W heater would heat it sufficiently. If the room is cooler, you might need two heaters (one at each end of the tank usually works best).
Heater wise- The Stealth brand is popular because they're unbreakable. I've got a Hagen Elite brand heater, and just bought another of that brand for my fish tank. They're less expensive, and I'm happy with how they work. There are lots of heaters out there, so it depends on what's available to you and how much you want to spend.


Sounds like the black thing might have been an under gravel pump? Sounds like you made a good dock out of it
On the gravel you don't have to throw it out (just don't put it in the turtle tank). See if you can sell it. I see aquarium gravel for sale in the classifieds from time to time, selling from $5-10. Or, you could hang on to it for now. Since it sounds like you're going to upgrade at some point, you could eventually re-sell the 30g as a package, gravel included.

[Money-Green Rocks!!]

the glass on the hood is right above my filter and as the water comes out, it splahes a bit onto the glass. if i were to take that off, is there any kind of hazard (fire/shortage) i should be aware of? is the uvb rays harmful to us? my 4 yr old likes too watch money swim around with her face up to the glass!

i will try one heater at first, then if need be, get a second one. 75 degrees for the water, right?

i will go with your personal recommendation on the filter. there are many pet stores here where i live so i am sure someone sells it.

actually, you are right the black thing was the under gravel pump/filter. but makes a much better dock, thanks!! too late, already trashed the gravel! oh well, i am planning on that once money is in her final tank with all that she needs, on expanding my non-homosapien (sp?) children. thinking 2 fancy mice in her old 10gallon tank and maybe a SMALL snake in her current tank (my daughter loves snakes). but i will diffinetly do all my research and product purchasing before i expand my lil zoo!!

[BullDog]

Not sure about safety of removing the glass - hopefully someone with experience on that can help out. I'm wondering if you could cut a piece of egg crate to put in place of the glass? It would protect the bulb a little bit, but still let the UVB through.

The UVB bulbs could be harmful if you stare directly at them, but looking through the glass (and most likely through the water) of the aquarium shouldn't pose any risk.

~74-76F is good for an adult RES.

On the filter - check eBay. You can often find them for a good deal there. I got my first FX5 from ebay for about $220 CAD, shipping included.