Habitat - Indoor :: Tank size and setup question

[scarr105]

Let me start off by saying I currently don't have a RES. I'm doing my research first to make sure I can provide it with everything it's going to need. I've read about the for every inch of turtle recommends 10 gallons of water, so 75 - 120G tank would be required as a full adult.

I currently have 2 55G tanks, I was wondering it placing then beside each other and connecting then via a ramp would provide the turtle the requried room as it became a full adult. I've attached a picture of the setup I'm asking about, a quick drawing in photoshop. In the picture the ramp isn't there but you can see where it would go to connect the 2 tanks.

RES_Setup.gif (3.42 KiB) Viewed 1730 times

I know it may be a dumb idea but though I would ask before trying it.

thanks,
scarr105

[psumichael]

Let me start off by saying I currently don't have a RES. I'm doing my research first to make sure I can provide it with everything it's going to need. I've read about the for every inch of turtle recommends 10 gallons of water, so 75 - 120G tank would be required as a full adult.

I currently have 2 55G tanks, I was wondering it placing then beside each other and connecting then via a ramp would provide the turtle the requried room as it became a full adult. I've attached a picture of the setup I'm asking about, a quick drawing in photoshop. In the picture the ramp isn't there but you can see where it would go to connect the 2 tanks.

RES_Setup.gif

I know it may be a dumb idea but though I would ask before trying it.

thanks,
scarr105

It's not ideal but it certainly could work. Could have some advantages. You could put the turtle in one when cleaning the other. If you're going to have some water in both tanks then you might need multiple filters or a custom filtration setup. Will probably make life more interesting for the turtle, having two different homes. You could set up a siphon to keep the water level in both tanks equal or fill one completely with water and the other half-water, half-land.

Another option: sell the two 55 gallons and buy a 75+ gallon tank.

[steve]

Check out this topic: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10180

But I like psumichael's last option better.

[VeipaCray]

As for the filters, If you get a canister, you can run both of the hoses to a PVC fitting. Put a T in each of the PVC fittings then pV or hose into the tanks. You'll need to buy a second intake strainer but you COULD run both tanks off a single large canister. You'd end up with an intake and a return in each of the tanks and a single canister.

I agree... put the turtle in one of the 55's now. Sell the second 55 and start saving for a single large tank or pond later.

[psumichael]

As for the filters, If you get a canister, you can run both of the hoses to a PVC fitting. Put a T in each of the PVC fittings then pV or hose into the tanks. You'll need to buy a second intake strainer but you COULD run both tanks off a single large canister. You'd end up with an intake and a return in each of the tanks and a single canister.

I agree... put the turtle in one of the 55's now. Sell the second 55 and start saving for a single large tank or pond later.

I think there's a risk with this type of setup that one tank could continuously be getting more return water than the other. It might be a gradual thing that can be corrected before it causes a problem but if by some chance one of the hoses gets clogged or partially clogged then there could be a flood.

[VeipaCray]

As for the filters, If you get a canister, you can run both of the hoses to a PVC fitting. Put a T in each of the PVC fittings then pV or hose into the tanks. You'll need to buy a second intake strainer but you COULD run both tanks off a single large canister. You'd end up with an intake and a return in each of the tanks and a single canister.

I agree... put the turtle in one of the 55's now. Sell the second 55 and start saving for a single large tank or pond later.

I think there's a risk with this type of setup that one tank could continuously be getting more return water than the other. It might be a gradual thing that can be corrected before it causes a problem but if by some chance one of the hoses gets clogged or partially clogged then there could be a flood.

Many many small petshops have been doing this for years. Not much to worry about.