Habitat - Indoor :: A donated tank, a big change

[malekogirl]

Well, here it is. I got a 55 gallon tank from someone, free - which is the best way. Right now my 2 little RES, barely 3-1/2inches, are in a teeny 10 gallon tank, with whisper filter & a heater. I really want to switch them over, but i want to make sure i set up everything right.

WHat is the best set-up for the 55-gallon tank? What kind of filter? I have been told to get a canister filter that sits outside the tank. Hhmmm... and as for heating??? And a basking area?? I cannot afford to make any "mistakes", as in buying 1 thing then realizing i needed to buy something else.

Help here!! No one i know personally likes reptiles at all. So i'm all alone here. Any help would be appreciated!

Much aloha,
MalekoGirl

[SpotsMama]

You're pretty lucky to get a 55 gallon tank for free! That's quite a deal!

Here's a link on getting started with a setup:

http://www.redearslider.com/startup.html

When you think about purchasing specific pieces of equipment, you can run them by the people on the forum and you'll get opinions as to whether it's good quality equipment and suitable for your needs.

I need to tell you that your turtles are just going to keep growing. Male RES grow to be 7" to 9" long and females from 9" to 12". Pretty quickly they're going to outgrow the 55 gallon tank. That's not really bad though since it was free! Just keep in the back of your mind that you'll need to get a bigger tank in the future and purchase the other equipment (filter, heaters, lights) sized so it can be switched to a bigger tank when the time comes.

[malekogirl]

I totally agree. Thanks so much for your advice. Sometimes, when i go to certain pet stores, i feel like the employees are just telling me what to buy so i wil just spend money.
I love these turtles and I am so happy that i am going to be able to make a bigger space for them to swim around.
i was looking at the gallery for various habitat creations, and there is a couple of them i am looking into trying.

where do you have your turtles, in an indoor habitat or outdoor? do you have any pics?? i am the type that likes to learn from example....

[steve]

During the summer, her Spot gets a nice pond all to himself

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10085

[malekogirl]

awesome!

we have a big yard here. i am hoping to one day create something for these little guys. there are too many cats & mongoose & such right now and they are so tiny.

i'll just start with my 55-gallon tank.

*nice pics!

[RunninWideOpen]

Good luck with your new tank!

If you're crafty you can make your own above tank basking area. I've made quite a few. They just sit on top the tank with high enough walls so they can't escape, then it has a ramp to go down into the water. It will be cheaper and then you can fill the tank up almost to the top to give your turts some more swimming room.

[SpotsMama]

And here's Spot's winter home:



The tank holds 100 gallons. The light over the basking platform is a T Rex 100 watt mercury vapor flood light. There are heaters at both ends. The filter is an XP3.

By the way, Spot's shell has white blotches on it in this picture, but that was because he had a shell infection. It's cleared up now.

[malekogirl]

yep, i was looking at the pics for the habitat gallery. i really like the setup with the ramp going up to like a wooden crate where the res can relax and catch some rays without being frightened back in the water so easily.

i love your setup too, spotsmama. doesnt Spot tear up thos aquarium decorations though?? and how is that plastic ramp, any good? i saw that at the pet store and was wondering about that one or the floating one.

and where can i get "vegetable clip"?? i was reading another forum, and they spoke of that so that they could attach some lettuce or whatever.... anyone know??

[SpotsMama]

Spot moves the decorations around ("redecorating") but he doesn't tear them up - they're too sturdy. I tried living plants in there at one time and they weren't as sturdy and yes, Spot tore them up.

The plastic ramp is great. I've had both kinds - the floating kind and this kind. Spot liked the floating ones too. I switched because he outgrew even the big floating one (turtle dock). I had started with the little one, then to the medium one and finally the largest. I guess I like the looks of the plastic one.

You can get veggie clips at Petco in the fish section, I know. I haven't seen them at our local Petsmart. Or you can get them on-line. Here's one:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &N=0&Nty=1

I use one to hold lettuce or other veggies and one to hold a chunk of cuttlebone.

[spot_skater]

Here's what I put in my 55 gal long when I got it a few weeks ago... everything has slowly been building up to what it is now:

Eheim Classic 2213 Filter, an external canister ($70)
Zoo Med Medium dock ($15)
Mid-height platform. (I forget who made it...$15 @ Petco)
UVA Bulb and socket thingy, Zoo Med light and some generic sockety thing (2 bulbs and socket - $20)
Stealth 25w heater from my last tank ($20? I don't remember... had it over a year)
Lots of plants! (suction types are exo-terra, I don't remember the standing types) ($5 each..~8 plants$40)

[malekogirl]

looks great.
so what did you use for a basking area? i can't seem to spot it in your pic.

[SpotsMama]

Malekogirl, if you're interested in an above tank basking area (and they are nice), here's a neat design:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... ight=above

(Starchick, this is your design again! I like it so much I think anyone who's considering one should see it! Hope you don't mind.)

[malekogirl]

i loved that setup!! it's great and it gives the turtle so much space to move!!!

Starchick, how long did it take to build that basking area???

[spot_skater]

looks great.
so what did you use for a basking area? i can't seem to spot it in your pic.

I used a zoo-med floating dock. It's tough to see, but it's in the top right in the picture.

I like starchick's idea a lot, too. TONS of room to play in on top of the aquarium!

[urbancleopatra]

spotsmama I LOVE your indoor tank!!!! It looks soo good that it reminds me of an underwater scene. BEAUTIFUL!