Habitat - Indoor :: upgrading to a 55g tank...need some ideas!

[cotis]

-copied this post from another forum, but haven't gotten a lot of help there so I decided to finally join up here!-


just joined up here after lurking around for awhile.

anyways, I have some RES that I'm looking upgrading to a 55G tank soon. I am looking for some suggestions on the following questions..

1.)Looking to make an above-tank basking area for the guys...any suggestions? Saw one idea that jumped out at me (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/10622522 ... 7120dMWIpD) although I think a bigger tank is needed?
2.)I've seen various debates over sand/rocks/pebbles/none in the bottom. I'm leaning towards nothing or bigger pebbles so they can't swallow them.
3.)Looking for a filter, aerator and heater. Any great ones that can be suggested? I'm leaning towards RENA Filstar XP 4 Canister Filter that I saw online, and a Tetra Whisper Air Pump with a Jager 100W heater.

Another question, I've seen some people with crayfish and fish in their tanks. There's no way I want it to get over crowded, but I was thinking about it. Could I use them for cleanup when I put feeder fish in for the RES? Only thing that bothers me is that I'm thinking the crayfish would nip at the RES?

Thinking about using a plastic tub from Wal-Mart that I'll just have above the tank with a little ramp into it from the water..although another idea I have is to find one of those plastic things to fit inside the tank and hang in there?

Just looking for some advice, thanks!

[Nettle]

Here's a thread that shows basking area pics:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15260

Substrate: Pebbles smaller than their head are a no,they can be swallowed like you said. Sand is ok to use, but needs a thorough rinsing before hand. Bare is... bare, but by far the easiest to clean.

I think the Rena and Fluval lines of filters are the most used on this forum.

An aerator can be any cheap little thing. There has been success with the Tetra whisper pump and it's only around $10.

A Stealth heater seems to be the most reliable as it's not glass. Usually around $20.

Crayfish are on the list as not recommended. And it should also be noted that anything and everything you put in you tank is food for turtles. Some owners have had success with a pleco living in harmony with an RES, but more often than not they become food.
http://www.redearslider.com/prey.html

[octpusgirl8]

Hi and welcome How big are the turtles, and are you planning for this to be the "forever" tank for them? It's good to allow for one gallon of water for every inch of turtle shell. There can also be aggression issues with multiple RES, so the possibility of separating them in the future should be kept in mind. As for filters, i just love my Filstar. I have an XP3, and i've been really happy with it. It's easier to maintain than the Fluval i had before it, and seems a lot sturdier. I also have a few of the Tetra Whisper pumps, and love them too. They're very quiet, and are fairly cheap. I'm not sure a 100w heater would be enough for a 55 gal, they say to estimate 3-5 watts per gallon. Like Nettle said, the Visitherm Stealth heaters are particularly popular among turtle keepers since they're not as fragile as glass, and therefore able to stand up to even the most mischevious of turtles.

[cotis]

The turtles are about 3" or 4".

I'm thinking about keeping them in this for a good amount of time, a few years atleast as long as they don't outgrow it too quickly!

I've had them together for almost a year now and haven't seen them have any aggression issues. Granted, I don't see them every second of every day, but I've never seen any problems with them and they seem to get along fine.

I've decided to go with a Stealth Heater, and am probably gonig with the XP3. I see there is an XP4, although I don't think there is much difference? Also, going to get the Tetra Whisper 100 Air Pump. I think that would be enough for the tank?


Also, I'm thinking about epoxying thick Plexiglas in, like it is shown in the picture in my first post. It'll be a lengthy process but once summer hits, I'll have some time on my hands.

[mikee]

cotis -- When you select a filter make sure it will pump at least 5 times the water volume that you have in the tank. The more the merrier. m.

[imderanged]

I had the Whisper 100 air pump in a 75 gallon tank and it made ALOT of bubbles. Water was spraying almost out of the tank!!! I returned it and got a Whisper 60. The 60 still has 2 outputs like the 100, but it's alittle gentler. It still puts enough air into the water to make enough bubble to push my 2.25 inch turtle to the top when he swims into it.

[cotis]

I had the Whisper 100 air pump in a 75 gallon tank and it made ALOT of bubbles. Water was spraying almost out of the tank!!! I returned it and got a Whisper 60. The 60 still has 2 outputs like the 100, but it's alittle gentler. It still puts enough air into the water to make enough bubble to push my 2.25 inch turtle to the top when he swims into it.

thanks for your opinion! I'll definitely get a smaller one

[meltedspork]

The turtles are about 3" or 4".

I'm thinking about keeping them in this for a good amount of time, a few years atleast as long as they don't outgrow it too quickly!

No offense, but a 55g is already too small for your turtles. I don't know how many you have, but even if you just have 2 turtles a 55g is bare minimum for 2 turtles that are 3". (3" x 10g water = MINIMUM of 30g for one turtle, minimum of 60g for two turtles). At 4" you would need at least 80g.

As long as you are upgrading now, you should go for a 90 or preferably 120g tank. That way, you have enough for both turtles for now, and if you need to separate them later then you have at least 1 permanent tank that should last them when they are full grown.

Believe me, I know it's expensive, but it's pointless for you to get a 55g for your turtles. I have a 55g for one turtle who is about 4"-5" and I need to upgarde him to a 120g within the next year.