Habitat - Indoor :: Habitat Creation

[IvyDoo]

My boyfriend and I just moved into a place where I can have a substantially larger turtle (red eared slider) habitat (indoor).

I am therefore going to move my turtle into a larger tank that I have in storage. I have several questions though, as I have been having alot of trouble getting him to adjust to his new water in his current tank, I am concerned that the water in our new place isn't good enough for him, and now I need to know what steps to take when I start building his new habitat.

I am going to be switching him from a 20 gallon tank, which is much too small, to either a 90 gallon tank, or at the smallest until I can make better arrangements a 45 gallon tank, which is more than large enough for him, my thinking with the 90 gallon tank is that I wont have to change it again for the rest of his life.

My questions are these:

1. How long should I let the new tank run with its filter before putting my turtle into it?
2. Once my turtle is in the much larger habitat, how closely should I watch him?
3. Now that I will have a tank which can support plant life without hogging too much of my turtles space, which plants should I put in there for him?
4. Is cedar wood allright to have my boyfriend build a floating dock/basking area for him?

5. Can anyone give me any extra tips for making my turtles new home the one he likes the most?

My turtle is 4" and I am beginning to believe that "he" is a "she" despite a long lasting belief that it was originally a "he" lol. I am concerned that "he" is also too small for his age, as he is 4, however he is in good health with a very nice looking shell.

Thanks for any help you can offer

[Love of Animals]

I would run your filter for a day with the heater in it, so it gets to the desirable temperature and carbon in the filter to remove chloramines. As for the basking area I wouldn't use wood. I use egg crate (light diffuser) that you can find in the hardware store. Aquatic plants don't usually last long in a slider tank, but you can offer anacharis, hornwort and frog bit among many others. What type of filtration will you be using? Good Luck

[IvyDoo]

I will probably use a canister filter, thats what the petstores suggest. I want a floating dock, as my turtle tank has to have a screen lid, so my insane cat doesn't try to turn my turtle into a turtle mcnugget lol. what can I use that floats?

[Kurtni]

I wouldn't use cedar wood, but if you could find some cork bark it would give the same natural look. It floats,but you can also wedge it against the sides.

[IvyDoo]

I am not sure what cork bark is *blush* where can I buy something like that?

[BRuTAL_HiTMAN_]

the fun answer to your question is any place that sells wine. collect the bottle corks and build a raft rofl!


btw don't really do that, the wine would probably seep out and stain your water and do who knows what else lol

[Kurtni]

I am not sure what cork bark is *blush* where can I buy something like that?

It looks like this and comes flat and in rounds. You can buy it at pet stores and some gardening stores. A lot of places sell it online too.

[Love of Animals]

When you get your canister filter make sure it's rated for double the amount of water you'll have in the tank. The ratings on filters are for fish and turtles are messier. Your turtle is going to love all the extra room.

[IvyDoo]

Oh yeah, my turtle is going to be incredibly happy, and my boyfriend and I decided to go with the 90 gallon tank, and see if we can introduce another turtle as a friend (we know sometimes this doesnt work, but we are prepared to figure everything else as we go).

Would another RES be a good choice in another turtle? I've been researching and alot of sites say a Mississippi Map turtle would be a good companion with an older female RES. I will post pictures of my turtle and his new habitat when my messages and stuff no longer need to be validated lol.

[steve]

If you have a male RES, don't bother trying to add another RES.