Photo Gallery :: Tank setup completed. (The turtles have landed)

[FanOfTurts]

I do have aquarium gravel in my tank and they are going to be removed tonight. They can easily be swallowed by my guys.

[FanOfTurts]

Oh, I see!! I got your point, Muirner!! = )

[grey goose]

I bought a bag of those polished/tumbled stones at a pet store. It was 3 bucks and change. I also put a few glass type rocks in with them but I didn't like the way they looked so I took them out....also a few medium sized river rocks.

[Breigh]

Wow that's fantastic! I love the idea with clipping the food on the side, I'll have to see if we can get something like that here in the Netherlands.

[asemilla]

disregard(sp) the comment on another post i found your finished tank...wow great work....my hubby showed it to me

[dudio]

I'm a little late to this thread.
Just wanted to put my name on the list of people
that think the tank turned out great !

Nice work goose.
.. Really sharp stuff

[grey goose]

Thanks! The kids seem to agree. Outside of the little plants getting pulled out of that small clay pot, all is well, no turtle vandalism (yet ).

[Dandelette.]

I love your turtle home!!! I'm so inspired by it ^^ Good job~!!!

[tdoan]

i was just wonder how many gallons is that for 3 turtles? and nice setup the turtles are probably enjoying their habitat

[grey goose]

I love your turtle home!!! I'm so inspired by it ^^ Good job~!!!

Thanks!

[grey goose]

i was just wonder how many gallons is that for 3 turtles? and nice setup the turtles are probably enjoying their habitat

Well, it's a 90 gallon.....I figure things will start to get a little less roomy in about a year. I'm putting together another setup using an old 55 Gal. tank just in case I have to separate one from the others......I also have a 35 gal. that I use as an isolation tank in case one gets sick. I never planned on raising three turts, they were dropped on me as a (ahem) "gift" by someone who, though I love her dearly, has no clue what it takes to raise ONE turt, let alone three. She said, "Oh, they didn't cost much, only 15 bucks for all three!" If I was to add up all the money I have spent over the last 10 months, I would probably faint.....
If you are thinking about getting multiple turts you better plan ahead.....I don't have the room, nor the finances, to go much bigger than I already am, maybe 150 gal max. But what if they stop playing and start fighting? What if one gets hurt before I notice? This could very quickly turn into a logistical (and financial) nightmare.
I do have a plan "B", however. When I first got them, I told my nephew that if things didn't work out between them, I'd set him up with a habitat and give him one. He has been pestering me ever since. It will break my heart to give one away, as I've become very attached to all three, but I could practically walk to his house, so it wouldn't be like I'd never see him again.
Sorry for the rambling reply, just wanted to point out that having three turts in one tank is no stroll in the park.......

[scripta_elegans]

I can relate! I am trying to choose a new tank for the kids right now, and I am having a serious debate. I think that seperation is a matter of time, but I still have the hope that they will keep getting along. So i am between 135 gallons for them to share until they hit 7 inches, or a 90 so that I can fit both upstairs if I need to seperate them. I have a 75 right now, so it won't be big enough for a boy or a girl full grown, but that's a ways away for now.

[grey goose]

I think that if they are together when they are babies, there is a better chance of them getting along later on (I hope ). I've been watching my guys closely the past week or so and I'm noticing slight (it may just be me) behavior changes in all three. Big Daddy won't leave Beaker alone but at the same time Beaker seems to enjoy the attention.....Gomez has, for the most part, started keeping to himself on the resting ramp, not basking as much. But then he'll suddenly have this burst of energy and start furiously fluttering both Beaker and B.D., then retire to either the resting or basking area as if to say, "Yea, I showed them who's boss, pfffft."
Now I may be reading too much into this, they may just be playing. But at the same time I have to wonder if they keep going on like this, will one of them get annoyed enough to act out and bite? Or are they just trying to figure out the "pecking order" in the tank? Or perhaps they are still just developing their social skills?
At any rate, I have to hope for the best, plan for the worst.........

[scripta_elegans]

I know. Me too. I have seen very rare fluttering, but it's really funny. Sparky chases Spike and tries to flutter at him, but Spike just ignores him and swims off, occasionally baffing him in the face on his way. Sparky chases spike more, but at feeding time, Spike is like "get out of my way, or I shall have to hurt you." He is brutal if they aren't seperate. Not biting usually, but the claws! Good night! He looks like he's boxing sometimes. They chase and sleep near each other, and they seem to be okay most of the time, but i always have this lurking fear that they might just get mad and hurt each other.

[grey goose]

I guess we are kindred spirits, as our turts are about the same age. Those who are thinking it would be a great idea to get their turt a "compainion" may think better of of it once all this is sorted out.....or not.