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

[BullDog]

*jaw drops*
That is truely amazing! You should go into the buisness of building turtle habitats!

I would like to know in the long run though what those ramps are going to be like for cleaning :S Looks like lots of nooks and crannies for scum to build up...

[grey goose]

I hope they always do, because I don't relish the idea of cleaning 2 tanks. Of course, you already do that, so tell me it isn't so bad to clean 2 tanks all the time!

It's not so bad, the kids filters get cleaned at the end of the month, Bozo's gets cleaned in the middle. Both tanks get water changes every two weeks.

[grey goose]

I would like to know in the long run though what those ramps are going to be like for cleaning :S Looks like lots of nooks and crannies for scum to build up...

So far so good. In the long run I suspect they'll be the "green stuff" building up along the edges, but I don't think it'll be anything an old toothbrush won't handle. Also, now that I can remove them, cleaning will be easier.

[steve]

I'm really enjoying all those pics Goose. What is the thickness of the acrylic?

[pumpkinsherbet]

wow that is so lovely, and very efficient with the containers! that is cool... that is a beautiful home.

[grey goose]

I'm really enjoying all those pics Goose. What is the thickness of the acrylic?

It's actually .220 thick, which puts it just under 1/4".

[cusm]

I noticed the holes and in the last picture what appears to be a screw, I assume through said hole. What is this for?


Thanks again for all the pics and answers.

[grey goose]

The piece with the hole is just a leftover from my cut of the ramp, just used to demonstrate how I glued the rocks. I think that "screw" is just some stray light, no metal below the waterline.

[4Lancer4]

That is one awsome tank! How much did everything run you, minus the filters and heaters? I'll stick to my Rubbermaid Container thank you very much (I know i can't make something as gorgeous as that, Im so jealous) Awsome job on the pictures You have some lucky turtles there.

[grey goose]

Tank: $199
Stand: $60.00
2 Sheets acrylic: about $60.00
Air pump & tubing & stones: about $35.00
Electrical: (wiring, fixtures, bulbs, timers) $80.-$90.00
Lumber: about $40.00
PVC pipe: about $10.00
2 Hanging plants: about $15.00
2 Bags of rocks: $8.00
Hardware and adhesive: $15.00-$20.00

[steve]

Where do you pick up your acrylic? I can only find 1/8 and 3/8 around here... I need to get some for practice

[grey goose]

I got it at Home Depot. Lowes doesn't carry it. I think most glass shops have it. They could probably custom cut it to your specs, but I don't know what it would cost.......

[steve]

The HD near me isn't that great. However, there are few plastics specialists in NYC...

How big were your sheets? $60 sounds a lot.

[grey goose]

A single sheet (I believe it's 30"x24") is 30.00 plus tax.....60 bucks for two. I did need two for the 90 gal. with some leftover for the 55, but I still needed another small sheet. They make them smaller (12"x24") for 20 bucks. They had them in larger sheets (48"x36") but I cant recall what the cost was.
Whatever size you get, the minimum thickness I would recommend would be .220, especially if you have a large tank. The basking area on my 90 sags slightly in the middle. If I had gone any thinner, I'm not sure it would hold up.

[steve]

I'm not planning on using it for a basking area but for a small custom aquarium. Did you cut/trim the acrylic yourself? The small hardware store near me can cut the 1/8 pieces but I don't think they can cut the thicker ones.