Habitat - Indoor :: empty Aquarium

[Lisa4christ]

We just moved from a 55 gallon to a 125 gallon tank for our turtles. My husband is tired of looking at an undecorated aquarium and has given me the go ahead to buy some decorations for the turtles. I would like to get some sort of cave for them, but have not had any luck finding something safe and big enough. They are about 5 inches in length, but both females so...... I would like something long term:) I currently have no substrate and like the low maintenance:) Considering getting some large rocks to put on the bottom. I have tried to put real plants in, but as you know, Turtles are curious and the plants have been eaten and poked at. Would artificial plants be ok? Any ideas or pictures of aquariums set ups would be helpful!!! Thank you.

[Kansasslider]

Mopini wood is nice in tanks. You can also use fake plants. Any cave should have both ends open so your turtle doesn't get stuck and drown.

[cslenker]

I am new to the site but this is my setup
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lf2h0nna6xe3m ... 2.jpg?dl=0

I use pool filter sand with some larger river rocks on the bottom. I also use the fake plants because they eat all the real ones I have put in the tank.

[Lisa4christ]

Thank you Kansasslider. Michael already put a piece of mopani wood in the cart on amazon:) He also put a rock den in (open on both sides:) but it is not big enough. Zoomed makes a giant log put the reviews are horrible and it does not seem to hold up in water and is dangerous to turtles (reviews on amazon). Ill keep searching. Hopefully I will find something that will work for the girls:)

[Lisa4christ]

Looks good cslenker. Thank you for sharing:)

[Kansasslider]

Pool filter sand is good. I have white sand in my tank and like the look I built a cave and posted pictures of it on here I just can't find it right now. Some of the junk they sell for turtles is laughable!

[Kansasslider]

Here is how I built a stone cave.~~~
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36459

[Lisa4christ]

I love it. I bought some of the water weld and some stones today:) Michael is working on a new basking area. The stone cave will be the next project. Thank you!!

[ataraxiamb]

How does one vacuum out the water of the tank without also vacuuming out the sand?

[Kansasslider]

Some of the sand your going to lose.

[steve]

What about cheesecloth over the hose?

[Kansasslider]

I have been thinking about how to restrict sand loss for a long time. The problem is it you did use something like cheese cloth it would more than likely become clogged. I might try it next cleaning.

[steve]

What kind of vacuuming though? Powerhead, shop vac? I'd just add extra sand next time