Habitat - Indoor :: Moving Day

[Muirner]

Well today is the big day, The XP3 is up and running, the only thing i need are seachem matrix rocks... I'll add them shortly, and maybe a small pack of stars as well. But i took some pictures of Mary Kate and Ashley because i think secretly they knew today was their day!

Here is a picture of them hanging out on the rock together in their old tank one last time
http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000798od8.jpg

One of them (i cant figure out which is which yet, but one has an eating problem so that will be (which one of the twins didnt eat?)) But she is in the background being camera shy. The other is posing perfectly
http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000799ol7.jpg

The new tank setup. You can see them both, one is under the platform, and one is poking her head out of the water by the amazon sward. And yes that is an oversized bose mug in the corner, what can i say for the turtles, the best it is haha. As you can see i have 3 plants. 1 is a live plant a friend gave me (far right), in the middle is a large amazon sward, and on the far left there is an anachris. I have watched one of them nibble at the sward plant, and that's a definate plus.
http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000800jv7.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000801so0.jpg Head out of the amazon sward again, one quick pic before she took off, and hung out on the spray bar of the filter.

http://img112.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000802pc2.jpg on the spray bar again, seems to be either there, or behind the intake hose.

So it seems that they enjoy the new tank, and i have to leave for work, so they will be able to explore in peace. the only thing i can think of needing are the bio media, and some more rocks. Maybe a bridge to put underwater for them to stand on, i saw it's only 16$ not bad. Maybe a few more plants, but i want to put plants they will eat in there, make it benificial... let me know what you think... All ideas are welcome.

i dont know what i'm doing wrong with my image links... any advice? And sinse i'm leaving if a mod stubles upon this and knows, just throw in the fix if you dont mind. THANKS!!! (sorry for my ignorance, i used alt+p even

[grey goose]

Very nice tank. I'm a little leary of that window. Direct sun and cold drafts are not good....

[Spookster]

Looks great. If you want some more decoration you could look into aquarium backing to cover the back of the tank. That would also help to keep light from that window from shining into the tank. Direct sunlight aids algea growth. Some more plants would probably work out and add some decoration and places for them to hide. They like to have places they can hide when they get frightened. I used a plastic crate with the end cut out and hold it underwater with a heavy landscaping stone. Our RES likes her turtle cave. She also likes to sit on top of it so she can sit just underneath the surface of the water. That way she can sleep and be close enough to breathe when she wants to. She also likes to decorate the inside of her cave. She alway puts the same plastic plant in there with some of her river rocks. Everytime I clean the tank out I take them out and within a few hours she puts the same plant back in along with some rocks.

[ellman605]

Just FYI, as long as you keep the blinds closed on the window and stop light from getting in you should be fine. Algae will grow a bit faster but not much as long as you keep it closed. I keep mine near the window.

[Muirner]

Grey - at first i was leary of the window too, but as my house is newer, i have checked it for drafts and there arnt any. What i could do is seal it though with that plastic stuff and i'd be 100% sure. I can take the blinds and roll the the other way and they block light even better.

I'm thinking of getting a protein skimmer to help deprive the algae of nutrience even more. I'm just trying to figure out how to move water better througout the tank.

Spook - I'm pretty sure i've seen your thread with your pictures, but i'm not 100% sure. I'll check your link out later today. How many gal of water do you have out of curiosity? and how did you wash the crate? Warm water and white venigar?

Also you think plastic plants are a good idea? I mean i can get more live, and that's preferable, they help prevent algae, but i have a feeling at the current rate, i'll be cleaning the algae once a week until i get a skimmer or something to deal with the algae... But none the less if it's going to help them hide and hang out, i'm willing to do it. any plant will do i assume?

Ok, note to self, i will be going to a State Park to get rocks today, as well as looking into a background for them. I was gonna get one for my 10 gal tank, but i figured this will be a better idea. Any ideas on designs? Defentally something freshwater i'm thinking. But the tank is 21" high and they make 18" and 24" paper i believe are the sizes. i'm gonna get the 18" i think.

[missibsu]

[quote="Muirner"]
Ok, note to self, i will be going to a State Park to get rocks today...quote]

Just an FYI, collecting rocks or other materials at State Parks in Ohio is illegal. Not sure what your state has to say about it, but I'd imagine you have a similar law. Something to think about before you go.

[grey goose]

Ohio cop: "Ok, step away from the rocks and put your hands up!"

[Muirner]

Where can i find about this? Did you just google it. Check your pm's and i'll send you my state...

Well i'll go elsewhere to find the rocks then... lets just not say where i got the others then... i uhh found them. ya. Let me ask, my neighbor has some landscaping rocks, could i wash a few of those for contrasting rock colors?

[lotsofpets]

I believe practically every state has laws against collecting rocks in State and National parks. Also, using rock hammers is illegal in most of the parks. Some other parks require a permit before you collect rocks. I am a Geology and Biology major at EKU, so I face this problem quite frequently. Most of the time, I collect nice/interesting rocks while I am on field trips for my classes. When I get them home I scrub them really well with an old toothbrush an then boil them for awhile so they are aquarium safe. Most states will allow you to collect rocks along roadway outcrops. (but not interstates and on private property)