Habitat - Indoor :: New habitat is coming together!!!

[PcBuilder14]

That looks so awesome!!!!! I like the mirror on the left! Has he finally gotten used to it some?

[TheBean]

A little. He's starting to warm up to things but is still very skittish. Taking him outside helps and he's beginning to associate me with food again. Just takes time I suppose.

And thank you for the compliment!

[steve]

Fantastic looking job. I would love to add a light to my stock tank... maybe where the drain plug is

[TheBean]

Thanks, steve!

It wasn't too hard to do. The drain plug might be a little small for effective light in the tank. I used a hole saw and drilled a 2" hole on each side for the lights. The plexglass is the "extra strong storm window grade" plexi. It's thin but it's holding up under the pressure of the water fine. Just use a LOT of marine apoxy. Not sure if aquarium silicone would work (never used it) but I don't see why not.

[steve]

I don't think I'd try aquarium silicone on plastic/acrylic. Fortunately this is last on a very long to-do list

[A&N_Potter]

Hi, Nice job! I am planning on doing something similar, but I will be using a 300 gallon stock tank. What size filter are you using and what would you recommend for a 300 gallon stock tank? Also, our tank will be located in my newly insulated garage, but I will need a heater for the tank. Does you current setup have a heater? Currently, I have a 75 gallon aquarium, with an XP3 filter. I know this filter will not be suitable for a larger stock tank. I am also looking at pond filters/pumps. Any advice would be great! Thanks.

[Boogerbutt02]

great job!!!!

[VelvetAlley]

I really enjoyed looking at your self built tank cabnet!

Is there any concern with those bulbs so close to wood and plastic?

[TheBean]

Hi, Nice job! I am planning on doing something similar, but I will be using a 300 gallon stock tank. What size filter are you using and what would you recommend for a 300 gallon stock tank? Also, our tank will be located in my newly insulated garage, but I will need a heater for the tank. Does you current setup have a heater? Currently, I have a 75 gallon aquarium, with an XP3 filter. I know this filter will not be suitable for a larger stock tank. I am also looking at pond filters/pumps. Any advice would be great! Thanks.

Thanks! I would say a pond filter would be your best bet for the money. Either that or a couple of XP5's. The tank I have now is the largest I've had experience with so I'm sure I'm not much help.

great job!!!!

Thank you!

I really enjoyed looking at your self built tank cabnet!

Is there any concern with those bulbs so close to wood and plastic?

Thanks! Naw, I'm not concerned about it. The bulbs are 60 watt so they don't get overly hot and they're not on very much. Just when I want to light up the inside of the tank and it's usually not for very long.

[ScrewZoo]

amazing work, i love it and i know they do.. i wish i were handy id build a little dock for my turtles.

[untsmurf]

I really enjoyed looking at your self built tank cabnet!

Is there any concern with those bulbs so close to wood and plastic?

Thanks! Naw, I'm not concerned about it. The bulbs are 60 watt so they don't get overly hot and they're not on very much. Just when I want to light up the inside of the tank and it's usually not for very long.

If it does become a problem, you can get some heat tape from Home Depot or Lowes and tape it on there. We had to use for our snake's enclosure.

Basically, it looks like sticky aluminum foil. It can resist temps up to something like 500*

[VelvetAlley]

Or instead of using incandecent bulbs you can use the compact fluorescent bulbs they heat up even less.

[Myke]

Very cool. I had something similar for koi years back. I kept the pond, but got rid of the cabinet. I am planning an outdoor enclosure and going to rebuild the smaller pond for winter in the house. Will moving turtles back and forth twice a year cause them to freak out every time? Would I be better off putting him outside during the day and inside at night so they stay comfortable with both homes? Also, roughly how much did your set up cost?
Myke

[emma]

That is really awesome!
Your turtles are really going to love it!
I wish i could do something like that but my parents would never let me do that.

[TheBean]

amazing work, i love it and i know they do.. i wish i were handy id build a little dock for my turtles.

Thank you!

If it does become a problem, you can get some heat tape from Home Depot or Lowes and tape it on there. We had to use for our snake's enclosure.

Basically, it looks like sticky aluminum foil. It can resist temps up to something like 500*

Not sure how well the tape would hold up under water for the plexi. As far as heat goes, I just had the bulbs on for about 2 hours tonight and nothing inside the cabinet is too hot.

Or instead of using incandecent bulbs you can use the compact fluorescent bulbs they heat up even less.

This is true.

Very cool. I had something similar for koi years back. I kept the pond, but got rid of the cabinet. I am planning an outdoor enclosure and going to rebuild the smaller pond for winter in the house. Will moving turtles back and forth twice a year cause them to freak out every time? Would I be better off putting him outside during the day and inside at night so they stay comfortable with both homes? Also, roughly how much did your set up cost?
Myke

I don't know if moving them twice a year would cause them to freak out. I guess it depends on the turtle and how stressful the move is. For Bean, he's gone from a 10 gallon, to the stock tank outside, to a 29 gallon, to the bathtub for a couple days, and back to the stock tank in the cabinet where he is now, all within about 6 months. Poor guy. No wonder he's stressed. Well, this is his final home and he will grow nice a big and get nice and old in this tank.

That is really awesome!
Your turtles are really going to love it!
I wish i could do something like that but my parents would never let me do that.

Thanks! It's just one turt. We were thinking about adding another one but after reading about aggression here on the forums, we figured it'd be the best idea to leave him be. He's been alone all his life so he's pretty used to it.