Habitat - Indoor :: Investing In A New Indoor Habitat - LONG Post

[Mnuemonix]

Excellent!!!

Are they sold pretty standard at most pet stores, or would I have to order it online or something like that?

[missibsu]

This is what I have http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... 30048&Ne=2 It's available at most of the chain petstores. Petsmart price matches, so print this out if you go there...the instore price is usually higher.

[Mnuemonix]

Sweet! Thanks for all of the great advice and tips everybody!

Wish me luck, I'm hittin' the stores tomorrow to see what I can do for my Buddy!

[Mnuemonix]

Okay everybody I did it....I upgraded....I didn't get EVERYthing that I wanted to get, but I did the major stuff.

I got Puddles ("Buddy") a NEW HOME!!!!! You could SERIOUSLY fit the entire old tank into the new one...He's been going nuts with all of his new space since I got it installed!!!...I also got him a basking light, along with a 2 pack of bulbs for when the first one runs out.

Went to a total of 6 stores on Saturday, and at the very last store when I was ready to give up I found the PERFECT tank sitting right at the door.

At first the price quoted to me was $89.95 for a 55 gallon...I thought HOLY COW that's an awesome price...So I went and recruited some help for carrying it out of the store...The actual price ended up being $120, but since I was misquoted earlier, they gave it to me for $99!

The next time I get paid (two weeks) I'm going out and getting one of those basking areas you guys showed me, and I'm going to gradually increase the water level so that he can swim..Right now the level is at the same it was before because I had to keep his old log...I'm also going to get some substrate or whatever it's called to line the bottom...But big enough so that he can't eat it.

And of course, I've got pictures!!!!

"Buddy" in his old tank having NO idea what's about to happen:


The NEW tank:


The "Clip Lamp" sitting on my computer desk:


My hose suctioning out the water from the old tank - and the 5 left over fish that have yet to be eaten:


Turtle just minding his own business crawling around thinkin' it's just another routine cleaning:


The OLD tank sitting next to the NEW tank...I feel like such a horrible owner :


Prepping to fill the new tank - Basking light already installed over the log:


Filling the New Tank:


Withing MINUTES he's enjoying his new home...Here fishy fishy fishy!!!


He just doesnt know what to do with himself now! (remember - higher water to lvl to come with new baskign area...Ran out of cash) :


Airial view:



I'm so excited he has a fitting home now!!!!

Thank you so very much you guys on helping me with this project!!!

[missibsu]

Looks good! I can't wait to see the pics when you get everything else. And by the way, I remember a post where you mentioned being embaressed by the name Puddles...I love it!

[steve]

Starting to look very good! Couple of things... that looks like a turtle specific tank (they are marketed towards turtles and usually have the side cut out). If it is, it does have 2 flaws... that side panel has broken on a lot of people and you are limited in the water level. Also, I don't think that log is supposed to be submerged in water (the ones I have seen are for snakes, lizards, etc.)

Those fish don't look like they have a chance!

[Mnuemonix]

Thanks everybody!

Yeah, that is one of the tanks that you think it is.

Thanks for the heads up, though, I'll be sure to keep a close watch on that panel...And I was a tad worried about the limited water level myself, but when I'm finished I'll have around a foot deep of water.

And you're correct about the log as well...I got it a couple of years ago and wasn't sure how long it would last in water, but it's been suprisingly resiliant (spelling?), and it's been kind of like a Snoopy Doghouse for him...He sleeps under it, and lounges on top of it....But it is going to be replaced next payday with one of those floating basking areas you guys showed me.

And I also plan on getting some rocks to line the bottom with...I felt so bad seeing him slip slide along the bottom without being able to grasp onto stuff....But I'll make sure they're too large to eat.

I think I'll also get some fake plants...I believe I heard mention that at first he may try to eat them, but once he realizes they aren't real he'll stop.

Is there a special kind that I could get that might be less toxic than others in case he does decide to taste test?

Also - He LOVES his basking light....He goes straight to the top of his log withint 10 minutes of me turning it on.

How long should I keep it on for him during the day?

[Mnuemonix]

I've also noticed a DRASTIC change in his behavior.

He's a LOT more active now.

And also I don't know if it's me and I'm crazy, but it already seems as if his coloring in his head and face, and legs are getting brighter....His green's are darker, and his yellows seem more vibrant.

Am I crazy? I'm thinking it's just having a light shine directly on him it just looks like he's brighter...But my wife said the same thing.

[missibsu]

As far as rocks go, if you aren't buying the large river rock, and looking at some of the smaller rocks, check the craft section of some stores as well as the pet department. In my experience, the ones in the craft section are cheaper.

Any type of aquarium plant is ok for use. You can also use plants from the craft section, but make sure they don't have any metal in them. Some people say that they plastic plants are easier to clean than the silky ones, but I haven't had any problems with my silk ones.

Lights should be on a normal daily cycle, just like we experience with the sun. 8-12 hours.

[Mnuemonix]

Thanks for the tips!

Man he just loves the light...As soon as I turn it on in the morning he's under it until I turn it off when I get home from work.

And then when I turn it off he turns and gives me this look like "TURN IT BACK ON!!!"

[steve]

Thats better than the "Keep feeding me" look. Really.

[Mnuemonix]

Thats better than the "Keep feeding me" look. Really.

I've gotten that look before too; it's not pleasant

Okay, so this morning was a real kicker...I went into the computer room (where the turtle tank is kept), and before I turned anything on I noticed that he was already looking up at me ready to climb up his log and sit in the light...I got a kick out of that...It's as if he knew it was time to turn the light on .

He's been SOOO much more active since he got his new home...And he moves a lot faster as well....I think he's ready for deep water.

[reptilegrrl]

I know I am late chiming in here, but glass tanks are not the only option. A stock tank or pond form will be less expensive and easier to work with. A stock tank or pond form is much lighter, so it's easier to clean and maneuver.

[tissigirl]

Those are great pics! I wish I had taken pictures when I upgraded my turtle's tank. I put his new tank in a different area, so I was able to get it completely set up before I put him in it. He was so cute though!

I put him on his basking dock to start (remember, I had him in his old tank for about 15 years, so it was all he knew!). He stood there for a minute, then walked to the end of it. He dunked his head under water, then looked up, looked under the water, then looked, up. Over and over again, like is there really this much room in here for me? LOL It was so cute! But I didn't have a digital camera at the time, so no pictures for evidence.

I've noticed that Mr. Turtle has been much more active as well since his tank upgrade. Although, he did entertain himself with diving techniques in his old tank that he can no longer do in this one.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your upgrades!