Habitat - Indoor :: Quarantine Question

[flutterby]

Simon has been in "quarantine" for going on two months now. Simon is in a 30L and Scooter is in a 100g Stock tank. Since I have another month before the 90 days are up, I'm planning on how I'm going to do this.

I don't want either of them to get hurt. Scoot is very shy and Simon is very outgoing. Do I put Simon in Scoots tank so they are on his territory? Do I put them in the Rubbermade container so they're on "neutral" ground?

There are so many questions running through my head, I just want to be prepared.

[steve]

Will they both eventually stay in the stock tank? If so, I would put Simon in the stock tank for maybe an hour or 2 a day to let them become familiar with each other. Taking them both out on to the floor/lawn might also be an idea. My turts have never shown real aggressive territorial behaviour but I would think a slow introduction is the way to go.

[marisa]

Ideally it would have been good to put them both in something that would be new to both of them. But the 100-gallon stock tank will be their home? If so, it's good that it's Scooter's (the shy one) territory now and that Simon is the one being introduced to the tank. How long has the stock tank been Scooters? If they're of comparable size, I don't think you have to worry too much about slow introductions. You're likely to see a bit of posturing no matter what--especially when they each realize there's another turtle in the tank. Or, nothing may happen. It would be good, though, to have places each could go to for privacy (I think you probably have already). Just keep an eye on them, especially in the beginning, to see how things are going.

[flutterby]

We bought the stocktank about 2 weeks ago, so he's still kind of adjusting. I had to cleaned Scooters tank and while I cleaned Simons tank I figured it would be a chance for them to get to know each other. So far so good. Simon spent the first few minutes sniffing around. But now Scoot is following him around like a little kid, has to do whatever he does.

[marisa]

BTW, good on the stock tank! Is it a Rubbermaid? If so, are you using the Aquaclear with it?

[flutterby]

Yeah its a rubbermaid, Eric kinda trimmed the one edge to put the aquaclear in and I got an extention tube from my mom and no problems so far. (except that I had a thermometer break, thank god it was a mercury free one)

[marisa]

I asked because I think I'm going to have to put an Aquaclear on a 50-gallon Rubbermaid--and I noticed it doesn't want to fit. Did the rim have to be cut off in the spot where the filter hangs? I was thinking of somehow making a "platform" to hang the filter on and extend it away from the side of the tank a bit...

[flutterby]

He used a hacksaw (or something like it) to trim the rim right above where the plug is... he also got a faucet for an outdoor hose fitted in so I can drain it outside with my hose instead of syphoning it.