Habitat - Indoor :: New terrapin home is nearly ready!

[Terrapin UK]

Well - it won't be long now!

I have the filter, the mercury vapour light, the new heater, some fake plants, bits of slate and driftwood, and the tank is arriving this Sunday.

I'm still undecided on the basking area though! I was going to make a land area above the water in the tank, but I think I might go to my original idea and have it to one side. That way I can fill the tank almost right to the top, giving them 24" deep to swim in.

I'll take some pics when it's all done. Hopefully it will be before Christmas!!!!!!

[Terrapin UK]

Ooh - I forgot to add:

I am wanting to create a hiding place, and was wondering how big it has to be in relation to the terrapin. does there need to be lots of extra "headroom", or will it be okay with a low ceiling height, provided it is wide enough for them to swim through? I don't want them getting stuck!

Cheers,

Liam.

[ellman605]

hmm, if you want to try this out, go for it, get a load of wood (enough to cover the top), make a platform to cover the top, cut a square or two (size of turtle) put a ramp there, and then cage the top off, then its lots of swim, quick ascii diagram.
| ___ |
| / \ |
| ___ |
|_____*(___)_|
|_____ ____|
| / |
| / |
| / |
| / |
|____________|
| |
| |
| Water |
| |
|____________|

[ellman605]

wah, that didnt work!!!!!!

[Terrapin UK]

That is the best diagram I have ever seen!

[steve]

I use my old basking area as hiding area


It has enough horizontal room, though not much vertical room. Having them get stuck anywhere is one of my primary concerns too.

Sonja has made a nice hiding area with artifical plants but I haven't seen many other hiding areas.

[ellman605]

i know, arent forums great for diagrams, or am i just the best arist ever, think i should publis my work? mabey my ascii turtle will work...
___
*(___)
/ \

long legged turtle? lol

i use a big log i found at wal mart for 20 bucks, and i made a little shell house yesterday from shells and silicone, http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ellman605 ... /my_photos there yaz go.

[ellman605]

btw, they like to sleep in that shell thing.

[steve]

i know, arent forums great for diagrams

try using "code", it should use a monospaced font, which is what you want for ascii art

[Terrapin UK]

I have a large piece of bogwood from a previous fishtank (28" long by about 10" wide). I was thinking of somehow using that, either wedging it in at an angle, or siliconing it to some rocks. I'll have to have a think!

[sonyj]

...Sonja has made a nice hiding area with artificial plants but I haven't seen many other hiding areas.

Thanks, Steve. I did make Koopa a plant rest that suctions to the side of the tank as an experiment and it's become his favorite spot to swim to when scared or to sleep in at night. There's a picture in the photo gallery under the topic of "homemade plant rest" if you want to see it. I know as he gets bigger I'll probably have to redo it or add a second one beside it.

[Terrapin UK]

Well, the tank is here!

It's funny, but even though I have measured and planned for it (48"x24"x24"), you don't realise how big tanks are until they arrive!

The water, plants, stones, filter and heater are in, and I plan on putting the terrapins in tomorrow after work, by which time the water temp should be right.

I'll update tomorrow!

[ellman605]

Code: Select all

_____
       *(_____)
          /        \

turtle!!!!!!!!

uh....i'm not sure what you would want to do, check wal-mart, they have lots of aquariums stuff .

[ellman605]

ack, my turtle is deformed!!!!

[Terrapin UK]

Couple of pics:





The cables etc. will be arranged a bit more neatly tomorrow! I've got the basking area and perspex perimeter to go on too, and a couple of more plants and stones. Then that should be it!!